With the Vancouver Canucks sitting at the bottom of the NHL standings, a rebuild is inevitable.
What that exactly looks like remains to be seen, but president of hockey operations Jim Rutherford has some ideas.
Speaking to Darren Millard and John Shannon on the 100% Hockey Podcast Thursday, Rutherford admitted he'd like to see more Canadians on Vancouver's roster in the future.
“We would love to have more Canadian players," Rutherford said. "I’ll make that very clear. But if there’s a player, from whatever country in the world that can come contribute to the Vancouver Canucks, we’re going after that player. At this point in time, when I look at our team, I’d like to see us have more Canadian players on it.”
Jake DeBrusk, Evander Kane, Tyler Myers and Pierre-Olivier Joseph are the only Canadian-born players on the Canucks' active roster this season.
And with DeBrusk, Kane and Myers all possible trade targets for contending teams, that number could dwindle even further by the March 6 deadline.
Rutherford also spoke to the team's plans ahead of the trade deadline, stating that a good chunk of the team is available for the right price and that young assets are the target for the team moving forward.
"We'll be as active as possible if, in fact, something makes sense for our return. We're not out looking to just give away players," Rutherford said. "I don't know how many younger players — mid-20s to younger — are gonna be available that we can acquire, but we're gonna look at all possibilities. Sticking to that plan of staying younger, getting a group together that can come together over the next couple years as a team."
Rutherford added that — while they won't part with guys blindly — there aren't too many untouchables on the Canucks roster
"There are some, I won't get into them," Rutherford explained. "I don't wanna suggest that all our players are available, because they're not. But I would say the list is relatively short."
With a league-worst record of 18-33-7, the Canucks are eight points behind the next closest team, which gives them the inside track at the top lottery odds for the 2026 NHL Draft.
