Vancouver Canucks: Coaching Controversy Far From Over
By David Joun
Case for Marc Crawford
Say what you want about Marc Crawford — he has never had a losing year in the six years as the head coach of the Vancouver Canucks from 1999 to 2006. More recently speaking, his 125-47-22 record in his past three years as the head coach of the Zurich Lions in the Swiss Elite League should tell you that he is ready to return to the NHL.
Well, he is. I wouldn’t put his name on here otherwise. Let’s get right to the point.
History and Experience
Well, it was Crawford who planted the young Sedins in the Canucks organization when they came in for the 2000-2001 NHL season. Look where the Sedins are now. But there is more.
Also just wrapping up his season in Zurich, Auston Matthews is coming over to North America. Who says Crawford can’t wait until the NHL Draft is over and goes along as a package with Matthews to stay with his star player?
Who says that can’t be the Canucks?
Sportsnet’s Joe Pack has a great piece about Marc Crawford and his NHL experience with young elite talent. On his list are Matthews, the Sedins, Peter Forsberg, Anze Kopitar, and Jamie Benn. Brock Boeser would certainly love to be on that list. The young Canucks lineup would love to take a shot at the honours, too.Steals like
Steals like Ben Hutton and Boeser don’t happen every day. Let’s get Crawford to nurture these players properly.
The Timing of it All
Before anything, here is a tweet from TSN1040’s segment with Crawford.
Is it too much to ask or could the Canucks ask Crawford to take a “hometown discount” of sorts to return to the Canucks organization in the form of staying in the AHL for just one year?
More from Canucks News
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- Canucks send Jack Rathbone and Vasily Podkolzin down to Abbotsford
- Canucks acquire Ethan Bear, Lane Pederson from Carolina
- Brock Boeser, Curtis Lazar placed on injury reserve
- Canucks officially unveil Reverse Retro jersey in latest aesthetic change
We looked at how Travis Green could be coveted. Instead of flipping Willie Desjardins for Crawford, how about flipping Green for Crawford? This allows the Canucks to stay true to their commitment to stay with Willie for at least one more year while allowing Crawford to adjust to the NHL again. You know, the NHL has changed a lot since Crawford last coached in North America.
Add to the win-win situation the fact that the Comets could benefit from a coach like Crawford prospects-wise. Players who are set to be with the Comets next year — guys like Jordan Subban, Cole Cassels, maybe Jared McCann, and maybe Thatcher Demko — will greatly benefit from it. Especially in the case of Subban and McCann — wonder what McCann could be under Crawford’s special tutelage.
And then Crawford could come up to the NHL in 2017-18 alongside Subban and McCann, joining Boeser, Demko, and many others. Certainly sounds like a plan that is a win-win for everyone involved. Green gets his promotion to the NHL, Willie stays the full length of his three-year contract, Crawford gets time to adjust to the NHL, and the Canucks reap dividends with their youth.
Next: Case for WILLIE DESJARDINS