Canucks Expected to Hire Jim Rutherford in Major Executive Role

According to Darren Dreger of TSN, the Vancouver Canucks might have found their new GM and/or President of Hockey Operations. The NHL insider writes, “Things are escalating between veteran NHL executive, Jim Rutherford and the Vancouver Canucks. A deal is expected to get done, although sources won’t confirm if it’s for the president’s role or both president and GM.

Related: NHLPA Files Appeal on Behalf of Jason Spezza Over 6-Game Suspension

Things are escalating between veteran NHL executive, Jim Rutherford and the Vancouver Canucks. A deal is expected to get done, although sources won’t confirm if it’s for the presidents role or both president and GM.

— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) December 9, 2021

Jim Rutherford was mentioned in Elliotte Friedman’s 32 Thoughts column this week and wrote, “If Vancouver’s future includes Jim Rutherford — and they’ve done their due diligence on him — I think we’re going to know sooner rather than later.” Apparently, that’s true as the word is now coming out that the Canucks are finalizing a deal with the former GM of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Carolina Hurricanes.

After hiring Bruce Boudreau as head coach, this is going to be an interesting addition for the Canucks. Rutherford is known as a GM with a questionable trade record but also a GM who has done some winning in his time.

Rutherford surprised many when he left the Penguins in January of 2021. It didn’t take long for speculation to kick up that he was interested in coming back to the league. He spoke with TSN’s Pierre LeBrun in February and made it known he was interested in another run:

I still got the bug. I can tell you that I feel good, I have a lot of energy, I love the game. I’ve watched as many games as I can every night to stay in the loop. I have an emotional connection to the Penguins for obvious reasons, but I still have the bug to be with a team and try to contribute and make it better. I’ve done this long enough, and I have a lot of friends in the game and a lot of respect for everybody, and I’m not looking to take somebody’s job. So I’m not going to be making phone calls and saying that I’m looking for a job that somebody already has.

It sounds like he’s going to get that shot with the Canucks. Canucks legend Stan Smyl is currently serving as interim general manager, with Ryan Johnson working as interim assistant GM. Henrik Sedin, Daniel Sedin, Doug Jarvis, and Chris Greer are also involved in the day-to-day hockey operations and it is not clear how the hiring of Rutherford will affect any or all of these individuals.

Next: Rick Tocchet in Lead Among Half-Dozen Flyers Coaching Candidates