The Vancouver Canucks missed the playoffs this season for the second time in three years which spurred speculation roster changes were coming. On Monday, however, the ax fell on general manager Dave Nonis.

Despite the Canucks futility during Nonis’ three-year tenure, this move still seems surprising. The Canucks only narrowly missed the playoffs in 2006 and 2008, and Nonis was generally considered as having done a good job in taking over for former GM Brian Burke.

The Canucks struggled in 2005-06 was due in large part to a lack of strong goaltending and quality defense, as well as the distraction from Todd Bertuzzi’s legal troubles from his on-ice attack on former Colorado Avalanche Steve Moore in 2004.

Nonis had to make some difficult decisions heading into the summer of 2006. In addition to the aforementioned, there was talk that the team had grown tired of head coach Marc Crawford, and with limited cap space he faced the loss of puck-moving defenseman Ed Jovanovski to free agency.

Nonis acted quickly, pulling off the blockbuster deal of the decade by shipping the unhappy Bertuzzi with two players to the Florida Panthers for all-star goalie Roberto Luongo, defenseman Lukas Krajicek and a draft pick, and peddled goalie Dan Cloutier to the LA Kings.

Nonis also moved to improve his team’s defense corps, signing veteran defenseman Willie Mitchell as an unrestricted free agent and re-signing Mattias Ohlund and Sami Salo to long-term contracts. Krajicek turned into pleasant surprise having a strong performance in the 2006-07 season.

Two notable forward re-signings were the Sedin Twins, who emerged over the last two seasons as the Canucks offensive leaders.

He also hired Alain Vigneault to replace Crawford as head coach, and under Vigneault the Canucks improved to a franchise record 105 point performance in 2006-07, earning him the Adams trophy as NHL coach of the year.

Nonis also did a good job at the draft table, selecting promising youngsters Cory Schneider, Mason Raymond, Alexander Edler, and Luc Bourdon.

Injuries to several key defensemen and center Brendan Morrisont his season severely hampered the Canucks , as did the decline in production of team captain Markus Naslund,and they slid to an 88 point performance and out of the post-season.

Nonis acknowledged at season’s end that his club needed to bolster their offensive depth, and while he was adamant against trading away his promising youth, suggested the willingness to perhaps trade a defenseman or shopin this summer’s UFA market. for scoring help.

While the Canucks are still a work in progress, it’s clear that Nonis was doing his best to build the team the right way, from the net out. Had the Canucks been healthier this season, odds are they would’ve made the playoffs despite their offensive struggles and Nonis wouldn't have lost his job.

It appears that team ownership has panicked, making Nonis the scapegoat for the club’s step back this season.

Nonis couldn’t be blamed for the lack of cap space available to him over the last two years to bolster his scoring depth when the club’s defensive needs and the retention of the Sedins took priority, and certainly couldn’t be faulted for the rash of injuries that dogged the team throughout the season.

Having proven that he’s capable of making smart trades and free agent signings to address his team’s previously biggest needs, he deserved the opportunity this summer to address the club’s offensive shortfalls.

It’s puzzling why ownership would make this decision, and it’ll be interesting to see who they decide to bring in as Nonis’ replacement.

 A rumor in the Toronto Sun this past weekend hinted that former GM Burke was apparently interested in returning to Vancouver, so don’t be surprised if this speculation gains steam in the coming days if ownership doesn’t immediately announce Nonis’ successor.