Jim Rutherford Not in the Running for Red Wings GM Position, Insider Reports

As the search for a new general manager heats up in Hockeytown, one name that has stirred speculation is Jim Rutherford, a three-time Stanley Cup champion and former president of hockey operations for the Vancouver Canucks. However, according to NHL insider Jeff Marek, it appears that Rutherford is not being considered for the position.

On a recent episode of Daily Faceoff’s “The Sheet,” Marek addressed the ongoing buzz surrounding Rutherford, stating, “To my knowledge, there is nothing between the Red Wings and Jim Rutherford; to my knowledge, not part of the process.” This news comes as a surprise to many, given Rutherford’s deep ties to Detroit, where he was selected 10th overall in the 1969 NHL Draft and played a significant portion of his career with the Red Wings.

During his 13 seasons in the NHL, Rutherford appeared in 457 games, with 314 of those as a member of the Red Wings. His time in Detroit was marked by a challenging era for goalies, where he posted a record of 97-165-43 alongside a 3.69 goals-against average and an .876 save percentage.

Rutherford’s connection to the Red Wings extends beyond his playing days. He began his front-office career as the general manager of the Ontario Hockey League’s Windsor Spitfires from 1984 to 1988, before serving as president and GM of the Detroit Compuware Ambassadors, later known as the Detroit Jr. Red Wings, from 1990 to 1994. This experience paved the way for his leap into the NHL, joining the Hartford Whalers as a minority owner, president, and GM.

After overseeing the Whalers through their relocation to Carolina, Rutherford continued to guide the Hurricanes until the end of the 2014-15 season before taking the helm of the Pittsburgh Penguins. He enjoyed great success in Pittsburgh, winning back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2016 and 2017, and earning the Jim Gregory General Manager of the Year Award in 2016. His impressive career led to his induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2019.

Now at 77 years old, Rutherford has transitioned into a senior advisor role with the Canucks, stepping back from daily operations after a lengthy and successful career in hockey. Given his desire to reduce his workload, Marek’s report that there is no mutual interest between Rutherford and the Red Wings for the GM position seems to align with both parties’ current trajectories.

As the Red Wings continue their search for a new general manager, the focus will shift to other potential candidates, leaving Rutherford to enjoy a well-deserved lighter workload while remaining connected to the game he has dedicated nearly half a century to.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.