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Vancouver Canucks’ makeover continues with front office, assistant coaches

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In my opinion, the Vancouver Canucks should look at the 2009-10 season as a considerable success.

Yes, I know that the images that stick out in most hockey fans’ minds involve the team floundering against a clearly superior Chicago Blackhawks club. They certainly didn’t seem like they were “all there” and that probably strikes many as a sign of organizational (and roster) weakness. There is no denying the fact that their season ended on a sour note.

Yet, I’ll also point out that this team overachieved to win their division and earn some individual accolades. Let’s not forget that the Canucks faced a historic road trip, playing a staggering amount of games on the road before and after the Olympic Games. Instead of falling apart, the team banded together. Henrik Sedin won the Hart Trophy and a few other players made resounding breakthroughs in their respective games. In the big picture, the team has a lot to be proud of.

Still, it’s clear that the Canucks decided to make significant changes. The Vancouver Sun details some of the front office shuffling going on (the article expands on the higher-level moves), but the most important on-ice decisions will involve their coaching staff. Here is a little more information regarding who might back up head coach Alain Vigneault next season.

The changes come the same week the Canucks rebranded their arena, and the week after free agency allowed the hockey team to boost its lineup.

But the makeup of the coaching staff is an unresolved issue.

General manager Mike Gillis confirmed this week that former Anaheim Ducks’ assistant coach Newell Brown had been interviewed but did not specify for what position. The Sun has learned that Walter, hired two years ago, may not remain with the team.

Head coach Alain Vigneault’s assistants were offered contract extensions in April, but the Canucks’ failure to announce their hockey staff for next season led to speculation that changes were coming. The first one, three weeks ago, saw Dallas-based goaltending consultant Ian Clarke replaced by Rollie Melanson.