The Vancouver Canucks have rediscovered the recipe for victory since the upheaval in the hockey department, but the new president of hockey operations, Jim Rutherford, is no fool.
If the newcomer currently prioritizes the search for a general manager among all the tasks to which he must tackle, he still takes the time to properly analyze the current training.
Thus, he targeted some problematic elements, starting with the contribution of the last two lines. Juho Lammikko (three points in 27 games), Jason Dickinson (four points in 31 games), Alex Chiasson (six points in 28 games) and Tyler Motte (four points in 19 games), in particular, struggle to register regularly. to the tally sheet.
“We need to get offensive production from our last six forwards,” Rutherford said in an interview with Postmedia on Friday. I think these guys are playing well. I’m not going to say they don’t work there. But you can’t count on four or five players every night to score. “
Difficult
With the resurgence of COVID-19, however, it could be difficult to transact. Teams might prefer caution given protocols that decimate the ranks when there are outbreaks.
“Maybe these guys can pick themselves up and start contributing. And if they can’t, then we have to consider changes, Rutherford warned. And changing them will not be easy. It won’t be easy in the middle of the season. Especially with what all teams are dealing with, with COVID-19. I suspect doing transactions at this point is probably getting a little more difficult. ”
No reconstruction
Despite everything, there was no question of panicking. In Rutherford’s eyes, reconstruction will not be necessary. But there is no question of plunging into the void and going all out. At least not for now.
“I don’t think reconstruction is necessary,” said Rutherford. But it is certain that there has to be a transition to become a stronger team in order to be regularly in the playoffs. ”
“Our course going forward will be not to trade high picks in the draft. Every time we do a deal, it will be for younger players. We will try to make this team stronger over the next two years to become a regular playoff team. ”
In the midst of an eight-game streak with at least one point (7-0-1), the Canucks were two points from a place in the playoff portrait before the games scheduled for Sunday in the National League.