Vancouver Canucks president of hockey operations Jim Rutherford touched upon a wide array of topics related to his team in a press conference at Rogers Arena on Monday.
The Canucks are in the midst of a chaotic and disappointing 2022–23 season, with major off-season signing J.T. Miller underperforming expectations, star goaltender Thatcher Demko being sidelined with a major injury, and the performances of head coach Bruce Boudreau and team captain Bo Horvat being overshadowed by chatter about their respective futures.
Horvat, 27, already has 30 goals and 48 points in just 43 games with the Canucks this season. He’s also set to become an unrestricted free agent in July after his current contract, carrying a $5.5 million average annual value, runs its course.
With Miller’s long-term extension, worth $8 million per year, set to kick in next season and other large contracts proving difficult to move, the Canucks haven’t had much breathing room to negotiate a new deal with their leading goal-scorer — a fact Rutherford acknowledged during his media availability.
“We haven’t had the opportunity to take those steps,” Rutherford added. “We’re stuck with contracts that we can’t move. Until we move those out or until they expire, it’s going to be hard to take those steps.”
“I believe we’ve taken our best shot [in the Horvat negoations]. With the offer we have on the table right now is fair value for what he’s done up to this year,” Rutherford said. “We’re in a pickle here. He’s had a career run and he’s looking for his money.
It looks like change is on the horizon in Vancouver. Rutherford openly acknowledged that reality on Monday, indicating “all of the core players aren’t going to end up being here.”
If there’s one Canucks personnel change that seems inevitable, it’s at the head coaching position. Boudreau preceded Rutherford in the organization and the president notably opted against signing the head coach to a contract extension before this season.
The Canucks have recently been linked to former Arizona Coyotes head coach Rick Tocchet, who currently works as a television panelist for "NHL on TNT."
Rutherford didn’t give Boudreau a particularly strong endorsement in his press conference on Monday and acknowledged he’s been making calls to replacement candidates.
“All I can say is that Bruce is our coach right now,” Rutherford said. “But with that, I’m calling and talking, but don’t know that we’re making a change and don’t want to make a change.”
Rutherford, along with the Canucks’ medical staff, also provided a brief update on the status of forward Tanner Pearson, who is expected to undergo multiple additional surgeries on his injured wrist after suffering a setback in his recovery.
Further to a report by Elliotte Friedman on the matter over the weekend, Rutherford confirmed the NHL Players’ Association is scheduled to meet with Pearson’s representatives on Monday to identify any potential issues in the Canucks’ handling of the injury.
“Hopefully the right things were done and if they weren’t, hopefully, they are going forward,” Rutherford said.
The Canucks (18–22–3) currently rank sixth in the Pacific Division with 39 points in 43 games. They’ll return to action on Wednesday to host the Tampa Bay Lightning at Rogers Arena.
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