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Canucks hire Jim Rutherford as president, will lead GM search
The Vancouver Canucks fired head coach Travis Green and general manager Jim Benning this past Sunday following a lackluster start to the 2021-22 NHL season that currently has the club at 10-15-2.
Per the NHL's website, Vancouver hired Jim Rutherford as president of hockey operations and interim general manager. Rutherford will be responsible for leading a search for the team's long-term GM.
"It is an honor to join the Vancouver Canucks and to lead an NHL team in Canada," Rutherford said on Thursday. "I would like to thank [owner] Francesco [Aquilini] and the Aquilini family for the opportunity. The Canucks have an exciting young group of players, and I look forward to building a plan that will take this team to the next level and excite Canucks fans everywhere."
Rutherford is a three-time Stanley Cup champion as an executive who helped build Pittsburgh squads that won titles in 2016 and 2017 before he surprisingly left the Pens due to unspecified personal reasons in January 2021. He also guided the Carolina Hurricanes to a Stanley Cup championship in 2006 as general manager and president.
"It is time for a new vision and a new leader who will set a path forward for this team," Aquilini added. "Jim has tremendous experience building and leading winning organizations and I believe he will help build the Vancouver Canucks into a team that can compete for championships again."
Couldn't be more pleased! https://t.co/9LEVWRDMAZ
— Francesco Aquilini (@fr_aquilini) December 9, 2021
Bruce Boudreau replaced Green and won his first two games in charge. Vancouver hosts the 12-9-4 Winnipeg Jets on Friday night.
More must-reads:
- Canucks fans give team standing ovation after win in Bruce Boudreau’s debut
- The Canucks clean house: The bitter and the sweet of it
- The 'Vancouver Canucks captains' quiz
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Hockey Canada announces preliminary roster for 2026 Olympics
Hockey Canada will host an orientation camp from Aug. 26 to 28 in Calgary in preparation for its men’s, women’s and para hockey teams as they begin to formulate their rosters for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy, the governing body announced Friday. That number includes 42 NHL players, locking in a list of potential names for the final rosters, which can be a maximum of 25 players (22 skaters, three goalies). The IIHF had previously announced Sidney Crosby, Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, Connor McDavid, Brayden Point, and Sam Reinhart as the country’s first six players back in June. One position that appears set for the Canadians is goaltending. Only three netminders are on their orientation camp roster: Jordan Binnington, Adin Hill, and Sam Montembeault. That’s the same trio that backstopped Canada to a win in February’s 4 Nations Face-Off. Here’s the full initial talent pool that Canada’s braintrust will be choosing from, with an asterisk by each of the six players already locked into the roster: Forwards Connor Bedard (Blackhawks) Sam Bennett (Panthers) Quinton Byfield (Kings) Macklin Celebrini (Sharks) Anthony Cirelli (Lightning) Sidney Crosby (Penguins)* Brandon Hagel (Lightning) Bo Horvat (Islanders) Zach Hyman (Oilers) Seth Jarvis (Hurricanes) Wyatt Johnston (Stars) Travis Konecny (Flyers) Nathan MacKinnon (Avalanche)* Brad Marchand (Panthers) Mitch Marner (Golden Knights) Connor McDavid (Oilers)* Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (Oilers) Brayden Point (Lightning)* Sam Reinhart (Panthers)* Mark Scheifele (Jets) Mark Stone (Golden Knights) Nick Suzuki (Canadiens) John Tavares (Maple Leafs) Robert Thomas (Blues) Carter Verhaeghe (Panthers) Tom Wilson (Capitals) Defensemen Evan Bouchard (Oilers) Noah Dobson (Canadiens) Drew Doughty (Kings) Aaron Ekblad (Panthers) Thomas Harley (Stars) Cale Makar (Avalanche)* Brandon Montour (Kraken) Josh Morrissey (Jets) Colton Parayko (Blues) Travis Sanheim (Flyers) Shea Theodore (Golden Knights) Devon Toews (Avalanche) MacKenzie Weegar (Flames) Goaltenders Jordan Binnington (Blues) Adin Hill (Golden Knights) Sam Montembeault (Canadiens) Hockey Canada has already announced its front office, led by Blues GM Doug Armstrong with Lightning GM Julien BriseBois, Stars GM Jim Nill, and Bruins GM Don Sweeney as his assistants. Penguins GM Kyle Dubas is Canada’s director of player personnel and also had input in orientation camp selection, per the release, along with head coach Jon Cooper and former Ducks captain Ryan Getzlaf, who’s with the team as a player relations advisor.
