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Jim Rutherford: Tinker or Thinker?

Izzy Goodenough

Registered User
Oct 11, 2020
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Is Jim Rutherford really improving the Vancouver Canucks, or is he simply tinkering without a clear direction? Since taking over, the veteran executive has made a series of trades, extensions, and roster changes, but it’s hard to say if the team and roster is actually any better than when he and Allvin took over. Fans and analysts are left wondering: is there a long-term plan in place? In an NHL where every decision counts, it’s fair to ask: Have the Canucks truly improved, or are they just stuck in a cycle of failure again?


What do you think, are the Canucks better off under Rutherford, or has the team taken a step backward? Would you trust him to navigate the rough seas the Canucks now face?

You be the judge.

Here is a comprehensive overview of the Canucks' transaction history under Rutherford's leadership:

Trades
2022–23 Season
Oct 7, 2022: Traded Jason Dickinson and a 2024 2nd-round pick to the Chicago Blackhawks for Riley Stillman.
Oct 27, 2022: Sent Michael DiPietro and Jonathan Myrenberg to the Boston Bruins in exchange for Jack Studnicka.
Oct 28, 2022: Acquired Ethan Bear and Lane Pederson from the Carolina Hurricanes for a 2023 5th-round pick.
Jan 30, 2023: Traded Bo Horvat to the New York Islanders for Anthony Beauvillier, Aatu Raty, and a conditional 2023 1st-round pick.
Feb 25, 2023: Acquired Vitali Kravtsov from the New York Rangers for Will Lockwood and a 2026 7th-round pick.
Feb 27, 2023: Sent Riley Stillman to the Buffalo Sabres for Josh Bloom.
Mar 1, 2023: Traded Luke Schenn to the Toronto Maple Leafs for a 2023 3rd-round pick.
Mar 1, 2023: Acquired Filip Hronek and a 2023 4th-round pick from the Detroit Red Wings for a conditional 2023 1st-round pick and a 2023 2nd-round pick.
Mar 3, 2023: Sent Curtis Lazar to the New Jersey Devils for a 2024 4th-round pick.
Mar 3, 2023: Traded Wyatt Kalynuk to the New York Rangers for future considerations.

2023–24 Season
Sep 19, 2023: Acquired Casey DeSmith from the Montreal Canadiens for Tanner Pearson and a 2025 3rd-round pick.
Oct 8, 2023: Obtained Sam Lafferty from the Toronto Maple Leafs for a 2024 5th-round pick.
Oct 17, 2023: Traded Jack Rathbone and Karel Plasek to the Pittsburgh Penguins for Mark Friedman and Ty Glover.
Nov 28, 2023: Sent Anthony Beauvillier to the Chicago Blackhawks for a conditional 2024 5th-round pick.
Nov 30, 2023: Acquired Nikita Zadorov from the Calgary Flames for a 2024 5th-round pick and a 2026 3rd-round pick.
Dec 15, 2023: Traded Jack Studnicka to the San Jose Sharks for Nick Cicek and a 2024 6th-round pick.
Jan 31, 2024: Obtained Elias Lindholm from the Calgary Flames for Andrei Kuzmenko, Hunter Brzustewicz, Joni Jurmo, a 2024 1st-round pick, and a conditional 2024 4th-round pick.
Jun 26, 2024: Traded Sam Lafferty and Ilya Mikheyev (with 15% salary retained) to the Chicago Blackhawks for a 2027 4th-round pick.

2024–25 Season
Aug 18, 2024: Sent Vasily Podkolzin to the Edmonton Oilers for Ottawa's 2025 4th-round pick.
Oct 6, 2024: Acquired Erik Brannstrom from the Colorado Avalanche for Tucker Poolman (with 20% salary retained) and a 2025 4th-round pick.
Nov 8, 2024: Traded Daniel Sprong to the Seattle Kraken for future considerations.
Jan 31, 2025: Traded J.T. Miller, Erik Brannstrom, and Jackson Dorrington to the New York Rangers for Filip Chytil, Victor Mancini, and a conditional 1st-round pick (2025 or 2026).
Jan 31, 2025: Acquired Marcus Pettersson and Drew O'Connor from the Pittsburgh Penguins for Vincent Desharnais, Danton Heinen, Melvin Fernstrom, and the Rangers' 2025 1st-round pick.
Feb 7, 2025: Sent Mark Friedman to the Nashville Predators for future considerations.
Mar 7, 2025: Traded Carson Soucy to the New York Rangers for a 3rd-round pick originally from the San Jose Sharks.


