Jim Rutherford puts his stamp on the Canucks with a round of firings

Jim Rutherford was hired by the Vancouver Canucks just a day ago as President of Hockey Operations and interim GM, but it didn't take him long to put his stamp on the team. According to reports, Rutherford has already decided to fire some people, including Executive Director of Hockey Operations Jonathan Wall and assistant GM Chris Gear.

Jim Rutherford's stamp will begin to be felt in this organization immediately.

Hearing changes in #Canucks hockey operations are already being made.

Not sure of the full extent, but Executive Director of Hockey Ops. Jonathan Wall and AGM Chris Gear have been dismissed.— Thomas Drance (@ThomasDrance) December 10, 2021

Wall had been part of the organization for over 15 years, while Gear had been with the Canucks for over a decade. Gear had been promoted to assistant general manager in 2020.

While Rutherford will only act as GM until a new one is found, it has been made very clear in reports that Vancouver is and will remain his team. He gets the final say on anything that happens.

Rutherford comes with an impressive resume, winning a Stanley Cup as GM of the Carolina Hurricanes (2006), and another two as GM of the Pittsburgh Penguins (2016, 2017). He has stated he will not run the Canucks the same way he ran the Penguins, as Pittsburgh was in win-now mode during his tenure and Rutherford traded away futures in order to bolster the team for the playoffs. He has said Vancouver needs its young players and draft picks in order to be better down the road.

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