Vancouver Canucks president of hockey operations Jim Rutherford has declared a significant shift in the team's approach to its roster rebuild, stating the organization is now open to trade discussions involving any player on the team.
From Soft Launch to Full Rebuild Mode
In a candid conversation on Wednesday, Rutherford confirmed the Canucks have moved beyond the initial phase of their restructuring plan. Previously, the focus was on trading pending unrestricted free agents. Now, the mandate has expanded dramatically. "It's our duty to take calls on everyone," Rutherford stated flatly, acknowledging a report from TSN's Darren Dreger that even superstar centre Elias Pettersson could be available in the right deal.
This marks a notable evolution from the team's position just a couple of months ago. "When we started the process … the intent at the start was to not get into any core player. It may very well end up staying that way," Rutherford explained. "But it certainly would not make any sense for Patrik (Allvin) to not listen to anybody."
A Deliberative and Patient Process
Rutherford emphasized that this new openness does not equate to a fire sale. The management team, led by general manager Patrik Allvin, will operate deliberatively. Allvin will lead meetings, gather input, and make the final calls, with Rutherford serving as one voice among many. The goal is to avoid shortcuts and remain disciplined, focusing on the long-term vision.
"We may end up saying no to offers, certainly, but we're not going to say no to having conversations about any player," Rutherford said. This philosophy extends even to players with no-movement clauses, like veteran defenceman Tyler Myers, whose family is settled in Vancouver.
The primary objective is to acquire young talent or draft picks. "Continue to stick to either getting young players, 25 or younger, or getting draft picks," Rutherford outlined. He believes this disciplined approach can accelerate the rebuild timeline. "I would like to think... that this rebuild can take two or three years, not six to ten."
Embracing the Present for a Better Future
Rutherford acknowledged the current on-ice struggles, with the team often icing five or six first-year players, including three on defence. He admitted that losing games can improve draft position, a reality of the process. "That's correct. If we don't stick to it, the rebuild process will take longer," he said. "Our preference is to pick (in the draft) as high as we can."
However, he stressed that development, not just the final score, is the current focus. The team will also look to add specific veterans who can mentor young players, similar to Chicago's signing of Nick Foligno in 2023. "You can't just take a bunch of 22-year-olds and throw them to the wolves. It's a tough, tough league," Rutherford noted.
In summary, while stars like Pettersson, Tyler Myers, Filip Hronek, and Marcus Pettersson are now part of trade conversations, any deal must align with a strict, patient plan to build a championship-calibre team for Vancouver fans.
