Canucks fire GM Nonis - NHL - Yahoo! Sports

Canucks fire GM Nonis - NHL - Yahoo! Sports.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (Ticker) - The Vancouver Canucks on Monday fired Dave Nonis after three seasons as the team’s general manager.

Nonis was promoted from the position of senior vice president and director of hockey operations to general manager, replacing Brian Burke in May 2004.

Vancouver struggled under Nonis’ watch, failing to secure a postseason berth in two of the last three seasons.

After enjoy their best regular season in franchise history in 2006-07 by recording 105 points and clinching the Northwest Division title, the Canucks finished with 88 points this campaign and failed to qualify for the postseason.

“The decision to relieve Dave of his duties was difficult,” Canucks chairman Francesco Aquilini said. “We want to thank Dave for the many contributions he has made helping to build our organization during his tenure. However, I think this important change in leadership is critical to the future of the team and the direction we need to take. It’s not acceptable to our fans or to us as owners that our team isn’t in the playoffs.

“As owners we made a commitment to deliver the kind of hockey our fans deserve. At the same time, with leadership comes responsibility. So, our search begins today for a new general manager, and our focus going forward is on a winning season in 2008-09.”

Wow...very unexpected.  Of all the people taking the blame in the past couple weeks, most pundits felt Nonis was safe, as he had played the purse strings fairly tight during his reign.  I'm floored...

But, I am wondering how far Vigneault is behind him??  GM's and coaches usually go hand in hand and Viggy was Nonis' guy. 

Let's see...Linden as GM?????   That may not be too far of a stretch...but, I'd much prefer him behind the bench.