Q&A: Jim Rutherford on Canucks' strong start, Pettersson's next contract

[The Arrogant Worms]

https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/qa-jim-rutherford-on-canucks-strong-start-petterssons-next-contract/

 

VANCOUVER — Time flies when you’re having fun. Or even when you’re not.

 

Jim Rutherford said being president of a National Hockey League team is not a fun job, but can be an enjoyable one, a rewarding one.

 

After a tumultuous first season and a half in charge of the Vancouver Canucks, when the 74-year-old Hall-of-Famer oversaw the complete reconstruction of the hockey operations

department and, last winter, a messy coaching change, Rutherford has been mostly quiet this season as his surprising team built an 18-9-1 start.

Edited December 12, 2023 by The Arrogant Worms

[Bob Long]

good to see the positive noises about Juulson. Drance also did an article this morning in the athletic showing the numbers for his last 10 games, confirms the eye test that in fact Noah has stepped it up and his playing a decent bottom pair game. Could be why we're not chasing Bear anymore. 

[PhillipBlunt]

I love how Rutherford doesn't bite on any of the more sensationalistic questions. Smart guy. 

[Dr. Crossbar]

I like the sound of this ... 

 

"I actually view the window as just starting to open up because our top players are playing the way they're capable of. But we now also have a good pipeline of players coming, and if those players hit the way we think they're going to hit here in the next couple of years, and you have Quinn Hughes (24) and Elias Pettersson (25) at the age they are, and I believe J.T. Miller (30) is going to be a good player for a long time, and we have Thatcher Demko (28) at a good age, that window could actually open bigger."

[Nucker67]

Hoglander - Pettersson - Lekkerimaki

Bains - Miller - Boeser

Podkolzin - Raty - Karlsson

Alriksson - Lafferty

 

Hughes - Willander

Zadorov - Hronek

Pettersson - Brzustewicz

Jurmo - Celebrini

 

Demko-Silovs

 

 

[NoCupSyndrome]

Prospect development and slowing down the pace of advancement from Jr to AHL to NHL should be a big positive moving forward. I like the approach Mgmt is taking - allowing the young players to grow, practice, create a consistent schedule, and interact with guys like the Sedins' is huge. 

[NewbieCanuckFan]

1 hour ago, PhillipBlunt said:

I love how Rutherford doesn't bite on any of the more sensationalistic questions. Smart guy. 

He's been around.  If he was around during Jim Benning's time as an "overseer" of sorts/advisor, I think the team would've been alot better off with maybe JB still as the GM.  Alvin is fortunate to have him serve in that role.

Edited December 12, 2023 by NewbieCanuckFan

[Coconuts]

2 hours ago, Dr. Crossbar said:

I like the sound of this ... 

 

"I actually view the window as just starting to open up because our top players are playing the way they're capable of. But we now also have a good pipeline of players coming, and if those players hit the way we think they're going to hit here in the next couple of years, and you have Quinn Hughes (24) and Elias Pettersson (25) at the age they are, and I believe J.T. Miller (30) is going to be a good player for a long time, and we have Thatcher Demko (28) at a good age, that window could actually open bigger."

 

This is why I take issue with the idea that we have to somehow capitalize on this brief window before Boeser, Hughes, Pettersson, and Demko extensions get done. It's not as if we're simply going to stop trying to compete going forward because top guys are getting bigger dollars. 

 

Obviously it makes it a bit more challenging to fit pieces in, but that's why actually using first round picks, drafting, and developing prospects is so important. Every team around the league has to work around guys getting paid, we're not unique in that instance, having to pay players is the price of success regardless of whether you win a cup or not. If we have players worth paying fans should be thankful, there are many years over the past decade we were nearly capped out with questionable cap hits on the books. 

