Self destruction at it's worst?
As always, Vancouver Canucks followers are trying to figure out what their team management is doing. This is not new. This is the history of the Canucks.
So Jim Rutherford's first steps as Director of Hockey Operations was to bring along Patrick Alvin as GM. (He could have brought Charlie McCarthy) Then he adds a staff of specialists doing whatever they do. No one seems clear on their role. Rutherford's intent was obviously to get rid of Bruce Boudreau and replace him because of the faltering team. But the results seem like the management of the franchise is the part that is floundering.
Rutherford came in AFTER the owner had chosen the coach, and it was clear from Day 1 that he was not 'his man'. Boudreau had a contract. If replaced the team would have three coaches being paid. Travis Green, Bruce Boudreau and Rick Tocchet.
But let's get to the point. Fans are wondering if Jim Rutherford really understands his job now. Or is he up to something else?
Start with Tocchet who plead guilty to the charges of illegal sports gambling in 2006 while he was an assistant coach under Wayne Gretsky. Tocchet was given a suspended sentence on condition he testify and refrain from gambling and see a doctor about betting issues. (His partner in the gambling ring got 7 years) Janet Gretsky was also implicated in the New Jersey State Police investigation called Operation Slapshot, which was about illegal sports gambling, money laundering and conspiracy, along with Travis Green, Jeremy Roenick and others. The ring was said to have ties to an Eastern US organized crime family.
So this is Rutherford's choice as head coach. With a losing record in coaching. Wait, it gets even better. Also hired were two assistants coming in with Tocchet, Sergei Gonchar and Adam Foote. Gonchar will apparently coach the defense VIA ZOOM meetings with Canucks' defensive players! He will be with the team only intermittently! Do you believe all this? Yes because it is the Canucks! So can we expect Gonchar to fix our defense from wherever he is at the moment? Evidently Rutherford does.
Is Jim Rutherford trying to steer the team into a 'tank' to get a chance at Conner Bedard in the draft? Ask yourself if Canucks have ever had a favorable draft over Eastern teams in the NHL. The League is run from the East, it is a draft LOTTERY.
Will players want to come here to Vancouver? Do the current players want to STAY here with a bleak future? Will Petterssen want to sign long term and suffer his career through another 3 or 4 year rebuild? Is the team better now? Can it be better after Horvat, Boeser, Schenn, Garland etc leave?
Are hockey fans happy with the new slant of the NHL going heavily into gambling now with ads featuring current players advocating betting for a sure win? Does it herald a new NHL which has to be watched for point shaving in games? We all know how easily players OR Refs can change the outcome of a game.
It all started long ago in the entry draft into the league in 1970, when Buffalo Sabres picked first and chose perennial all-star and Hall of Famer, Gilbert Perrault. Canucks got Dale Tallon. It was a lotto wheel spin and we've been spinning our wheels ever since.
We should have known something was wrong then.
Are hockey fans just dumb people?
