Canucks: The best way to construct a Stanley Cup contender, based on Jim Rutherford

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To attempt to win is to simply accept that you’re more than likely to lose.

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Simply have a look at final 12 months’s Stanley Cup playoffs: the Tampa Bay Lightning and Toronto Maple Leafs had been each sizzling contenders to win all of it, however in addition they knew that they had been prone to face one another within the first spherical.

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However neither workforce cared and so they did every little thing they may to bolster their squad, regardless of a 50 per cent probability the work would all be for naught.

Danger is a part of the sport of constructing a Stanley Cup contender, Vancouver Canucks president of hockey operations Jim Rutherford stated Wednesday.

“You had that with Boston final 12 months, too, who had a historic 12 months and nonetheless misplaced within the first spherical. There’s so many issues that may occur and knock you out,” he stated.

If you happen to assume your workforce is a transfer or two away from actually getting into the league’s elite tier, discover a solution to do it, Rutherford says. And don’t be afraid of not popping out on high ultimately.

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In spite of everything, he is aware of properly the enterprise of constructing a Stanley Cup contender. He’s been the overall supervisor for 3 Stanley Cup winners and a finalist.

His Carolina Hurricanes made the cup ultimate in 2002. 4 years later they made a return to ultimate. That 12 months his Hurricanes received.

Forward of that 2006 Stanley Cup win, Rutherford took some large swings. He bought forward of the commerce market and picked up Doug Weight in January 2006, two months forward of the commerce deadline.

On the 2006 deadline, Rutherford went a step additional, including Mark Recchi to a lineup that may win the Southeast Division and end fourth general within the league, forward of an epic march to a primary Stanley Cup title for the Hurricanes’ franchise.

That workforce was led offensively by a pair of younger stars in Eric Staal and Justin Williams; the supporting gamers included grizzled veterans similar to Rod Brind’Amour, Ray Whitney, Erik Cole, Aaron Ward, Bret Hedican and Frank Kaberle.

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And a decade later, Rutherford guided the Pittsburgh Penguins to back-to-back cups. These groups had been led, in fact, by Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang.

In 2015-16, forward of the season Rutherford added Phil Kessel and Nick Bonino. Throughout the season he shored up the Pens’ depth, including Trevor Daley and Carl Hagelin midseason, then Justin Schultz on the commerce deadline. He additionally modified coaches, firing Mike Johnston in December, changing him with Mike Sullivan.

The following season, Rutherford ran practically the identical roster and solely made two offers, once more for depth: Ron Hainsey, who performed each recreation within the playoffs, and Mark Streit, who performed down the stretch however was a bit participant within the playoffs.

The Canucks’ brass had been hopeful about this season — in case you recall Rutherford’s pre-season assertion that if every little thing went properly, they’ve make the playoffs — however definitely look forward to finding themselves in competitors to be the league’s high workforce.

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“It’s a credit score to the gamers and the coaches. Guys got here in prepared and labored laborious in the summertime. They’ve executed Tocc’s plan,” he stated. “And most issues have gone proper. You at all times hope you might be on the high — however no, we didn’t assume this.”

He is aware of that you simply mustn’t be afraid to make a transfer in case you assume it can make your workforce higher, particularly while you’re near being a cup contender.

The query of pushing your chips in, of going all-in has provide you with Rutherford, common supervisor Patrik Allvin and their employees.

“We’ve been having these discussions for a couple of weeks, a minimum of three weeks, about the place we may go,” Rutherford stated.

“We really feel fairly good with the place we’re at. Now we’re right here and have a look at how our gamers have carried out. What else we may do?”

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Does that imply including gamers?

“Presumably,” Rutherford stated. “You might want to see what comes up.”

After which there’s the elephant within the room: Elias Pettersson. Their celebrity centre is within the ultimate 12 months of his contract and will signal a contract extension any time.

The Canucks wish to re-sign him, presumably at no matter value it might take. Allvin admitted to Sportsnet this week that such little negotiation with Pettersson’s representatives J.P. Barry and Pat Brisson is uncommon.

However the truth he’s nonetheless unsigned isn’t going to have an effect on their decision-making for this season, Rutherford stated.

“No. Doesn’t have an effect on your choices. We now have the participant below management for an additional 12 months,” he stated. “The main focus is on what the participant must be doing within the video games proper now. And it’s been superb.”

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