While the NBA is taking the spotlight for coaching searches, the NHL has some highly touted vacancies looking to be filled. Multiple marquee teams are looking to hire coaches with big names and even bigger records. The Vancouver Canucks have spent the last few seasons as one of the best regular-season teams in the Western Conference, but fail when it comes to producing in the postseason. This led to the departure of head coach Alain Vigneault. Now, the Canucks are targeting newly fired New York Rangers hear coach, John Tortorella.
Vancouver has reached out to Tortorella about interest in filling the empty spot. Sources report he is currently the team's top candidate for head coach. Tortorella was originally fired from the Rangers after spending over four seasons with the team. New York was ousted by the Boston Bruins in the second round of the playoffs, ending his time with the team.
Vancouver has been searching for a head coach after the team was swept in the first round of the playoffs by the San Jose Sharks. It was their second-straight first round exit in the postseason. In the past few years, they have won just one playoff game. The team has made the playoffs the past five seasons and reached the Stanley Cup Finals back in 2011, losing in seven games.
General manager Mike Gillis would like to have coach in place by the time free agency begins in July. While he stresses the team is not going to rush the decision, they want someone hired sooner rather than later. He is hoping for a coach that will come in with a fresh perspective and a long-term vision.
"Whoever our next coach is will have to be able to work with young players because that's what the future holds both in terms of the collective bargaining agreement and where we are as a team. The next coach is going to have to have a track record or a commitment to have the features and characteristics he needs to make sure that it works for us," Gillis said.
The Canucks have also requested permission to speak with Los Angeles Kings associate head coach John Stevens. The Dallas Stars and New York Rangers are also pursing Stevens. Vancouver media have considered Stevens a top candidate but have not received word on whether or not the team will be allowed to interview him.