 

Larger deals on the books just means finding cheaper complimentary players has to be done, and it means players on ELC's or who are RFA's are all the more important. The Canucks still have quite a bit to prove before they consider mortgaging what's a top heavy prospect pool to somehow go "all-in". The Canucks are better served trying to build a longer competitive window imo, which can be done with a management group that makes savvy decisions regarding cap, term, drafting, and player acquisition. 

[spook007]

3 hours ago, PhillipBlunt said:

I love how Rutherford doesn't bite on any of the more sensationalistic questions. Smart guy. 

Old fox..... been there, done that....

[spook007]

1 hour ago, NewbieCanuckFan said:

He's been around.  If he was around during Jim Benning's time as an "overseer" of sorts/advisor, I think the team would've been alot better off with maybe JB still as the GM.  Alvin is fortunate to have him serve in that role.

This....

Been saying this for ages...

Benning needed a boss that could control him and his urges...

Linden didn't have the expertice that Rutherford has. Massive difference...

Allvin and JR are doing good together. It bodes well for Allvins future, even after JR is gone

[DownUndaCanuck]

Ever since JR went a bit more behind the scenes and let Allvin take over public appearances, this team has done a lot better. Good job hiring decent coaching staff and re-structuring a lot of the internal workings, including getting the class Sedins on board. We were a bit of a mess when JR started publically, but now he's kept his mouth shut and let the GM do his job, we're thriving.

[PhillipBlunt]

25 minutes ago, spook007 said:

Old fox..... been there, done that....

[Shirotashi]

 

 

 

 

Edited December 12, 2023 by Shirotashi

[Sativika]

18 hours ago, NewbieCanuckFan said:

He's been around.  If he was around during Jim Benning's time as an "overseer" of sorts/advisor, I think the team would've been alot better off with maybe JB still as the GM.  Alvin is fortunate to have him serve in that role.

 

Aaaaaaa....Maybe. Hard to say....Probably NOT!!!!! JR's acquisition has shown that he's been given full reign in hockey operations with this team. The proof is in the pudding.

I'm sure just as BB was ousted,  JB would've suffered the same fate. You know; out with the old, and in with the new. 

 

JR was given the task to rehash this organization and he has done so on his terms. So far, so good.

 

19 hours ago, Dr. Crossbar said:

I like the sound of this ... 

 

"I actually view the window as just starting to open up because our top players are playing the way they're capable of. But we now also have a good pipeline of players coming, and if those players hit the way we think they're going to hit here in the next couple of years, and you have Quinn Hughes (24) and Elias Pettersson (25) at the age they are, and I believe J.T. Miller (30) is going to be a good player for a long time, and we have Thatcher Demko (28) at a good age, that window could actually open bigger."

 

Yea. Our future does seem bright. (Get yer' shades on!!!) Not only promising young prospects as mentioned earlier, but also the cap going up. I'm sure there's a hint of such in the window opening bigger, as JR states above.

 

Go Canucks Go!!!!!

[IBatch]

18 hours ago, Coconuts said:

 

This is why I take issue with the idea that we have to somehow capitalize on this brief window before Boeser, Hughes, Pettersson, and Demko extensions get done. It's not as if we're simply going to stop trying to compete going forward because top guys are getting bigger dollars. 

 

Obviously it makes it a bit more challenging to fit pieces in, but that's why actually using first round picks, drafting, and developing prospects is so important. Every team around the league has to work around guys getting paid, we're not unique in that instance, having to pay players is the price of success regardless of whether you win a cup or not. If we have players worth paying fans should be thankful, there are many years over the past decade we were nearly capped out with questionable cap hits on the books. 

 

Larger deals on the books just means finding cheaper complimentary players has to be done, and it means players on ELC's or who are RFA's are all the more important. The Canucks still have quite a bit to prove before they consider mortgaging what's a top heavy prospect pool to somehow go "all-in". The Canucks are better served trying to build a longer competitive window imo, which can be done with a management group that makes savvy decisions regarding cap, term, drafting, and player acquisition. 

