Blame Game: Why the Vancouver Canucks' Struggles Start with Jim Rutherford and Patrik Allvin
As we enter 2025, the Vancouver Canucks find themselves far from the dominant team that sat atop the NHL standings a year ago.
Currently clinging to the second wild card spot, with a grueling schedule ahead, it's evident that something has gone awry.
While fingers are being pointed at players and coaches, it's high time to acknowledge the role of management in this season's shortcomings.
In a candid interview with Sportsnet, GM Patrik Allvin didn't shy away from critiquing his star players - minus Quinn Hughes - and head coach Rick Tocchet.
He emphasized the need for better performances from players like Elias Pettersson, J.T. Miller, and Brock Boeser, while maintaining that consistency is Tocchet's responsibility.
Yet, what's glaringly missing is management's accountability in constructing a flawed roster.
The Canucks' defensive struggles have been a recurring theme this season, exacerbated by injuries to Hughes and Filip Hronek.
Noah Juulsen, a depth defender at best, has been thrust into a top-four role - a clear indicator of how thin the Canucks' defensive depth truly is.
The issue isn't just injuries; it's the lack of foresight in building a blue line capable of handling adversity.
Instead of investing in a legitimate top-four defenseman during the offseason, the Canucks allocated precious cap space to depth players like Derek Forbort and Vincent Desharnais.
These decisions have left the team relying on third-pairing defenders in crucial situations, crippling their ability to move the puck effectively and support Tocchet's system.
Tocchet's goal to create an aggressive, rush-based offense has been stifled by a defense incapable of transitioning the puck efficiently.
Without Hughes anchoring the blue line, the Canucks are forced into a grind-it-out, low-event style that minimizes their offensive potential.
This isn't a failure of coaching but rather a direct consequence of management's offseason priorities.
If the Canucks want to salvage their season, Allvin and Jim Rutherford must address the glaring deficiencies on defense.
It's one thing to hold players and coaches accountable, but ignoring management's role in these struggles is a disservice to everyone involved.
A competitive roster starts with smart roster construction - something the Canucks desperately need to prioritize moving forward.
