Jim Rutherford rarely disappoints at a microphone and Friday’s media availability in the wake of the dismissal of his long-time associate Patrik Allvin as General Manager of the Vancouver Canucks was no exception. Rutherford was his candid self as he addressed the decision to relieve Allvin of his duties on Thursday afternoon as well as touching on a number of other team-related topics. Here are seven takeaways from Rutherford’s address to Canucks fans:

1) Rutherford may not remain in his position as President of Hockey Operations much longer

The now 77-year-old hockey boss was asked pointed questions about his long-term commitment to the organization. Rutherford mentioned that when he was first approached by owner Francesco Aquilini, he agreed to come for two years to see if he could help. He’s now been at the helm for parts of four seasons. And on Friday, Rutherford made it abundantly clear that he has contemplated an exit strategy – possibly as early as this summer.

“I’ve got to tell you, like anybody else thinking about this team this year, I had a lot of thoughts about my future. But right now, my focus is on getting a GM and getting through the draft. And when I do that, I will think a lot more seriously about what makes sense. So I’m at least at that stage that I’m thinking about it.”

2) Rutherford pledged to give the next general manager full autonomy over hockey decisions

While it was never easy to fully understand the complete scope of Patrik Allvin’s powers as General Manager with a President of Hockey Operations above him, Rutherford made it clear on Friday that he wants to give the new GM absolute control when it comes to key decision making about the roster, player personnel, contracts, and other hockey-related matters.

“I want the new GM to make all hockey decisions. Now, he may not make decisions about the practice rink or where training camp is. These are some of the things that a president would do. As for hockey-related with the players, he will make those decisions. “

3) Rutherford showed a much-needed level of accountability in apologizing to fan base for dismal season

It felt important for Rutherford to open his remarks Friday by addressing the Canucks’ fan base. He did that with what felt like true contrition. Far too often, it seems, the organization fails to recognize the importance of this hockey club to the community. People invest in the Canucks with their money, time and emotion. The Canucks let their fans down in a massive way this season. So it was the right move to open his address by letting the fan base know that’s frustration has been felt by those in charge.

“We just came to the end of a year that was really bad. Frustrating a lot of times. Hard to watch for the fans. So it’s important for me to acknowledge the fans first. In a year like this, the fans kept coming. They were loyal, they were respectful to the players, and they supported the team all the way through. And that does not go unnoticed. We’re acknowledging the obvious that this was a very difficult year and saying thank you.”

4) Rutherford revealed more layers of toxicity in the Canucks locker room

More than a year after resolving the JT Miller-Elias Pettersson feud by moving Miller to the New York Rangers, Rutherford revealed that locker room toxicity remained a massive issue for the Canucks this season. While he didn’t name names or point fingers, he made it abundantly clear that the mood in the room was considerably better following the March 6th trade deadline.

“It was really bad. Since the trade deadline and since the young character energy players have come in here and stepped up, the chemistry and the culture in the Canucks dressing room over the past five weeks is the best it’s been since I’ve been here. If that didn’t get cleaned up, I can guarantee it wasn’t going anywhere. Now with that team chemistry, this team has a chance to move forward and let every play enjoy coming to the rink and not have to worry about someone barking at them in practice or somebody picking on them in the room or whatnot. This group is tightly knit. This team is going in the right direction.

5) Rutherford admitted contracts for veterans last summer were a last ditch effort to appease Quinn Hughes

Rutherford flat out admitted that significant contracts for veterans Brock Boeser, Conor Garland and Thatcher Demko last July 1st were offered in attempt to convince Quinn Hughes to remain in Vancouver. However, at the same time, Rutherford copped to the fact he knew well before then that Hughes wanted out. So it reflects the desperation of the front office a year ago to offer ill-advised contracts knowing the probable outcome when it came to convincing Hughes to stick around.

“I’ve known for some time that Quinn was not staying in Vancouver. I’ve known before this season started for that matter. It’s one of the reasons we signed Boeser, Garland and Demko – guys that had relationships with him – hoping for a little bit of a chance right down to the end that he would stay here. But I don’t think that was ever in the cards.

6) Rutherford believes the Canucks can make significant strides as soon as next season

After signalling a rebuild with the Quinn Hughes trade and famously uttering the word itself for the first time, Rutherford suggested on Friday that he sees a way that next season can be appreciably better than this year’s 58-point last place finish. This is where many Canucks fans get squeamish because they’ve seen this organization seek short-cuts and band-aid solutions too many times in the past. Yet again, good health for the hockey club and Thatcher Demko seem to be big parts of Rutherford’s plan.

“Obviously the new GM will make some changes. I would suspect there will be at least three new first year guys in. We count (Jonathan) Lekkerimaki as a first year guy. (Braeden) Cootes. And whoever we pick at the top of the first round, we hope that player is ready to play. I would think that if the GM would add a couple of veteran players – hopefully good characters and mentors – and if you blend those, you get healthy and Demko is back to where he was, then this team should take a big step forward. I believe we have a very exciting team and a team that people are going to have fun watching and watch grow.”

7) Rutherford wants ownership in on the final interviews for the new GM hire

While Jim Rutherford said he would begin the process of compiling a long list of potential GM candidates on his own starting this weekend, as he narrows his scope and prepares a short list, he wants ownership to get involved in the final decision.

“I’m going to want ownership in the interviews. Not the initial ones. But once it gets narrowed down to a smaller group – three or five guys – I would really want ownership to be in that. Francesco has the right to ask whatever he wants or be part of it or just sit and listen. It’s important to have his input on it.”

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