Did the Canucks Make The Right Hires?

 After a roller coaster week that saw a handful of Canucks management fired and a new coach hired which has led to an impressive 4-0 start to the new ERA of Canucks hockey, it's time to evaluate what the Canucks did. 

Bruce Boudreau: 

I like the hire. It means that something has to give. Either the Canucks turn the ship around this year or Bruce Boudreau will have his first losing season as a NHL coach. This doesn't mean we are guaranteed to make the playoffs but finishing with a winning record from the hire to the end of the season will atleast keep most of the optimism for next year. 

Should go without saying but if the Canucks can avoid finishing in the 9th-13th draft standings then this shouldn't be a long turn around. Drafting 14th-16th would be bittersweet but would likely signal that the Canucks played meaningful games in March. 

Next year will be Boudreau's key test. Hopefully an ultimatum. Make the playoffs and he gets a contract extension and if he misses he should be fired. It won't be that easy, injuries and puck luck does happen. We still should be in a win now approach. Lots to look forward to and considering this team two years ago was around 500. at this time that year should be noted. 

There is a couple of things that feel different. The playoff bar seems high. Right now, Las Vegas and Colorado hold down the wildcard spots and those teams will likely finish higher in the standings. That leaves it to Calgary or Anaheim to fall out of a playoff spot. I'm surprised by both teams starts and it will take a lot for one to miss the playoffs. The other thing that might hold Vancouver back is just how competitive the Western Conference is. For instance, Chicago thought they might challenge for the playoffs and have struggled. Dallas and Winnipeg have good rosters are also on the outside looking in. The Canucks have five teams to hop over if they want to be in the playoff race which is just as daunting as their six points back which could rise to 10 if the Golden Knights win their games in hand. 

Jim Rutherford: 

I love this hire but it's a shame that he is 72 years old. He needs to hire a GM that carries out his vision when he retires. Benning was here almost eight years and the whole time we were two years away from being two years away. If Rutherford is here eight years then that brings him to 80. This would likely bring him to retirement if not sooner. Therefore, he needs to hire people that see what he sees. Rutherford might be the best GM in NHL history. He had a 17 year long run with the Carolina Hurricanes He won a Stanley Cup in nine years. Basically taking over a mediocre team that had just relocated from Hartford. 

He made key moves including trading for Doug Weight the year they won. I trust his skills to make Vancouver good again. 

I really hope this is the turning point the organization needs. I'm hopeful but would not put a dime on it. If the next 15 years doesn't work out, Francesco Aquilini might as well just sell the team. We need the next regime to work out.