Canucks fire coach, GM in big management shakeup

Travis Green Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports

Canucks fire head coach Travis Green, GM Jim Benning in big management shakeup

By Chelena Goldman | Last updated 12/6/21

The Vancouver Canucks did some serious housecleaning over the weekend, firing general manager Jim Benning, assistant GM John Weisbrod, head coach Travis Green and assistant coach Nolan Baumgartner.

Francesco Aquilini, Chairman and Governor NHL, Vancouver Canucks, announced today significant changes to the team’s front office and coaching staff, and confirmed a search for new Hockey Operations leadership is underway.

DETAILS | https://t.co/J3rbN9Rmp3 pic.twitter.com/AGCKoS58wO
— Vancouver #Canucks (@Canucks) December 6, 2021

The firings came as no big surprise, given the disappointing season the Canucks are having. The team has struggled mightily for a few seasons now and is currently in last place in the Pacific Division, with stars like Brock Boeser and Elias Petterson not producing the star-like stats.

Benning had come under fire previously when the team has struggled, which has been a lot over the past few years. But things have gotten so bad that fans had started cheering for his dismissal.

The #FireBenning chant is happening. pic.twitter.com/JnLO0H9T54
— Faber (@ChrisFaber39) November 18, 2021

Of course, these posts had to be filled promptly, and Vancouver has slotted NHL regular Bruce Boudreau in as bench boss and Stan Smyl as interim GM. Boudreau most recently coached the Minnesota Wild and was fired in 2020 after the team went 27-23-7. He has a 567-302-115 record over four NHL coaching jobs.

Former Canucks winger Scott Walker will serve as interim assistant coach under Boudreau.

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