Looking at the fantasy impact of Vancouver naming Travis Green head coach …

The Canucks are expected to officially announce Travis Green as their new head coach Wednesday. After a 15-year playing career in the NHL, Green was an assistant coach and assistant general manager with the Portland Winterhawks for five years beginning in 2008, and then was the head coach of the Utica Comets — Vancouver's AHL affiliate — the past four seasons.

Green's loyalty to the Canucks paid off, and he'll become the organization's 19th head coach. He's been on the NHL coaching radar for a few years, but the B.C. native has likely been holding out for this opportunity. It isn't out of the question to suggest he's the best coach currently outside the NHL, either.

Fantasy Impact

Over the past few seasons, we've seen young coaches break into the league with AHL and NCAA backgrounds and have a positive impact on their new clubs. In Green's case, it is particularly encouraging that he's not far removed from working with young players and already has a relationship with a number of current and future Canucks while coaching the Comets.          

This won't be a quick turnaround, and with Henrik Sedin, Daniel Sedin, Loui Eriksson and Alexander Edler still on big-money tickets for next year, there will be another season of insulation for the youngsters to work their way into — and up — the depth chart.

Stock piling young assets and potentially bottoming out to add a few lottery selections should be the goal. This obviously won't yield a favorable fantasy situation, but it's the easiest path to adding legitimate talent.

With Ryan Miller eyeing unrestricted free agency this summer, the plan for 2017-18 will become clear with the moves or lack thereof the Canucks make in goal. Turning to Jacob Markstrom as the No. 1 and as a stopgap until Thatcher Demko is ready seems like a logical move. However, if there are playoff aspirations, bringing in a more proven veteran will likely just lessen the odds at landing the No. 1 pick the next couple of years.

After watching Edmonton and Toronto take significant steps forward this season, and doing so in a similar fashion, it would be shocking to see Vancouver put off a teardown rebuild any longer. Green's impact will then be focused more on developing talented players into successful NHLers, and considering his track record and experience at the lower levels, it appears to be something in his wheelhouse.  

The immediate fantasy future in Vancouver remains unappealing, but Green's acquisition probably should be viewed as a positive for the long term.