Free Agent Signings

2023 Offseason
Jul 1, 2023: Signed Teddy Blueger, Ian Cole, Matt Irwin, Tristen Nielsen, Zach Sawchenko, and Carson Soucy.
Aug 11, 2023: Signed Pius Suter.
Mar 14, 2024: Signed Christian Felton.

2024 Offseason
Jul 1, 2024: Signed Jake DeBrusk (7-year, $38.5M), Danton Heinen, Derek Forbort, Vincent Desharnais, Jiri Patera, Kiefer Sherwood, and Nathan Smith.
Jul 20, 2024: Signed Daniel Sprong.
Sep 21, 2024: Signed Kevin Lankinen.


Contracts

Jun 30, 2023: Noah Juulsen (2-year).
Jul 2, 2023: Akito Hirose (2-year).
Jul 9, 2023: Nils Höglander (2-year).
Sep 24, 2023: Sawyer Mynio (3-year).
Sep 25, 2023: Ty Young (3-year).
Nov 24, 2023: Nils Aman (2-year).
Mar 2, 2024: Elias Pettersson (8-year).
Mar 30, 2024: Ty Mueller (3-year).
Jun 18, 2024: Filip Hronek (8-year).
Jun 19, 2024: Mark Friedman (1-year).
Jun 20, 2024: Linus Karlsson and Cole McWard (1-year each).
Jun 26, 2024: Teddy Blueger (2-year).
Jun 27, 2024: Dakota Joshua (4-year) and Tyler Myers (3-year).
Jul 16, 2024: Artūrs Šilovs (2-year).
Sep 29, 2024: Vilmer Alriksson (3-year).
Oct 6, 2024: Nils Höglander (3-year extension).
Feb 5, 2025: Marcus Pettersson (6-year).
Feb 18, 2025: Drew O'Connor (2-year).
Feb 21, 2025: Kevin Lankinen (5-year).
Mar 18, 2025: Aku Koskenvuo (2-year).
 
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Rutherford is a GM that is just active for the sake of being active. Sometimes it works, but most time it doesn't.

The Canucks need a complete refresh from their ownership down. I don't mind Allvin but he hasn't done a particularly great job and JR is a massive problem in that organization.
 
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Empoleon8771 said:
Rutherford is a GM that is just active for the sake of being active. Sometimes it works, but most time it doesn't.

The Canucks need a complete refresh from their ownership down. I don't mind Allvin but he hasn't done a particularly great job and JR is a massive problem in that organization.
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JR is a figurehead that doesn't know when to shut up.

Francesco Aquilini is a meddling owner who is a massive issue for the franchise. This is a big issue in this hockey market right now and the media is finally catching on.
 
Empoleon8771 said:
Rutherford is a GM that is just active for the sake of being active. Sometimes it works, but most time it doesn't.

The Canucks need a complete refresh from their ownership down. I don't mind Allvin but he hasn't done a particularly great job and JR is a massive problem in that organization.
Click to expand...
Similar to Jarmo. He was always making moves
 
Izzy Goodenough said:
Is Jim Rutherford really improving the Vancouver Canucks, or is he simply tinkering without a clear direction? Since taking over, the veteran executive has made a series of trades, extensions, and roster changes, but it’s hard to say if the team and roster is actually any better than when he and Allvin took over. Fans and analysts are left wondering: is there a long-term plan in place? In an NHL where every decision counts, it’s fair to ask: Have the Canucks truly improved, or are they just stuck in a cycle of failure again?


What do you think, are the Canucks better off under Rutherford, or has the team taken a step backward? Would you trust him to navigate the rough seas the Canucks now face?

You be the judge.

Here is a comprehensive overview of the Canucks' transaction history under Rutherford's leadership:

Trades
2022–23 Season
Oct 7, 2022: Traded Jason Dickinson and a 2024 2nd-round pick to the Chicago Blackhawks for Riley Stillman.
Oct 27, 2022: Sent Michael DiPietro and Jonathan Myrenberg to the Boston Bruins in exchange for Jack Studnicka.
Oct 28, 2022: Acquired Ethan Bear and Lane Pederson from the Carolina Hurricanes for a 2023 5th-round pick.
Jan 30, 2023: Traded Bo Horvat to the New York Islanders for Anthony Beauvillier, Aatu Raty, and a conditional 2023 1st-round pick.
Feb 25, 2023: Acquired Vitali Kravtsov from the New York Rangers for Will Lockwood and a 2026 7th-round pick.
Feb 27, 2023: Sent Riley Stillman to the Buffalo Sabres for Josh Bloom.
Mar 1, 2023: Traded Luke Schenn to the Toronto Maple Leafs for a 2023 3rd-round pick.
Mar 1, 2023: Acquired Filip Hronek and a 2023 4th-round pick from the Detroit Red Wings for a conditional 2023 1st-round pick and a 2023 2nd-round pick.
Mar 3, 2023: Sent Curtis Lazar to the New Jersey Devils for a 2024 4th-round pick.
Mar 3, 2023: Traded Wyatt Kalynuk to the New York Rangers for future considerations.

