A (Small) Bag of Pucks: Vigneault, Mitchell & the Blame Game

Well, exactly what the Canucks don't need after yet another disparaging shootout loss is a rift between the head coach and a respected veteran leader. At such a crucial time of the season, this can only be bad news.

Flashback to a few years ago when a season full of expectations was circling around the toilet bowl and Todd Bertuzzi was clashing with the coach (Marc Crawford) and his teammates. The Canucks didn't make the playoffs, and Bertuzzi & Crawford were both sent packing at season's end.

This season, the sometimes-testy-but-lovable coach Alain Vigneault has been butting heads with defensive standout and dressing room leader Willie Mitchell. Although both deny the rift, it's hard to imagine that it isn't there. Earlier in the season, Vigneault called out Mitchell (and other players) in the media, causing Mitchell to voice his displeasure at the coach's choice to do so. Also, recently, Vigneault and Mitchell were reportedly at odds over when Mitchell would be able to return from his back-injury.

Vigneault was considered a genius last season for winning the division with a talent-less squad outside of Roberto Luongo. Is the honey moon over now? The Canucks have been toiling with substandard performances over the past five weeks. Even Luongo looks like he's in a funk. Who's at fault for the slide? Should we be panicking? SI.com's Alan Muir (yes, national coverage of our 'Nucks!) says we should be. On a side note, at least the Province is having fun with Vigenault!

Photo courtesy of Canucks.com