(Vancouver) The president of hockey operations for the Vancouver Canucks acknowledged that the team needs a “major operation”, but did not go so far as to talk about reconstruction.
Jim Rutherford mentioned that the team may have to trade some core members, or even buy out contracts in order to make the necessary changes going forward. This includes increased flexibility in the face of the salary cap and a rejuvenation of the team.
Rutherford made the statement on Monday, at a press conference that covered several topics and was originally intended to focus on the team’s handling of Tanner Pearson’s hand injury, which ended in his season.
The 30-year-old forward fractured his hand in his team’s loss to the Montreal Canadiens on November 9. Originally, he was expected to miss up to six weeks of action. Since then, however, he has undergone several operations. Last week, the Canucks announced that Pearson will not be returning this season.
Rutherford says he conducted a “thorough review” of how the injury was handled and found no one who said Pearson was unhappy with the treatment he received.
The Canucks are 18-22-3 and sit sixth in the Pacific Division, 12 points from a playoff spot.