While he’s noted he’s more than capable of doing the job as general manager and he says a number of teams called him before he even got to Vancouver, new President of Hockey Operations Jim Rutherford has a priority and it isn’t immediately making a trade to improve the roster for the Canucks.
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During his first media avail after landing in Vancouver, Rutherford explained:
“I’m not in a hurry to make a trade. I’ve already got calls. I got calls before I got to Vancouver: ‘I like this player, I like that player, give me a call if you decide to move somebody.’ If somebody calls and something pretty good comes along that we think improves our team now and in the long run, yeah, we’ll take a look at it. But I’m not going to be making a lot of calls.”
Instead, Rutherford explains that his focus will be to immediately get his hockey operations department restructured, get people in place, and have a stronger team behind the scenes so that the organization can make a stronger team out on the ice. Included in that search will be a new GM and an assistant GM he can mentor.
Rutherford does realize there are holes in the lineup and it is the intention of the organization to fill those holes, but he notes that “one of the real pluses for us is we have a franchise goalie (Thatcher Demko). When you’re trying to build a championship team and you already have that piece in place, you can start chipping away at things.”
He also noted that he wants to be careful with any trades he makes and isn’t keen about trading draft picks unless they’re later-round picks. “It’s not the cycle we’re in,” he said.
Rutherford Has a Plan
While fans might be calling for a trade, the team is 4-0 since head coach Bruce Boudreau took over and between he and Rutherford, there is going to be patience, if nothing else. Both have a reputation of being willing to make quick moves and are quick to act, but both are experienced and have been there and done that in the NHL.
Next: Maple Leafs’ Quick Hits: Flames, Campbell, Ritchie, Dermott & Mikheyev
