Canucks’ Six Steps to Contention

In a recent THW post, my colleague Mike Fink wrote a solid read about how NHL teams rebuild. In that post, which you can link to below, he noted the Vancouver Canucks’ rebuild. I’d like to spend some time in this post looking specifically at this unique team and how it has so quickly and so successfully morphed into the NHL’s top team. 

Related: 5 Blueprints for Navigating a Successful NHL Rebuild

Currently, the Canucks sit first in the entire NHL with 47 points. In that position, they are tied with the Vegas Golden Knights. However, they have one more win than Vegas. It’s been both a good and a surprising season for the team. Interestingly, it’s come after what could be considered a horrible last season. Not only did the team miss out on the playoffs, but the level of organizational dysfunction was palpable. 

Latest News & Highlights

What a different NHL season this has been in Vancouver.

The Canucks are in playoff contention this season. The team would have to almost fall apart to not make the postseason in 2024. Vancouver has undergone a remarkable transformation, due in large part to a strategic collaboration between Jim Rutherford and Rick Tocchet. While the foundation of the team’s success can be traced back to previous leadership, it was the recent changes cooked up by Rutherford that propelled the Canucks to new heights.

Related: Coach Rick Tocchet Successfully Reshaping Canucks Culture

The Canucks’ roster includes players who were drafted and developed under the previous administration. These players include three key pieces of the team – goalie Thatcher Demko, defenceman and new team captain Quinn Hughes, and forward Elias Pettersson. However, the arrival of Rutherford as the head of hockey operations signaled a turning point. Rutherford’s calculated moves, both in terms of personnel and staff changes, injected fresh energy into the organization.

Rutherford Did Well to Hire Head Coach Rick Tocchet

One of Rutherford’s masterstrokes was hiring Rick Tocchet as the team’s head coach last season. While the firing of Bruce Boudreau was more than a bit of a gong show, the move was strategically wise. Despite the unfortunate transition period in Tocchet’s arrival, the impact has been evident, with players responding positively to his coaching strategy and philosophy. Tocchet’s coaching style, marked by accountability and a demand for a cohesive team effort, has been instrumental in the Canucks’ on-ice success.