So far, they've managed to make the moves that they needed to, without mortgaging the future.    Let's we how these picks play out.  Lettermaki and Willander.    Plus others and the JB left overs.    It is going to get awfully tricky, to jam everyone in.    Buy-in is key.   Miller did us a huge solid signing for what he did.   Set a big example.     Soucy was the perfect UFA.   Finding guys with a lot of talent, in their primes, that can easily play to and above their cap hits, isn't easy.    Playoff reps are exactly what this team needs now, and depending on how that goes, should allow the brass some sense of where to pivot from their medium and long term plans, and when to go all in.    We are NOT ready for rentals yet.    As in trading our first and seconds year after year to support a run.    We are however, definitely in a position, to use some futures to plug holes.   Have no problem with trading our first and a third for guys like Hronek and Miller. 

[Jaimito]

 

 

 

[Jaimito]

QA with PA.  

We need a thread on the management

 

OP maybe change the title to 1/3 season update?

 

 

 

General Manager Patrik Allvin is Defining a New Culture of Canucks Hockey

 

A team’s identity doesn’t change overnight.   

 

You don’t just snap your fingers and immediately become tough to play against.  

 

And it’s not as simple as competing on every shift, getting pucks in deep, and playing fast.  

 

A team’s identity comes from individual sacrifices for the team’s greater good. It comes from personal stats offered up in exchange for a chance at points in the standings.  

 

An identity is hard to obtain and even harder to keep.   

 

That’s what this Vancouver Canucks team is trying to accomplish. A winning culture.

 

Habits, predictability, effort, structure, and details are all words that you’ll often hear from head coach Rick Tocchet about ‘Canucks hockey’. There’s an attention to detail from the ice to the front office that is creating a new culture around Rogers Arena.  

 

After some difficult years in the history of the franchise, the team is starting to turn the corner with the contributions of a new coaching staff as well as a full buy-in from any player who puts on a Canucks jersey. After much of the core remained the same, the players needed something to come together on and that message has been delivered loud and clear in the form of setting a new culture and building a new brand of Canucks hockey.  

 

“I think it's very demanding,” said General Manager Patrik Allvin when asked about changing the culture in the organization. “It's easy to say you're tired of losing but are you willing to invest? There’s a reason why invest is one of our words in the dressing room. Are you ready to invest in yourself to play the right way every single night for eighty-two games? Because it’s hard. It's mentally hard.”  

 

Allvin has high standards for his group. From his management staff, down to his coaches and from there on to his players. Canucks hockey is a demanding style of play.  

 

“This is a partnership between ownership, management, coaches and the players,” said Allvin. “We want to be invested, committed, focused, and that’s hard but that’s also what it takes to be a good team night in and night out. Setting a new tone and working towards it will definitely take some time.”  

 

There’s plenty of time being put in on the ice at practice by the coaching staff, which has a whopping 6,235 games played in the NHL. There’s plenty of winning that has been done by this staff; Adam Foote and Sergei Gonchar each won the Stanley Cup as players, and Mike Yeo won as an assistant coach. Then, there’s Rick Tocchet, who has won as both a player and a coach. Oh, and the Sedins are Hall of Famers too.  

 

“I believe in the autonomy of giving your coaches projects or being creative with their ideas,” said Head Coach Rick Tocchet. “There are no egos here. I'm the head coach, but I don't wear a head coaching badge. Yes, I'm the head coach and they respect that, but we all know that the entire staff has a lot of say here.” 

 

When Tocchet was hired, one of the first changes he made was getting a bigger office. The head coach wanted to be able to have his whole staff gather in a space where ideas could flow. Now, there’s a Head Coach’s office with a table for 12 in which the group meets at nearly every day.  

 

Tocchet's office is where ideas are formed, and check-ins take place daily. Whether if it’s a development coach looking to get some one-on-one time with a player or a video coach bringing an idea to the group – Tocchet's office is a space where all of the coaches are comfortable sharing their thoughts on how the team can improve. 

