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CanuckJohnny · 07-31-2023, 08:21 AM

Canucks part ways with Dale Hunter

The Vancouver Canucks and Dale Hunter have mutually agreed to move on after one season. The Canucks lost in the first round of the playoffs after having a reasonably good season and winning their (admittedly mediocre) division. There were reports out of Vancouver that Hunter was frustrated with the hand he was dealt by GM Trevor Linden when the executive moved out valuable contributors like Shawn Matthias, Luca Sbisa, Dustin Jeffrey and Derek Dorsett around the deadline. This is the second time Hunter has joined an NHL franchise for only one year before returning to his beloved London Knights, doing the same with the Capitals in 2012.

Trevor Linden had this to say to the media: "we took some time as a management group after our round one exit, conducted interviews with all of our players and staff, and spent some time in meetings considering our vision and choosing a direction to go. We really appreciated the time Dale Hunter gave to this organization and the success we had this season, but it was deemed to be mutually beneficial to move on from each other at this time."

Though no official announcements as to his replacement have been made, sources within the team suggest that Dan Bylsma, hired on as an assistant last year, is probably in line for a promotion to head coach.

Assistant Coach Doug Lidster was also released from his duties. He had handled the defense for the previous coaching staff, and while Bylsma had taken over that primary role, Lidster had continued to help with coaching the blueline and the penalty kill. With the rumours that Bylsma will be soon promoted to head coach, many had assumed that Lidster would move back into his role running the defense, but Trevor Linden and his management team clearly have different plans.

07-31-2023, 08:21 AM	#48
CanuckJohnny All Star Reserve Join Date: Apr 2022 Posts: 554	Canucks part ways with Dale Hunter The Vancouver Canucks and *Dale Hunter* have mutually agreed to move on after one season. The Canucks lost in the first round of the playoffs after having a reasonably good season and winning their (admittedly mediocre) division. There were reports out of Vancouver that Hunter was frustrated with the hand he was dealt by GM Trevor Linden when the executive moved out valuable contributors like Shawn Matthias, Luca Sbisa, Dustin Jeffrey and Derek Dorsett around the deadline. This is the second time Hunter has joined an NHL franchise for only one year before returning to his beloved London Knights, doing the same with the Capitals in 2012. Trevor Linden had this to say to the media: "we took some time as a management group after our round one exit, conducted interviews with all of our players and staff, and spent some time in meetings considering our vision and choosing a direction to go. We really appreciated the time Dale Hunter gave to this organization and the success we had this season, but it was deemed to be mutually beneficial to move on from each other at this time." Though no official announcements as to his replacement have been made, sources within the team suggest that *Dan Bylsma, hired on as an assistant last year, is probably in line for a promotion to head coach. Assistant Coach Doug Lidster* was also released from his duties. He had handled the defense for the previous coaching staff, and while Bylsma had taken over that primary role, Lidster had continued to help with coaching the blueline and the penalty kill. With the rumours that Bylsma will be soon promoted to head coach, many had assumed that Lidster would move back into his role running the defense, but Trevor Linden and his management team clearly have different plans.