from David Ebner of the Globe and Mail,

When Trevor Linden was hired as the new boss of the Vancouver Canucks, a returned hero whose chief job was a swift rehabilitation of the hockey team, he faced a three-month sprint through an obstacle course crowded with moving objects.

The holes to fill were numerous – coach, general manager, and throughout the roster – and the challenges were significant – Ryan Kesler and his microscopic trade list. Linden, a rookie NHL executive, has managed well, conjuring a rapid remake that cuts ties with the Mike Gillis era and establishes reasonable foundations for his tenure.

“It’s been intense,” said Linden in an interview Thursday. “I’m extremely pleased with how things have worked out.”

The Canucks promised change, wanting to excise all memories of the season of John Tortorella. In April, facing waning demand for season tickets, the team offered a money-back guarantee until July 11 so buyers could see what Linden deliver. Time is almost up, and most of the work is done – but it’s not certain skeptics have been converted into believers.

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