2023–24 Season
Sep 19, 2023: Acquired Casey DeSmith from the Montreal Canadiens for Tanner Pearson and a 2025 3rd-round pick.
Oct 8, 2023: Obtained Sam Lafferty from the Toronto Maple Leafs for a 2024 5th-round pick.
Oct 17, 2023: Traded Jack Rathbone and Karel Plasek to the Pittsburgh Penguins for Mark Friedman and Ty Glover.
Nov 28, 2023: Sent Anthony Beauvillier to the Chicago Blackhawks for a conditional 2024 5th-round pick.
Nov 30, 2023: Acquired Nikita Zadorov from the Calgary Flames for a 2024 5th-round pick and a 2026 3rd-round pick.
Dec 15, 2023: Traded Jack Studnicka to the San Jose Sharks for Nick Cicek and a 2024 6th-round pick.
Jan 31, 2024: Obtained Elias Lindholm from the Calgary Flames for Andrei Kuzmenko, Hunter Brzustewicz, Joni Jurmo, a 2024 1st-round pick, and a conditional 2024 4th-round pick.
Jun 26, 2024: Traded Sam Lafferty and Ilya Mikheyev (with 15% salary retained) to the Chicago Blackhawks for a 2027 4th-round pick.

2024–25 Season
Aug 18, 2024: Sent Vasily Podkolzin to the Edmonton Oilers for Ottawa's 2025 4th-round pick.
Oct 6, 2024: Acquired Erik Brannstrom from the Colorado Avalanche for Tucker Poolman (with 20% salary retained) and a 2025 4th-round pick.
Nov 8, 2024: Traded Daniel Sprong to the Seattle Kraken for future considerations.
Jan 31, 2025: Traded J.T. Miller, Erik Brannstrom, and Jackson Dorrington to the New York Rangers for Filip Chytil, Victor Mancini, and a conditional 1st-round pick (2025 or 2026).
Jan 31, 2025: Acquired Marcus Pettersson and Drew O'Connor from the Pittsburgh Penguins for Vincent Desharnais, Danton Heinen, Melvin Fernstrom, and the Rangers' 2025 1st-round pick.
Feb 7, 2025: Sent Mark Friedman to the Nashville Predators for future considerations.
Mar 7, 2025: Traded Carson Soucy to the New York Rangers for a 3rd-round pick originally from the San Jose Sharks.


Free Agent Signings

2023 Offseason
Jul 1, 2023: Signed Teddy Blueger, Ian Cole, Matt Irwin, Tristen Nielsen, Zach Sawchenko, and Carson Soucy.
Aug 11, 2023: Signed Pius Suter.
Mar 14, 2024: Signed Christian Felton.

2024 Offseason
Jul 1, 2024: Signed Jake DeBrusk (7-year, $38.5M), Danton Heinen, Derek Forbort, Vincent Desharnais, Jiri Patera, Kiefer Sherwood, and Nathan Smith.
Jul 20, 2024: Signed Daniel Sprong.
Sep 21, 2024: Signed Kevin Lankinen.


Contracts

Jun 30, 2023: Noah Juulsen (2-year).
Jul 2, 2023: Akito Hirose (2-year).
Jul 9, 2023: Nils Höglander (2-year).
Sep 24, 2023: Sawyer Mynio (3-year).
Sep 25, 2023: Ty Young (3-year).
Nov 24, 2023: Nils Aman (2-year).
Mar 2, 2024: Elias Pettersson (8-year).
Mar 30, 2024: Ty Mueller (3-year).
Jun 18, 2024: Filip Hronek (8-year).
Jun 19, 2024: Mark Friedman (1-year).
Jun 20, 2024: Linus Karlsson and Cole McWard (1-year each).
Jun 26, 2024: Teddy Blueger (2-year).
Jun 27, 2024: Dakota Joshua (4-year) and Tyler Myers (3-year).
Jul 16, 2024: Artūrs Šilovs (2-year).
Sep 29, 2024: Vilmer Alriksson (3-year).
Oct 6, 2024: Nils Höglander (3-year extension).
Feb 5, 2025: Marcus Pettersson (6-year).
Feb 18, 2025: Drew O'Connor (2-year).
Feb 21, 2025: Kevin Lankinen (5-year).
Mar 18, 2025: Aku Koskenvuo (2-year).
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That’s a lot of work. Good job.
Imo the GM of Van, like many clubs, does the bidding of his ownership. The GM will never throw his owners under the bus with negative comments, of course. Or they’re never be trusted to get another job. So, imo, jr is following his owner’s directions. No rebuild. Make moves to help the club get into the playoffs, whether that’s at the TDL or in the off-season.
 
