I have seen a few articles talking about what will happen next year, if Alain will be back. The thing that sticks out to me about the AV tenure is how the team has changed personalities over the years. A few years ago the team had a number of bigger nastier players to complement the Sedin's, guys like Rypien, Hordichuk, Pyatt, O'Brien, Torres. When those teams got ousted early in the playoffs the emphasis went back to getting more speed so Pyatt was jettisoned and Mason Raymond was brought in and given a spot in the top 9. The team got faster, more disciplined and made an impressive run last year. The thing that is unclear to me is whether he can develop the young players on the roster now effectively, guys like Kassian and Tanev, and soon Connauton, Jensen and Schroeder. My feeling is that he can, though it will take time and young players are not trusted until they prove their worth.

I think a change for change's sake makes little sense, the guy has an impressive track record and is capable of making bold decisions (like starting Schneid's over Luongo), so my inclination is to have him stay on and keep the team's continuity.

Though I think this year is really an afterthought, I think a future with AV at the helm makes sense.