Willie Desjardins came to the Vancouver Canucks in 2014 and promptly led the team to a 101-point finish and a spot in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. He did that as a rookie coach, having previously coached only teams in the WHL and AHL. He is also a two-time WHL champion with the Medicine Hat Tigers and a Calder Cup champion with the Texas Stars.
So, say what you will, Willie Desjardins knows what he’s doing.
Because of that, I always defended him. Even when he followed up a 75-point season with a 69-point campaign. When rumors of his potential firing first emerged, I argued he should stay.