Truth & Rumors > NHL

07:16 AM ET 05.23 | Nearly since their Game 7 Stanley Cup loss, things have been bumpy in Vancouver, which on Wednesday cost coach Alain Vigneault his job. Fifteen days after the Canucks' second straight first-round exit from the National Hockey League playoffs, [Mike Gillis] fired Vigneault and top assistant coaches Rick Bowness and Newell Brown. But even that job went poorly, as Vigneault learned of his dismissal from media reports before Gillis had spoken to him. "I have no idea how that could happen," Gillis told reporters. ... "I was in [a 10 o'clock] meeting until two o'clock. I came out of it and I phoned Alain at 2:15. Then I found out that someone in Quebec had said this had happened. I think it's terribly unfortunate. I wish that wasn't the case."

Vancouver Sun

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07:15 AM ET 05.23 | Alex Burmistrov may have played his final game with the Winnipeg Jets. Two league sources have told the Free Press Burmistrov, due to become a restricted free agent on July 5, has no intention of re-signing with the Jets. Burmistrov wished to be dealt at the trade deadline and the Jets worked in vain to move him. It appears a trade is still the preferred course of action. Burmistrov and head coach Claude Noel beefed on and off over the past two seasons and the relationship hit an all-time low when the player was a healthy scratch four straight games in March. The Jets attempted to trade Burmistrov and reportedly had discussions with the Ottawa Senators, Buffalo Sabres and New York Islanders at the deadline.

Winnipeg Free Press

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03:07 PM ET 05.22 | Out-classed, out-hustled and out-played all night, the New York Rangers failed to deliver in a must-win Game 3 at home in The Garden on Tuesday night. In a blue collar, no-flash grind-it-out style of play, the Blueshirts just didn't have an answer for Boston's relentless attack that managed to take the crowd out of it early and had the MSG faithful eerily quiet all night. Even with another spectacular game by Henrik Lundqvist, the Rangers were simply dominated from start to finish on the boards and in the offensive zone. The forecheck New York counted on all season and critical to keeping the puck in the Bruins defensive zone failed to deliver tonight and had Tortella's squad playing cat-and-mouse all night. New York's high-powered offense was once again non-existant, and without their offensive stars stepping up, they couldn't sustain any pressure on Tuukka Rask even after jumping out a 1-0 second period lead on Taylor Pyatt's first goal of the playoffs.

Empire Writes Back

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02:24 PM ET 05.22 | Winnipeg Jets forward Alexander Burmistrov will not re-sing with the team, according to a report by Gary Lawless of the Winnipeg Free Press. Lawless cites two sources who say Burmistrov is looking to be traded. It is believed that he has had a contentious relationship with head coach Claude Noel, which culminated in a four-game span in March when Burmistrov was a healthy scratch. Lawless previously reported that Winnipeg attempted to trade Burmistrov at the trade deadline. The club engaged in talks with the Buffalo Sabres, New York Islanders and Ottawa Senators. Burmistrov will become a restricted free agent this July. His agent only commented that he is not looking to play in the KHL.

Winnipeg Free Press

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02:16 PM ET 05.22 | The Vancouver Canucks could fire head coach Alain Vigneault as early as this week, according to Darren Dreger of TSN on Tuesday afternoon. Dreger stated in a radio spot that he believes the team could look to announce Vigneault's dismissal by Thursday or Friday. It reamins unclear whether this belief is based in information from a source or merely an educated opinion. His colleague, Bob McKenzie, also expressed that he expected Vigneault to be relieved of his duties. The Canucks are interested in making changes before next season. many believe they will start with Vigneault.

SB Nation

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