I have been collecting thoughts for a few weeks now on how to remember yet another train wreck of a season which I will post soon, but since it’s morning #1 of yet another long offseason, my initial thoughts are:

1. If the Canucks can’t score against the Oilers, Avs and Wild (or the Coyotes, Ducks or Blackhawks last month) they sure weren’t going to run the score up against the Red Wings or Sharks.

2. If the Canucks can’t play solid defense against the Oilers, Avs and Wild (or the Coyotes, Ducks or Blackhawks last month) they sure weren’t going to keep games close against the Red Wings or Sharks.

3. If the Canucks could only muster one win in their final seven games, they weren’t going to take four from the Red Wings or Sharks.

4. It’s nice that they all say you can’t blame injuries…but yes, you really can.

Not making the playoffs saves everyone the mental effort. Moreover, as I have been saying for sometime, it puts the pressure squarely on Nonis for the betterment of the franchise. If he wants to keep his job past this time next year, he has to remake the core again. Naslund is likely not back, I can’t imagine Linden will be back (which sucks), the Sedins still need a winger and this team pathetically still needs a real second line. He has money to play with and the impatient audience of an entire Province (and one surly bastard 3,000 miles east).

So this summer is Nonis-watch time. Time for him to get the right pieces to compliment the goalie he has. Time for Vigneault to adjust his style since he clearly wasn’t getting the best out of his players this season. And time for the new leaders of this team (Mitchell, Kesler, Bieksa) to step up and help start a new chapter for the club.

Before that though, we have to watch Naslund and Linden sail into the sunset on Saturday with a meaningless game against the Flames (for Vancouver anyway).

So this morning isn’t terribly shocking. But the worst part for me? I owe someone flowers. Fuck! Anyone have any suggestions for the card?!