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Vancouver didn't have the supporting cast around their core players to be a consistent playoff team. After Miller's departure and whatever Pettersson is going through, they may not have the core either.

It's really on Benning. Outside of 2014, his involvement unkown, the drafting in Rounds 2-7 during his regime is crippling. Where are the good homegrown depth players? JR is throwing spaghetti against the wall trying to get out of it, but it's a real challenge.
 
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Big Daddy Cane said:
Vancouver didn't have the supporting cast around their core players to be a consistent playoff team. After Miller's departure and whatever Pettersson is going through, they may not have the core either.

It's really on Benning. Outside of 2014, his involvement unkown, the drafting in Rounds 2-7 during his regime is crippling. Where are the good homegrown depth players? JR is throwing spaghetti against the wall trying to get out of it, but it's a real challenge.
Click to expand...
Benning was only doing what his owner wanted. It’s no different before with Nonis and Gillis and after with Allvin/JR. Van will trade assets (picks/prospects) for help now. This owner has insisted on this direction.
 
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Big Daddy Cane said:
Vancouver didn't have the supporting cast around their core players to be a consistent playoff team. After Miller's departure and whatever Pettersson is going through, they may not have the core either.

It's really on Benning. Outside of 2014, his involvement unkown, the drafting in Rounds 2-7 during his regime is crippling. Where are the good homegrown depth players? JR is throwing spaghetti against the wall trying to get out of it, but it's a real challenge.
Click to expand...
This is ass backwards, all they had this year was the supporting cast that was propping the team up. The core outside of Hughes is what failed them
 
Vancouver will do what they always do, not really tank, not really go all in, and just continue to meander around the mid-pack and hope that everything falls into place as well as it can and have a one season spike here and there.
 
Big Daddy Cane said:
This past season. They missed the playoffs 3 seasons in a row prior to 23-24 with a couple point per game forwards, a #1D and a legit starting goalie that was able to play.
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They never had all those guys going in any of those seasons though. Pettersson missed half of ‘21 and Hughes and Miller weren’t very good. Pettersson sucked for half the year in ‘22. And Demko was hurt and bad in ‘23, and Miller wasn’t very good. Last year was the first year all 4 of them were healthy and playing like they’re capable. Though I agree that an actual good team would have the support cast to make up for it. They probably would have made the playoffs in ‘22 with this year’s supporting cast. Maybe in ‘23 if they had a Lankinen as backup.
 
SI90 said:
This guy just can’t keep his mouth shut. It’s almost as if he’s trying to make Quinn the bad guy by requesting a trade.

Click to expand...

100% is. Rather than go out, stick it to ownership and get good players to compliment their current core he'll make them all villains instead
 
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3074326 said:
Love JR for what he did in Pittsburgh, but I am completely baffled at the speed Rutherford has dismantled a former president’s trophy winner. He has been awful in Vancouver as far as I’m concerned.
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I'm confused. Are you referring to Canucks as a former President's Trophy winner? Like 2012? Benning dismantled that team. Not Rutherford.
 
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3074326 said:
Love JR for what he did in Pittsburgh, but I am completely baffled at the speed Rutherford has dismantled a former president’s trophy winner. He has been awful in Vancouver as far as I’m concerned.
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What? Van won the Presidents trophy in 2012. When JR took over, there wasn’t even one player left from that club on the roster. Your comment is nonsensical.
 
Benning made the awful OEL trade and then Rutherford compounded the issue by trading Horvat instead of Miller and then was forced to trade Miller. No clue what he will do going forward, but he has a lot of issues to try and get figured out before it all comes tumbling down around him and a full rebuild will have to be in play.
 
Izzy Goodenough said:
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View attachment 1028346
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A lot of ppl try and make Rutherfraud out to these deep communicator. Oh he said this because he's signalling that. Just like some do with trump. The reality is , Jim is a bumbling idiot who's completely out of his depth in a Canadian market.

The owner signed up for it. He seen those rings and couldn't resist.

Some of the hockey moves have been good. But that doesn't change the fact that he's a bumbling idiot behind the mic
 
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