April 13 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Vancouver Canucks head coach Alain Vigneault on his bench during the first period of the game against the Colorado Avalanche at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

After being eliminated in the first round of the playoffs two years in a row the Vancouver Canucks decided it was time for a change. Today they announced that Alain Vigneault has  been relieved of his duties as head coach. Assistant coaches Rick Bowness and Newell Brown have also been fired. Vigneault was the most successful coach in Canucks history, which made this a hard decision for General Manager Mike Gillis:

“I have a very strong relationship with all of them. I like them all personally,” he told a news conference shortly after the firings were announced. “We’re in a results-oriented business, and if you look at the last two playoffs, we were the higher-seeded team and we lost the first two games at home. We’ve lost consecutive games in the last two playoff years, and there comes a point in time where the message has to change and we have to be better.

“We simply didn’t get the result we expected, and in this business you have to get results.”

Vigneault made a statement after the firing via the Canucks website:

“I am proud of many of the things we accomplished as a group these past seven seasons in Vancouver and only wish we were able to win the Canucks’ first Stanley Cup. I am a career coach and it is what I love to do. I hope to coach again in this League and will always have good memories of my time and the fans in Vancouver.”

With the firing of Vigneault has created much speculation about who will get his job. Darren Dreger tweeted his list of possible candidates.

In no specific order, here’s a list of possible Canucks coaching options: Tippett, Ruff, Renney, Boucher, Maurice, Arniel, Eakins, Martin.

— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) May 22, 2013

The timing makes me believe that Dallas Eakins is top of the list since he is allowed to entertain NHL job offers as of the Toronto Marlies elimination from the Calder Cup Playoffs yesterday. Who do you think will take the opening? Where do you think Vigneault will end up? Share your thoughts in the comment box below, on facebook, on twitter (@kcapp22 or @TMMotS), or by email (tmmots@yahoo.ca).

Apr 26, 2013; Buffalo, NY, USA; Buffalo Sabres goalie Ryan Miller (30) steps to the ice for his 500th career NHL game before the start of the game against the New York Islanders at the First Niagara Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

John Vogl of The Buffalo News notes the Buffalo Sabres will be raising ticket prices by 4-percent next year and that increase is thanks to the new Collective Bargaining Agreement. The Sabres sent a letter to season ticket holders. That letter lays out their reasons for the increase.

“As part of the new Collective Bargaining Agreement with our players, all teams must produce revenue primarily through ticket sales to keep the stability of the league and its franchises strong,” John Sinclair, vice president of tickets and services.

The ticket increase doesn’t look like much, however over the past two seasons there has been a total of 16.2 percent. Sabres season tickets are on the lower end of the NHL spectrum, but in Buffalo these tickets are not cheap. Next year, the season ticket holders will pay between $1,102 -$4,307 per seat.

The Sabres have missed the Playoffs two years in a row. This year fans saw the Sabres fire long time head coach Lindy Ruff, and there is turmoil in the front office. The timing of the letter is most concerning to me. It was received by most fans on what has become known as Fan Appreciation Night.  On that same night the Sabres did discount merchandise by 50%. How can the Buffalo Sabres say in one breath that they need to produce revenue through ticket sales, and still have the audacity to discount merchandise at a 50% discount? If the Sabres need revenue that badly they should reconsider their strategy .

After losing half of the 2012-2013 season the last thing an NHL team should be doing is hitting fans with higher prices. Next year the salary cap will drop $5.8 million dollars. To simplify things that is what the Sabres saved by trading Jason Pominville.

Apr 7, 2013; Buffalo, NY, USA; A general view of some Buffalo Sabres fans moving a flag during the game between the Buffalo Sabres and the New Jersey Devils at the First Niagara Center. Sabres beat the Devils 3-2 in a shootout. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

It seems that with the “new” owner come the same problems as years pass. In Mr. Pegula’s words “money is not an issue. If I want to make money I will go drill a well.”  It’s  hard to believe that the Sabres need to raise ticket prices to stabilize the NHL. If the NHL is having money troubles, maybe they need to take a hard look in the mirror. Some teams are having trouble filling arenas with the current ticket prices. Unless the NHL is going to mandate a minimum ticket price this price jump is a choice.

Miller, who is now 32 years old was drafted by the Sabres in 1999 in the 5th round pick (138th overall). Miller, who some say has not lived up  to the hype has not always been able to handle being the face of the Sabres. I would say he is too easily  frustrated, and he has a history of allowing his emotional issues affect his play. His career numbers are average at best.  His GAA is 2.59, and he has a SV% of .915. The Sabres tried to convince their fan base that Miller is in the elite goaltender category and while he is a top goaltender, I would say for the money Miller is at best, slightly above average.

This year the Buffalo Sabres have started to rebuild their team and all indications are that Miller is not going to be the foundation to build around. A news report out of Buffalo has Miller listing his townhouse for sale, a likely sign that the club will try and traded him during the upcoming off -season. The Sabres are deep in goal with Jhonas Enroth, who is eight years younger than Miller and who’s numbers are similar but at a fraction of the price. Enroth has a career GAA of 2.72 and a SV% of .914.  In Rochester the Sabres have another two options in David Leggio (GAA  2.56 and a SV% of .924, the Amerks also have Matt Hackett (GAA 2.59 and a SV% of .911). In other word Miller’s services are no longer needed in Buffalo.

If the Sabres are looking to unload the aging goaltender their options may be few and far between, but after looking over some stats I think I may have a few landing sports for Miller.- St. Louis Blues. Starting goaltender Brian Elliott (GAA of 2.34 and a SV% of .905). The Blues were rumored to be in the hunt for Miller at the trade deadline and while St. Louis appears to have good enough goalkeeping, they could still be a fit for Miller.

- Calgary Flames. The Flames had Mikka Kiprusoff (GAA 3.44 and a  SV% .882) in net this year, and there are rumors that he will retire after this season. The Sabres and Flames have made trades in the past and a Miller deal is a possibility.

- Montreal Canadiens. The Canadiens have had nothing but net minder problems this year. Carey Price who was said to be the next Patrick Roy has not lived up to much. Price (GAA 2.59 and a SV% .905) is part of the net minder carousel in Montreal. Miller, while unlikely to land in Montreal could add some veteran leadership to the young goal tending group.

- Colorado Avalanche. The Avalanche have not been able to get much out of their goalies.  Starting goaltender Semyon Varlamov has fallen short of being dependable (GAA 3.06 and a SV%.901) The Avalanche do have Jean-Sebastien Giguere who is at the tail end of his career. Adding Miller to the mix would give the Avalanche a much-needed boost between the pipes.

There are a few other teams out there that need Miller’s services, but Buffalo is not one of them. Even with the Silver medal (2010), All-Star game (2007), and Vezina Trophy(2010), Ryan Miller has worn out his welcome in Buffalo and all indications are, he knows it. The Sabres have started their fire sale, and it won’t end until the old guard is replaced.