Firing Ryan Walter and Hiring Newell Brown For Vancouver Canucks

The Vancouver Canucks have officially announced the firing of assistant coach Ryan Walter and the hiring of Newell Brown to the coaching staff.

Ryan Walter spent one season with the Canucks. He was brought into the staff to strengthen the leadership aspect of this team, in hopes that the team will be better mentally prepared come playoff time. Unfortunately, Walter's inexperience, compounding with his inability to communicate with players, led to the belief that the Canucks needed someone with more coaching finesse.

So who is Newell Brown?

Newell Brown is an NHL veteran coach compared to white mouse rookie Ryan Walter. He has  over 13 years of coaching experience in the National Hockey League, and spent the last five seasons as the assistant coach to Randy Carlyle. This is a guy who has gone through what it takes in the playoffs and ultimately win a Stanley Cup, Anaheim Ducks won it all in 2007. Newell Brown's other former employers included the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Chicago Blackhawks.

Note that this is certainly a Mike Gillis move. Ryan Walter was also brought in by general manager Mike Gillis, not coach Alain Vigneault. Wait and see how the second assistant coach who will be behind the bench pans out. Darryl Williams stays as the video coach. It's not easy for a team to attract a coach of this seniority to jump ships, but Newell must see something special to decide to join the Canucks.

Also announced today, Canucks extended associate coach Rick Bowness's contract on Tuesday. He will be back again as Vigneault's right-hand man.

Although the news broke today, and fans enjoy talking hockey in the middle of the hot summer season, this announcement cannot be a positive sign for Vancouver fans. Simply put, if a team were to find success in the long-run, they must be comfortable and stable from the management to the coaching staff.

However, what the fans are seeing is a revolving door for Canucks coaches, and not only does the loyal Canucks followers have to have adjustment period, the players may feel insecure and unfamiliar all of the sudden. What would Henrik and Daniel Sedin be thinking to themselves when Newell Brown orders them to shoot more?

Let's wait a few more weeks to see what the Canucks coaching staff has in store.

Thank you for reading.

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