According to numerous reports, the Vancouver Canucks have replaced Travis Green with Bruce Boudreau as the team's head coach. Several other changes are believed to be in the works, most notably Jim Benning being relieved of his duties as general manager.

The Canucks have been a massive disappointment this season with an 8-15-2 record, last in the Pacific Division. Given the record compared to preseason expectations, this coaching change shouldn't be a huge surprise. Having said that, the real change for the Canucks is needed further up the organizational chart, considering the questionable signings and trades during the eight-year tenure of GM Jim Benning.

Whether they are ready or not (more likely the latter at this point), the Canucks have been positioned toward being competitive and not toward continuing a rebuild. Numerous Canucks have failed to reach their projected scoring paces, including Elias Pettersson (12 PTS in 25 GP), Brock Boeser (10 PTS in 22 GP), and even captain Bo Horvat (13 PTS in 25 GP). These players might have been waiting for a coaching change, and it's possible with all the underperforming from this season and last season that Green had lost the room. A new, enthusiastic voice in Boudreau might spark this team, at least in the short term.

Can Boudreau possibly fix stats like this? This will be a tall order.

Green was attempting a more defensive system this season, aided by the hiring of new assistant coach Brad Shaw. However, the awful penalty kill could be more of a personnel issue than a coaching issue. That's on Benning. If a revamp of the defense is needed, then it will be easier said than done. Oliver Ekman-Larsson is signed for six years at over $7 million, Tyler Myers is signed for three years at $6 million, and Tucker Poolman is signed for four years at $2.5 million. As talented as Thatcher Demko has shown to be, a poor defense and penalty kill will continue to limit his upside in fantasy leagues.

Boudreau has a reputation of being a solid regular-season coach who could not get it done in the playoffs. That may not matter, since the odds are stacked heavily against the Canucks making the playoffs at this point. The way the team is constructed, next season might be a huge challenge as well (Boudreau’s contract is believed to be through the 2022-23 season). But the coaching change could be a step in the right direction for a few notable players on fantasy teams, considering that Boudreau is also known as an offense-friendly coach.

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Players this helps, in order:

Pettersson

Boeser

Horvat

Demko

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Players this hurts, in order:

No one in particular

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Fantasy owners are discussing this coaching change in the Forum – give your take here!