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Gillis says ‘significant changes’ coming in Vancouver

Mike Gillis

Canucks general manager Mike Gillis addressed reporters Thursday in Vancouver, two days after his team was swept out of the playoffs by the San Jose Sharks.

After making it to Game 7 of the Stanley Cup finals in 2011, it was Vancouver’s second straight first-round exit.

As a result, Gillis says the organization needs a reset, as occurred five years ago when he was hired.

Some notes:

--- If there was one theme from today’s press conference, it’s that Gillis believes the game has changed, and not for the better. Skill, he believes, is out. Dump-and-chase-and-battle-in-the-corners, he believes, is back. Hence, he thinks the Canucks need to “recognize the way the game’s going to be played” and “make the changes and adjustments necessary to compete for the Stanley Cup.”

--- Gillis says to expect “a couple of significant changes,” though he wouldn’t say for sure if one of them would be a new coach. Alain Vigneault will be part of an upcoming “thorough review” of every element of the organization.

--- Will Roberto Luongo be back with the Canucks next season? “I think it’s unlikely,” said Gillis.

--- Gillis thinks the Sedins, 32, can still be major contributors despite their advancing age. However, “We have to support them better...we are going to have to get younger.”

--- Gillis called 2013 “the most challenging season in my tenure here, for sure.”