Vancouver Canucks President of Hockey Operations Jim Rutherford is officially leaving his post.

Following Tuesday’s NHL Draft Lottery, Rutherford announced he will step away from the team’s day-to-day operations, but will stay on as an advisor and Alternate Governor, per Sportsnet’s Brendan Batchelor. The change will take effect after the draft and selection of a new general manager. He added that they haven’t yet decided on the structure of the new front office, which could see one person step in as president and GM, or have two separate hirings.

Rutherford has served as Canucks president since December 2021. Shortly after he came in, he oversaw the hiring of Patrik Allvin as the franchise’s 12th general manager. In January 2024, Rutherford was signed to a multi-year extension. This came after the 2023-24 season, in which the Canucks won the Pacific Division for the first time and took the eventual Stanley Cup Finalist Edmonton Oilers to seven games in the Western Conference Semifinals.

In the two years since, things have gone downhill quickly in Vancouver. This year, the Canucks finished dead last in the league with 58 points, missing the postseason for a second consecutive season. Reported turmoil in the team’s dressing room led to JT Miller being traded to the New York Rangers two seasons ago. Then, captain Quinn Hughes was dealt to the Minnesota Wild this year amid a lack of commitment to his future in Vancouver.

Last month, the Canucks announced they had fired Allvin. Since then, the search has been on for the team’s 13th GM as they pivot to a rebuild and decide on the new franchise’s direction. Earlier in the day, it was reported that the search is down to five candidates. Vancouver’s new GM will have their work cut out for them, with the NHL Draft less than two months away. This year, the Canucks will select third overall after losing the Draft Lottery. That being said, they will still emerge with a strong prospect amid what many consider a deep draft.