Franchise-changing decison close as Jim Rutherford gets green light to do what's necessary with Quinn Hughes
Photo credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images.
A report suggests that the Vancouver Canucks' ownership has put their full support behind Jim Rutherford despite the team's tough start to the 2025-26 season.
After a summer full of optimism, the Vancouver Canucks have not had the start to the 2025-26 season they were hoping for, with Adam Foote's group sitting dead last in the National Hockey League's overall standings with a 11-16-3 record through 30 games.
With the team's poor start, many were wondering if the Vancouver Canucks would finally consider a rebuild, but the team's President of Hockey Operations Jim Rutherford didn't believe one was needed at this time.
"Rebuilds can work. But you have to understand rebuilds take a long time. There has to be a lot of patience, and for the teams that take the biggest jump and ultimately rebuild and win a Cup, they usually have a first-overall pick. And you still have to get lucky on that. I'm not naming teams, but some have tried a rebuild and had a ton of draft picks that didn't turn out. So a rebuild is not something that we're going to look at doing. Like I said, we're in transition. But we're not trading all these players for draft picks that may or may not end up playing someday." Rutherford said.
Vancouver Canucks ownership puts full support behind Jim Rutherford, team's management
Despite rumors earlier this month that indicated the Vancouver Canucks are considering changes to their management group, potentially as early as after the Christmas break, it appears that won't be happening, at least not right now.
According to Gary Mason of The Globe and Mail, Vancouver Canucks ownership, led by Francesco Aquilini, is reportedly not considering a management change at this point in the 2025-26 season and have put their full support behind Jim Rutherford in whatever moves he decides to make between now and the deadline on March 6th, including the possibility of captain Quinn Hughes being traded.
"He certainly would not fit the profile of someone suited to a team in tear-down, rebuild mode. And yet, that seems to be where the Canucks are at - if not a complete teardown, in a state of rebuild for certain. I believe Rutherford has the complete support of ownership on whatever moves he ends up making." Mason said.
While Francesco Aquilini might be comfortable with Jim Rutherford & Patrik Allvin calling the shots right now, we'll have to wait and see if they change their tune later on in the season if and when the Canucks miss out on the Stanley Cup Playoffs and more importantly to the ownership group, that playoff revenue.
Previously on Vancouver Hockey Daily
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 11 | 1208 ANSWERS Franchise-changing decison close as Jim Rutherford gets green light to do what's necessary with Quinn Hughes Do you agree with the Vancouver Canucks' decision to stick with Jim Rutherford? | ||
| Yes | 345 | 28.6 % |
| No | 863 | 71.4 % |
| List of polls | ||