As the Canucks slide further and further out of contention for a playoff spot in the West, the opposing team's coach arrives in town looking ahead perhaps to how his team will navigate the NHL East looking for a placement in the Stanley Cup Final come June.
The reception for Vigneault will be an interesting thing tonight as the Rangers take to the Rogers Arena ice, it was under his stewardship that Vancouver came as close they may ever get to a Stanley Cup parade for the foreseeable future.
The suggestions of last year that the Canucks had become too complacent, too predictable on the ice, something that fans probably can only wish for now, such has been the implosion of the team in the last season.
That's not to hang all the problems of the team on the head coach, he clearly hasn't been helped out by his bosses, who have made some choices this year that clearly haven't provide John Tortorella with the kind of team he is comfortable with.
The team he inherited in September, was very much Alain Vigneault's team, built through the years to the kind of game he wanted his squad to play, a style obviously a little different than what his replacement would find familiar.
The bottom line for the former coach is he has some hockey to play later this month, while his former team has a lot to think about as to where they wish to be when the next season comes around.
Right now, which team do you think that Vigneault wants to be a part of?
Considering the attention that the Vancouver media is putting on tonight's game, you get the feeling that they had this date circled on the calendar for a while now.
Vancouver Sun-- Vancouver clings to faint playoff hopes as road warrior Rangers come calling
Vancouver Sun-- As Canucks fall, Rangers on the rise
Vancouver Sun-- How will Vancouver hockey fans greet Alain Vigneault?
Vancouver Sun-- Comparing John Tortorella, Alain Vigneault
Vancouver Province-- Burrows affirms bond with Vigneault
Vancouver Province-- Alain Vigneault says key to success is adapting style of play to team you've
Global BC-- Alain Vigneault back in Vancouver
Canada.com-- Tortorella on Vigneault's return to Vancouver: "We're losing games so I'm the idiot"
MetroNews-- Alain Vigneault all business in second return to Vancouver, as Rangers prepare to face Canucks
CBC-- Alain Vigneault returns to face Canucks in Vancouver
TSN-- Vigneault returns to Vancouver as Rangers face Canucks on TSN
Not to be left out, the New York media has some thoughts from a different perspective, anxious to chime in on their potential reunion with the Rangers old coach as well.
New York Daily News-- Alain Vigneault has NY Rangers rolling while John Tortorella is on hot seat with Canucks
Newsday-- John Tortorella true to form in assessing 'swap' for Alain Vigneault
New York Post-- Good chance Tortorella gets fired after this season
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