“We take responsibility for what happened,” said Canucks captain Henrik Sedin in today’s locker clean out at Rogers Arena.
The season is now officially over for the Vancouver Canucks, and four of the team’s players and head coach John Tortorella faced the media today to try to dissect what went wrong.
With the new President in Trevor Linden and a yet unnamed new GM, the team is sure to undergo some changes.
But Sedin says it is not about rebuilding.
“It is not about starting over. It is about making playoffs next year. I honestly believe it is going to happen,” says Sedin.
Defenceman Kevin Bieksa says they feel responsible for what is happening with the team, especially with the position of the head coach now in doubt.
“With Torts’ future in question, it is a tough time for everybody.”
That sentiment was echoed by centre Ryan Kesler.
“I think we look at ourselves first and foremost. If we played better, we would not be sitting here, and people would not be losing their jobs,” says Kesler.
John Tortorella will be meeting with Canucks President Trevor Linden today.
The coach says the blame for the unsuccessful season falls on him.
“I really like the guys but I let it get away.”
Tortorella says he feels the team is ‘stale.’
“This is a group that’s been together for a long time. It needs youth and it needs a change…You have to stop thinking about 2011.”
Video: Will Tortorella return next season?
But Kevin Bieksa says he still believes in the team’s core.
“We have the right pieces,” he says. “I don’t buy that the core is too old. I still believe we are all in our prime.”
One of the key core players who many expected to follow Roberto Luongo on his way out of Vancouver was Ryan Kesler.
Kesler was the subject of trade rumours back in February. He denied those rumours all along, and today confirmed he did not ask for the trade.
“This has been my home since my adulthood. I love it here,” said Kesler.
On Sunday, the Canucks beat the Flames 5-1 in their final game of the season. The team finished in 5th place in the Pacific Division with a record of 36-35-11.
It was a scare for forward Daniel Sedin, who was taken off the ice on a stretcher after taking a hit from Calgary centre Paul Byron in the second period.
“I felt something wasn’t right.”
Sedin reassured there is no after-effect injury.
“Everything should be fine. Should be no problem,” said Sedin.
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