Linden (l), along with his vision for rebuilding the Canucks, was rejected by team ownershipGETTY IMAGES
Canucks President of Hockey Operations Trevor Linden "is out" after there had been a "falling out" between him and the ownership over the future direction of the team, according to Patrick Johnston of Vancouver PROVINCE. Linden met with ownership in recent days and "pointed to how several other teams had conducted their rebuilds." That vision was "rejected, apparently." Canucks Chair Francesco Aquilini said on Twitter that GM Jim Benning will "take over as head of the team's hockey operations" (Vancouver PROVINCE, 7/26). In Vancouver, Jason Botchford notes the split leaves the Canucks "looking fragile and thin on front-office personnel." At some point, the Canucks will "look to replace Linden but are primed now to give it a go with Benning in charge." One "name to watch" for in the future is Panthers Senior Advisor to the President of Hockey Operations Chris Pronger who is on a "fast track to a prominent front-office job in the NHL" similar to that of Maple Leafs President Brendan Shanahan. The Aquilinis "love big names and buzz and Pronger would provide that without really being a threat to Benning because Pronger has little experience in doing the type of work Benning has on his resume" (Vancouver PROVINCE, 7/26).
CAN NO LONGER WAIT: SPORTSNET.ca's Iain MacIntyre noted the Canucks' owners "want to win now; Linden has been preaching patience in the Canucks’ rebuild since he first uttered the R-word two seasons ago." Linden "wasn’t worried about winning next season; the owners are." But whatever the optics, the Aquilini family "gave Linden time and latitude to rebuild the Canucks and revolutionize their scouting and player development departments, and are invested enough in the rebuild" that Linden’s hand-picked GM, Benning, was "signed to a three-year contract extension last winter." Linden leaves with the "worst of the rebuild over." Next season "could be bleak again." However, things are "soon going to be better for the Canucks" (SPORTSNET.ca, 7/25). SPORTSNET.ca's Mike Johnston noted Linden was "lauded for the work he's done to rebuild the team on the fly" (SPORTSNET.ca, 7/25).
