Vancouver Canucks to Hire Travis Green as Head Coach

The Vancouver Canucks are expected to announce the signing of Travis Green for the head coach position within the next couple of days.

The (admittedly short) wait has an end — the Vancouver Canucks have a new head coach. According to Bob McKenzie, the Canucks are finalising a deal with current AHL Utica Comets head coach Travis Green.

There was a long list of potential candidates, as TCW‘s Tyler Shipley outlined here. Most of them are more experienced coaches like Marc Crawford, Darryl Sutter or Lindy Ruff. The Canucks, however, opted for someone that has never coached an NHL team before.

Green, 46, started his coaching career with the WHL Portland Winterhawks in 2012-13, where he promptly won the league title and made it to the Memorial Cup final. The following season, Green joined Vancouver’s AHL affiliate, the Utica Comets.

With the Comets, Green was quite successful as well, considering the roster quality he had to work with. Green led the Comets to one division title, two playoff appearances and one Calder Cup final appearance.

So now it’s Vancouver.

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It makes sense for fans to want someone with more experience behind the bench. After all, the Canucks need someone who knows how to shape a winning team. The upcoming few seasons will likely be painful and dedicated to prospect development, so implementing a winning culture soon would be great.

But, speaking of prospect development, Green might just be the perfect guy. He is used to coaching younger teams in the WHL and AHL. His first clubs were both focused on player development. He knows how to work with young teams and how to deal with all issues that may arise.

Unlike former head coach Willie Desjardins, Green is likely to play the ‘kids.’

Not everyone is happy with Green as head coach, but it was probably the right choice. The Canucks have nothing to lose — except for Green, who might have left for a different NHL gig had he not gotten an opportunity in Vancouver.

Either it works out, or it doesn’t. To be completely honest, Green is unlikely to be around for the next two decades. He gets a chance to prove he can coach in the NHL, and the Canucks get someone who fits their current situation. It’s a win-win.

Next: Why Travis Green Is Right for the Job

Even if Green got fired sooner rather than later, because the Canucks can’t make it out of the basement, this is a decision they won’t regret.

The Canucks finally have a Green Man again. Hehe… Sorry.