Confirmed with Link: Canucks announce Stan Smyl as VP, Hockey Operations

[quat]

I don't care that much but devil's advocate, being around for a long time doesn't mean he has good judgement or good ideas to contribute. Being a good person doesn't necessarily equate to smart contributions. He's PROBABLY harmless, but I'd be equally happy with an iron clad rule that all we value is excellence at any role, on the ice or in management, and if you're going to be employed in a management / leadership role then you better be best of breed in your position, otherwise you start to make allowances for a Smyl...and then a Delorme...and then a Linden and a Benning.

I was listening to a couple interviews with Tom Dundon and Bill Foley and it struck me how they were clear-eyed about not being sentimental and setting a culture of high standards and the impact that ripples throughout an organization. I think the Canucks could use a lot of that, and hopefully Rutherford brings that in.

I agree. Smyl has had some responsibilities in the past and he failed miserably trying to fulfill them. Being a figure head seems odd, but clearly they like him in that role. Delorme is an entirely different kettle of fish because he's proven useless at every job he's been given and yet he remains. Why? I simply don't understand how someone with such a track record of abysmal failure continues to survive as though he's a government, bureaucratic flunky. Five seasons(?) with the Canucks as a somewhat marginal player and has been the one constant over two decades of drafting failures. That man needs to write a book!

 

[MS]

Funny thing is in 19-20 the media actually thought the team was playing Travis Green hockey. Nobody thought we lacked identity then.

These are all just words. If you're winning by playing a certain way you have an identity.

People looking at results over how the actual games developed thought we had an identity.

The 19-20 team sucked at ES and was carried by Vezina-level goaltending and some talented young players lighting it up on the PP.

 

[logan5]

Looks like Smyl is the new Benning.

 

[Intangibos]

Did you catch him on Halford and Brough show this morning? Made a point of saying the team lacked any identity the last few years and wasnt tough to play against. Maybe not full blown anti Benning but wasnt a fan of what Jimbo did

I didn't see that, but it sounds similar to his intermission interview during his brief stint as interim GM. I interpret it as him not being a fan of the results, but I still think he was on board with the "process". His interview where he talked about the Canucks being a good team that doesn't play the right way and needs to "initiate" reeked of old-timey dinosaur thinking how hockey should be played. It's not even that he's entirely wrong about the Canucks being a passive team, it just didn't seem like there was any depth to his opinion other than the surface level "being tough to play against" and "taking it to the other team".

Obviously I could be wrong, who knows what goes on behind closed doors or inside his head, but that's just the impression I got and how I interpret it.

 

[m9]

I can't say for sure if Smyl has been "anti-Benning" for a long time.

But, there's no doubt based on what he's said these last two weeks that he either pushed or was on board with Benning being fired at the very end here. I kind of got the impression he wanted to see some changes in the offseason, but maybe I'm reading too much into it.

 

[nergish]

And just to clarify: having someone like Smyl around the franchise as some kind of goodwill ambassador or community relationship guy is fine in my books. Organizations should have those people.

Having the Old Guard in key management positions just because they're you're old soldiers, not so much.

Yeah, this.

I'm happy to have Steamer around the team, but the dude really should not be making key decisions for this organization.
Listening to him speak is rough. Rougher than Jet Black Jim Benning, y'know?

While I'm not a young guy myself (31 years old), I can honestly say I've never even seen a single clip of Stan Smyl playing hockey.
Everybody tells me he was a true warrior, and I believe it. But over the years of seeing him in interviews and stuff, this guy is not made for management at the Pro level.

 

[Bubbles]

I agree. Smyl has had some responsibilities in the past and he failed miserably trying to fulfill them. Being a figure head seems odd, but clearly they like him in that role. Delorme is an entirely different kettle of fish because he's proven useless at every job he's been given and yet he remains. Why? I simply don't understand how someone with such a track record of abysmal failure continues to survive as though he's a government, bureaucratic flunky. Five seasons(?) with the Canucks as a somewhat marginal player and has been the one constant over two decades of drafting failures. That man needs to write a book!

I always equate Delorme to that idiot slots manager in Casino. Just can't get rid of him, the best thing to do is to move him to a spot where he's not involved in hockey ops. (a la Smyl).

