Sources tell TSN that the Vancouver Canucks have terminated assistant coach Barry Smith and it is believed that fellow assistant Mike Kelly has also been let go.
Canucks' head coach Alain Vigneault delivered the news Wednesday afternoon. There had been speculation that incoming general manager Mike Gillis would clean house, but with Vigneault delivering the news to his assistants it appears that his future with the organization is no longer in question.
"I wouldn't say it's shocking, when Gillis was hired he said he was going to have a thorough inquiry into the whole organization . and you expected some change somewhere along the line." Canucks forward Brendan Morrison told Vancouver radio station The Team 1040 on Wednesday.
Gillis replaced Nonis in late April and recently added former NHL player Scott Mellanby to his staff as a consultant.