The Vancouver Canucks entered this season motivated to redeem themselves after last season’s dramatic setback.<\/p>\n
They did the opposite.<\/p>\n
Their 16-25-5 record placed them in last place. Any faint hope they had of correcting course after finishing 18th in the NHL last season has been snuffed out.<\/p>\n
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And this week, Canucks president of hockey Jim Rutherford once again proved that he is the best executive of the NHL. Speaking to Vancouver County, Rutherford said he’s willing to listen to trade proposals involving any Vancouver player – and that the Canucks are officially in a rebuilding position.<\/p>\n
“It’s our job to welcome everyone,” Rutherford said. “We may end up saying no to the team, but we will not refuse to have discussions about any player… I would like to think based on the number of young players we have, that we have been able to get in the last few years, with a high ceiling, that this rebuilding would take two or three years, not six to 10.”<\/p>\n
Rutherford, when he was specific about (a) calling the Canucks’ future a rebuild and (b) predicting it took two to three years, makes it clear that Vancouver will take a step back or two this season.<\/p>\n
And with that lesson set, it’s time to wonder if star center Elias Pettersson wants to be a part of this rebuild or waive his no-movement clause and start over elsewhere. Even if he will get that opportunity because of his contract.<\/p>\n
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We think that if he is offered a trade opportunity, he should take it, and so should the Canucks if the return increases their ability to rebuild.<\/p>\n
Unfortunately for Rutherford and Canucks GM Patrik Allvin, Vancouver’s struggles this season are reflected in Pettersson’s poor numbers. He has just 15 assists and 28 points in 38 games. He missed some time due to injury, but at an $11.6-million cap hit, that production doesn’t even come close to meeting expectations.<\/p>\n
A change of scenery could be just what Pettersson needs to revive his career. And if the Canucks can pick up anywhere near the kind of assets they did in the Quinn Hughes trade \u2014 three young players with high potential, plus a first-round draft pick \u2014 Vancouver fans will be very happy.<\/p>\n
That said, Pettersson’s contract, which runs for six more seasons after this one, and his underperformance make it unlikely that the Canucks will get Hughes.<\/p>\n
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So if the Canucks are going to move Pettersson, they will have to sell him for less than they would have if they moved him last year. And he’ll have to play well enough for other teams to take a chance on that big contract. But Pettersson is still only 27, so the Vancouver brass should push hard in any trade talks.<\/p>\n Jim Rutherford Uncertain About Long-Term Future With Canucks <\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Jim Rutherford Uncertain About Long-Term Future With Canucks <\/span> Jim Rutherford revealed in a recent interview that he may be out of the organization for a long time. <\/span> <\/p>\n While full rebuilding is the right path for Vancouver, there’s a real danger it could inadvertently take longer than two or three years. Just ask the Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks about the dangers of rebuilding.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n Indeed, there is no guarantee that reconstruction leads to success after a few years of struggle. So the Canucks should go ahead, make some drastic changes and invest in a new group of young players. And if they stay where they are at the top and get lucky from the hockey gods, they could pick high in the 2026 draft and get the right to host Gavin McKenna or Ivar Stenberg. That would make all this loss worth it.<\/p>\n Vancouver currently has two first-round picks, but if they deal with Pettersson and take another first-round pick, they could have a solid foundation to build on. The rest of this season is going to be bad for them, but we believe Canucks fans are mature enough to accept that a dose of pain can lead to better days down the line.<\/p>\n If, two years ago, you told Vancouver fans they would be happy for the team to trade Hughes, star center JT Miller and Pettersson, they would have looked at you like you had two heads. But now, that is possible.<\/p>\n Rutherford’s comments sound like he’s in store for Canucks fans for a rough ride between now and the March 6 trade deadline. And now there’s no doubt that Vancouver is about to embark on a full rebuild. Whether Pettersson will be there for everything remains to be seen.<\/p>\n