Delorme is such a big part of the alumni that there would be a huge uproar amongst the many Old Boys Canucks if he was straight up shitcanned. Also, the Canucks are wary of firing someone with his unique background.

I just don't want to go back to the days of drafting slow plugs like Taylor Ellington and Dan Gendur.

 

[quat]

I always equate Delorme to that idiot slots manager in Casino. Just can't get rid of him, the best thing to do is to move him to a spot where he's not involved in hockey ops. (a la Smyl).

Delorme is such a big part of the alumni that there would be a huge uproar amongst the many Old Boys Canucks if he was straight up shitcanned. Also, the Canucks are wary of firing someone with his unique background.

I just don't want to go back to the days of drafting slow plugs like Taylor Ellington and Dan Gendur.

It's likely the case that both are great guys to have around, but as others have said, it seems like such a dated approach. I suppose there could be reasons we're no aware of, but as long as they don't have any real influence on managing the team, then I agree that's a pretty harmless situation.

 

[lawrence]

Looks like Smyl is the new Benning.

wait what? he's not the gm.

 

[rypper]

Looks like Smyl is the new Benning.

Yeah not seeing the comparison at all

 

[lawrence]

Anyways congratulations on his promotion. Best of luck Stan.

 

[2 posts and a bar]

This is a good thing.Jim R talked about mentoring people in his press conference and will help Stan become a better executive

 

[iceburg]

Yeah, this.

I'm happy to have Steamer around the team, but the dude really should not be making key decisions for this organization.
Listening to him speak is rough. Rougher than Jet Black Jim Benning, y'know?

While I'm not a young guy myself (31 years old), I can honestly say I've never even seen a single clip of Stan Smyl playing hockey.
Everybody tells me he was a true warrior, and I believe it. But over the years of seeing him in interviews and stuff, this guy is not made for management at the Pro level.

First, it has to be said...you're young.

Second, Smyl was never the most skilled guy but he was tough as nails and was absolutely the hardest worker most nights. Using the old cliche, he dragged his teamates into the fight. Really easy player to like. It all resulted in decent offensive numbers for him though for mostly bad teams. Around a point per game during his prime (albeit in the 1980s) and >1500 pims for his career.

He's not to most well spoken but I think he's a step up. What he does bring is an infectious attitude that will do well for the team as they try to rebuild a winning culture. He might not be the outward facing guy for the organization but I firmly believe he is a solid addition to the leadership group.

 

[MarkMM]

Looks like Smyl is the new Benning.

Who'd Smyl over pay and give NTC's to?

How many first round draft picks did he trade away for a rental?

Which prospects did he trade away for duds?

 

[RobertKron]

This is a good thing.Jim R talked about mentoring people in his press conference and will help Stan become a better executive

Smyl's career record as GM is better than Rutherford's so maybe it should be the other way around.

 

[F A N]

First, it has to be said...you're young.

Second, Smyl was never the most skilled guy but he was tough as nails and was absolutely the hardest worker most nights. Using the old cliche, he dragged his teamates into the fight. Really easy player to like. It all resulted in decent offensive numbers for him though for mostly bad teams. Around a point per game during his prime (albeit in the 1980s) and >1500 pims for his career.

He's not to most well spoken but I think he's a step up. What he does bring is an infectious attitude that will do well for the team as they try to rebuild a winning culture. He might not be the outward facing guy for the organization but I firmly believe he is a solid addition to the leadership group.

Smyl has been part of the Canucks "front office" for decades. If his infectious attitude didn't make an impact then it won't make an impact now.

Smyl is well liked for sure and he proudly represents the Vancouver Canucks. His number is hung up in the rafters (despite arguments that he doesn't deserve it).

With that said, we know absolutely next to nothing about how Smyl thinks the game. Talking about identify and being hard to play against doesn't say anything. In this day and age, it's easy to think of him as a dinosaur: "If I’m lining up against you, I’m going to make it as miserable as possible. I think that’s an important area and that’s an area where we’ve got to start it.” What does that mean? Does he mean scoring a goal against you? Dishing out physical punishment?

Personally, I think Smyl will once again be sidelined, only this time he has a fancy title.