Steelers Spark Crazy Trade Rumors After Cowboys' Micah Parsons' Prior Comments Resurface
Khan has openly said he will never pass up the chance to explore opportunities that could improve the team. On Friday, news broke that Parsons requested a trade out of Dallas. While the possibility of landing Parsons remains a long shot, this request provides Khan with a rare window to investigate whether there’s a way to bring one of the league’s most dominant pass rushers to Pittsburgh. Earlier in February 2025, Parsons spoke with former Steelers cornerback turned analyst Bryant McFadden about the Steelers. During the conversation, McFadden joked that the Steelers logo would look good on Parsons. Parsons responded playfully, saying he would love to play for Mike Tomlin, adding fuel to the speculation that a move to Pittsburgh might not be completely out of the question. "Nah, I rock with the Steelers," Parsons said. "I said if I ever return home it was going to be Pittsburgh. I mess with Mike Tomlin the long way." It’s no secret that Tomlin is one of the most popular head coaches in the NFL. Many players have expressed a strong desire to play for him, and that reputation has sometimes helped the Steelers attract top talent. A prime example of this is when the Steelers convinced four-time league MVP Aaron Rodgers to join the team, a move that energized the fanbase and boosted expectations. The idea of Parsons lining up alongside TJ Watt and the rest of Pittsburgh’s elite defense is both thrilling and intimidating. While it remains a very far-fetched possibility, Parsons’ recent comments about wanting to play for the Steelers have sparked excitement among fans. These remarks, made in 2025, add fuel to the speculation that a trade could be in the cards, even if the odds are slim. Parsons, who grew up in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, shared a message on social media Friday explaining what really led to his trade request. If Parsons has any influence over his next destination, and if Khan can work his magic, the Steelers might just have a slim but real chance to pull off a trade. Landing Parsons would instantly make Pittsburgh’s defense one of the most fearsome in NFL history, though it remains an ambitious long shot. Steelers Chances Of Trading For Micah Parsons Are Low While the thought of Parsons playing in the black and gold for the 2025 season is certainly exciting, the logistics would be very complex, though not impossible. Parsons is clearly unhappy with the Cowboys, and Jerry Jones has not helped their chances of keeping him satisfied. He officially wants out, and now is the time for Khan to see if there’s any logical way to pull off a crazy trade.
Top Micah Parsons landing spots as Cowboys' contract talks deteriorate
The relationship between superstar pass-rusher Micah Parsons and the Dallas Cowboys doesn't appear to be improving. ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter reported earlier in the week that the two sides were moving backward in their contract negotiations. On Friday, Parsons posted on his social media that he had requested a trade out of Dallas. However, The Athletic's Dianna Russini claimed the Cowboys have "no intention" of trading him. Given this information, let's take a look at three landing spots that make the most sense for Parsons. Denver Broncos The Broncos allowed the third-fewest amount of points in 2024-25 (311 points), per ESPN stats, and already have one of the best defensive units in football. Linebacker Dre Greenlaw, safety Talanoa Hufanga and cornerback Jahdae Barron were added to the group this offseason, so why not continue to bolster? Denver owns all of its upcoming draft picks over the next three years, which could be used in a package to acquire Parsons. They are also set to have a ton of cap space available for 2026 and 2027, enabling them to put forth the contract offer that Parsons is seeking. With three more seasons of quarterback Bo Nix on a rookie deal, the Broncos could take advantage and go all in on the superstar pass-rusher, making a potent front seven that much more dangerous. Los Angeles Chargers The team that allowed even fewer points than the Broncos last season? The Chargers (301 points). Head coach Jim Harbaugh immediately righted the ship defensively upon his arrival, but there remain holes to fill. They've shed plenty of money in recent years, which included a former third-overall pick from 2016 in DE Joey Bosa. It's now time to use that cap space to bring in a difference maker on defense. Like Denver, Los Angeles holds all of its own draft picks from 2026 through 2028 and is capable of putting the pieces together to pry Parsons out of Dallas. Not only could the Chargers compensate the 26-year-old, but it's likely he would be fine with calling Los Angeles home. New England Patriots The Patriots currently have the most cap space in the NFL and are in a prime position to strike at any moment. It's been a difficult last few seasons in Foxborough, but the vibe has changed with new head coach Mike Vrabel taking over. The Patriots culture is back, and it's now up to the front office to provide Vrabel with more talent on both sides of the ball. New England is in desperate need of a game-breaking player. Parsons fits the mold perfectly. The Pats had a league-worst 28 sacks last season, per ESPN stats, so the pass rush could use some help. General manager Eliot Wolf is well-equipped with draft capital to feel comfortable making such a move.
Report: Knicks made a signing based on Giannis Antetokounmpo trade belief
The New York Knicks aren't waiting for the offseason drama surrounding Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks to end before taking care of a key signing for their roster this summer. Per Shams Charania of ESPN, the Knicks signed Mikal Bridges to a four-year deal worth $150M on Thursday. "New York Knicks forward Mikal Bridges has agreed to a four-year, $150 million contract extension with the franchise, agents Sam Goldfeder and Jordan Gertler of Excel Sports Management tell ESPN," Charania posted on X. "The new deal includes a player option for 2029-30 and a trade kicker." Bridges' extension might not have happened if the Knicks believed they had a serious shot to land an elite player in a trade this summer. Per Ashish Mathur of Hoops Wire, the Knicks made their decision to sign Bridges to a new deal after they learned Antetokounmpo plans to stay in Milwaukee. "The New York Knicks got intel that Giannis Antetokounmpo won’t request a trade from the Milwaukee Bucks before signing Mikal Bridges to an extension, an NBA source told Hoops Wire on Thursday," Mathur wrote. "...The Knicks would have pursued Giannis Antetokounmpo had the two-time MVP requested a trade from the Bucks. All signs point toward Antetokounmpo remaining in Milwaukee." Due to the player option Bridges has in his new deal, the guard cannot be traded for at least six months. Mathur's report signals the reality that New York wants to land another star to pair with Jalen Brunson. However, the Knicks might not make a big splash until the trade deadline next year. The Knicks need a big man who can score and play defense at a high level in the playoffs, something Karl-Anthony Towns was unable to do in the Eastern Conference Finals.
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