 

There is trust in the head coach from management and it’s not just about the hockey part of his mind. 

 

“It's a very dynamic group for sure but there are no egos and Rick wants open-table discussions,” said Allvin. “Everything starts with Rick Tocchet and how exceptional he is with his communication skills. He’s not afraid to delegate and he’s not looking to be the smartest guy in the room. It’s great to see his ability to delegate and include all the coaches to run drills and practices while also having other responsibilities. That’s just the growth of this organization."  

 

Allvin spent much of the coaching staff recruitment process making sure that each person was committed to changing the culture and taking on the challenge of creating a new brand of Canucks hockey.   

 

“There's a lot of repetition for the coaches to get the players to play the way they want.” added Allvin.  

 

 With a solid start to the season, Allvin believes that the right pieces are now in place to keep this sustainable. There will be slumps and streaks but there’s a lot of belief in this group of players as long as the team sticks to continuing to put in the work.  

 

“We always strive for excellence. We will never be satisfied. We will always need to be better. That’s our challenge because the day you are satisfied, you are done for.”  

 

This team is still a work in progress but Allvin is happy to see that the players are buying in and seeing how their buy-in can translate to wins. There’s value in two points in the standings but because this group isn’t a finished product, the process is as important as the short-term results.  

 

Allvin knows he has the staff to manage the highs and lows of the season. Whether that’s Adam Foote working on decision-making with the defencemen, Daniel and Henrik Sedin putting out fires with the players before a full-on blaze, or Ian Clark getting extra time in with Thatcher Demko or Casey DeSmith -- the coaches are working together as one to get the best out of their group on the ice.  

 

“During the course of a long year, you will see the ups and downs and you want to see how the coaches handle things,” said Allvin. “Then, you want to see how the players react to that and we hit the reset button. It wasn't a perfect game against New Jersey but credit to the coaches and the players. We took a step back and got back to teaching. We have played a pretty good two games here and now we're going to just continue to focus on the next game to see if we can build on that.”  

 

One of the things that Allvin wants from his management group is synchronicity. He believes when you are part of a successful franchise, you feel pieces of every area because you have that high standard surrounding you. It’s about holding your peers to high expectations and that challenge is the same on the ice as well as off the ice to fit into being a part of Canucks hockey.  

 

Canucks hockey lives at Rogers Arena but is also easy to spot in Abbotsford and throughout their prospect pipeline around the world. The organization made a commitment to their prospects with the addition of international development coaches and bringing in a highly touted young coach in Abbotsford with Jeremy Colliton. 

 

With the AHL team so close to the NHL club, the two coaching staffs can work together in preparing players to be ready to play for the Vancouver Canucks and not skip a beat during the transition.

 

Allvin credits his professional scouting staff for working together to be able to find players like Nils Åman and Dakota Joshua. Players who his staff believed could be effective in different roles under the Canucks brand of hockey in 2022-23.  

 

The GM reminisced on his time winning two Stanley Cups with the Pittsburgh Penguins and feels that an organization needs to be fully committed to making daily improvements.  

 

“It's a never-ending,” said Allvin with a laugh. “We just need to get better all the time. I think that's where my job is to push the coaches and then it’s the coaches’ job is to push the players.”  

 

Right now, the players are pushing. Setting a new tone takes time, sacrifice and accountability. They are pushing to create a winning culture and the organization is making an effort to surround the players with the right pieces to assist in the players’ improvement and development.  

 

From the salary cap specialists to the scouting staff and the development coaches to the players -- everyone is committed to the same buy-in and willingness to make sacrifices.   

 

This organization is demanding, and the players have bought into what the coaching staff is preaching.  

 

Unselfishness through sacrifices, a commitment to excellence, and an investment in doing things right every single d

ay.  

 

That’s what Allvin is looking for.  

 

That’s Canucks hockey.

 

 

 

Edited December 13, 2023 by Jaimito