 

[iceburg]

Smyl has been part of the Canucks "front office" for decades. If his infectious attitude didn't make an impact then it won't make an impact now.

Smyl is well liked for sure and he proudly represents the Vancouver Canucks. His number is hung up in the rafters (despite arguments that he doesn't deserve it).

With that said, we know absolutely next to nothing about how Smyl thinks the game. Talking about identify and being hard to play against doesn't say anything. In this day and age, it's easy to think of him as a dinosaur: "If I’m lining up against you, I’m going to make it as miserable as possible. I think that’s an important area and that’s an area where we’ve got to start it.” What does that mean? Does he mean scoring a goal against you? Dishing out physical punishment?

Personally, I think Smyl will once again be sidelined, only this time he has a fancy title.

Have you played hockey? Smyl isn't the guy who explains the strategies...he's the guy who bulls ahead and forces the other team to capitulate. How that translates into management is a question. Having him in the org to promote that character is gold.

 

[Hit the post]

Have you played hockey? Smyl isn't the guy who explains the strategies...he's the guy who bulls ahead and forces the other team to capitulate. How that translates into management is a question. Having him in the org to promote that character is gold.

I think the main difference between Smyl & Benning is that one guy was the face of the franchise for a number of years as a player & team captain. A guy who bled for the organization. Now while I’m not a particular fan of this promotion, I’m willing to give him the benefit of the doubt for now.

 

[iceburg]

I think the main difference between Smyl & Benning is that one guy was the face of the franchise for a number of years as a player & team captain. A guy who bled for the organization. Now while I’m not a particular fan of this promotion, I’m willing to give him the benefit of the doubt for now.

Smyl will not be the innovative guy who will come up with transformative ideas. He will be the heart that tells you why it's necessary.

 

[archangel2]

Good for Steamer, the winningest GM in Canucks’ history.

can someone post all the different titles he has had since he retired?

 

[Mr. Canucklehead]

can someone post all the different titles he has had since he retired?

AFAIK -

1991 - 1999 - NHL Assistant Coach
1999 - 2004 - AHL Head Coach
2005 - 2008 - NHL Director of Player Development
2008 - 2014 - NHL Senior Advisor
2014 - 2020 - NHL Senior Advisor and NHL Director of Player Development
2020 - 2021 - Senior Advisor
2021 to Present - VP of Hockey Operations

 

[archangel2]

AFAIK -

1991 - 1999 - NHL Assistant Coach
1999 - 2004 - AHL Head Coach
2005 - 2008 - NHL Director of Player Development
2008 - 2014 - NHL Senior Advisor
2014 - 2020 - NHL Senior Advisor and NHL Director of Player Development
2020 - 2021 - Senior Advisor
2021 to Present - VP of Hockey Operations

you missing his stint in the IHL where he Canuck legend Corey Scwab in net for 50 games

 

[F A N]

you missing his stint in the IHL where he Canuck legend Corey Scwab in net for 50 games

Corey Schwab was the original Alien.

His last two seasons in the NHL before he retired (this includes winning the Stanley Cup as well as winning his last game in OT 2-1):

2002-03	New Jersey Devils	NHL	11	1.47	.933	1	5-3-1	|	Playoffs	2	0.00	1.000	0	0-0-0
2003-04	New Jersey Devils	NHL	3	0.64	.971	1	2-0-1

[TBODY] [/TBODY]

The guy just got better and better with age. Full credit to Smyl, Quinn, and Ley.

 

[mathonwy]

I think the main difference between Smyl & Benning is that one guy was the face of the franchise for a number of years as a player & team captain. A guy who bled for the organization. Now while I’m not a particular fan of this promotion, I’m willing to give him the benefit of the doubt for now.

Steamer is a go with a flow stay employed say as little as possible type of guy.

Now in a VP role, hopefully he still remembers how shit was supposed to operate from his time under Gilly and can bring those values to the forefront of this franchise again.

 

[F A N]

Steamer is a go with a flow stay employed say as little as possible type of guy.

Now in a VP role, hopefully he still remembers how shit was supposed to operate from his time under Gilly and can bring those values to the forefront of this franchise again.

Steamer will be fine. He's a VPOHO who can't get fired by the POHO.