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The Canucks’ most difficult task this summer may have nothing to do with free agency or the draft.

That’s because this is the off-season Vancouver must attempt to successfully replace Rollie Melanson.

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Now moving on for a host of reasons, Melanson’s arrival in Vancouver six years ago marked a turning point for the franchise.

It’s hard to believe now, but Melanson was hired as Vancouver’s first-ever full-time goalie coach, and helped the team officially turn the page on its goalie graveyard legacy. He helped transform the team into something more resembling a factory for netminders.

In Melanson’s first year, Roberto Luongo and Cory Schneider combined to win the Jennings Trophy for fewest goals allowed and from there, arguably, no goalie coach in the NHL has had more success.

Photo by Jason Payne / PNG

Melanson proved equally comfortable working with big-monied, strong-willed veterans as he was with raw rookies.