It’s not like Gaunce was on the team. If your first professional hockey coach doesn’t fight for you to be in the lineup and on the roster it probably means Green didn’t like Gaunce’s game all that much.
I don't think Gaunce is worth Green's job, in Green's eyes... even if Green liked Gaunce as a player. It would be clean and easy if Green didn't. I don't know what Green feels about Gaunce. Maybe Utica fans can bring some foresight. I wouldn't expect Green to fight for Gaunce. I wouldn't expect Green to fight too hard for anyone. I expect Green to toll the company line.
What player would Green fight for? This player doesn't exist... as no player on the roster or in the system is worth Green being a dissenting voice... particularly a 4th liner. We know this regime hates dissenting voices. We know this regime requires everyone to share the same vision. If Green fought for Gaunce, he lost... and maybe Green did fight for him. We don't know that he didn't.
But, yes, it is possible that Green just sees things the same way Benning and Linden do... I mean, just Benning now. Linden fought and lost... along with a long line of others who fought for something.