Matt Karash: Jim Rutherford: Intermittent NHL architect of brilliance (Part 1: 2001-02)

Given his inconsistent ability to field a constantly competitive playoff team, it seems the adage "Even a broken clock is accurate twice a day" rings more true to Jim Rutherford and the Canes successes than suggesting it was his talent/ability as a GM that was responsible....

Given his inconsistent ability to field a constantly competitive playoff team, it seems the adage "Even a broken clock is accurate twice a day" rings more true to Jim Rutherford and the Canes successes than suggesting it was his talent/ability as a GM that was responsible....
- TheGame316

I disagree. Out of the 30 teams in the NHL, how many can say they have been to the finals twice and conference finals another time in the past 15 years. There are of course a collection of regulars, but it is not as if everyone occasionally gets a turn.

If you also look at the very specific moves that Rutherford made for each of these runs, it becomes more clear that while there was a hit or miss factor to it, there was also some savvy smarts. If you get a chance, read my part 2 about how he built the 2006 team and let me know if you still think the same.

Given his inconsistent ability to field a constantly competitive playoff team, it seems the adage "Even a broken clock is accurate twice a day" rings more true to Jim Rutherford and the Canes successes than suggesting it was his talent/ability as a GM that was responsible....
- TheGame316

leave it to a penguins fan to best describe how to build a team. tank, tank again, tank again, repeat until a franchise player appears. amazing, post a comment when crosby is done then we'll see how your team is performing,

I agree, he did an amazing job. His strength appears to be finding players on the back side of their career for cheap and squeezing a great season or two out of them. What I didn't like about the way he ran the team was the contracts handed out.

E. Staal makes two million more than Kane, Toews, Sharp, Keith, Hossa - and we're just talking players from the Blackhawks. Semin makes more than all above too and J.Staal, Ward, and Skinner are right there. That leaves no room for impactful role players, especially when you don't get the production you should from the top paid players.

That being said, it's time to be thankful that a woeful franchise moved here, has gone to the finals twice, one once, and made a decent run in the conference championships to boot. Thanks Jim.

I agree, he did an amazing job. His strength appears to be finding players on the back side of their career for cheap and squeezing a great season or two out of them. What I didn't like about the way he ran the team was the contracts handed out.

E. Staal makes two million more than Kane, Toews, Sharp, Keith, Hossa - and we're just talking players from the Blackhawks. Semin makes more than all above too and J.Staal, Ward, and Skinner are right there. That leaves no room for impactful role players, especially when you don't get the production you should from the top paid players.

That being said, it's time to be thankful that a woeful franchise moved here, has gone to the finals twice, one once, and made a decent run in the conference championships to boot. Thanks Jim.
- gocanes15

I agree with you on the overpriced contracts and I also think his track record with finding players through the draft is spotty at best. His best talent was as Matt described in finding castoffs and role players that fit in well in Carolina for cheap.

The degree of negativity seems a little MUCH! regardless of how good or bad any GM is evaluating/ acquiring of talent...there's no way to predict injuries!
As Matt said, i'd rather have the record of winning the CUP (SOMETHING some teams haven't done in decades) and making the finals twice...rather than making the playoffs more times (just to lose in round one)!
Additionally, the years we're talking about, are years where the Canes were basically a budget-team! Acquiring "high-priced" help...wasn't an option!
Though some fans are never happy with anything less than perfection, Carolina hockey has exceeded the records of many "Traditional Market" teams! The future shows promise, IMO, and true hockey fans should be more than satisfied with the product on the ice!

I disagree. Out of the 30 teams in the NHL, how many can say they have been to the finals twice and conference finals another time in the past 15 years. There are of course a collection of regulars, but it is not as if everyone occasionally gets a turn.

If you also look at the very specific moves that Rutherford made for each of these runs, it becomes more clear that while there was a hit or miss factor to it, there was also some savvy smarts. If you get a chance, read my part 2 about how he built the 2006 team and let me know if you still think the same.
- CarolinaMatt63

I see similarities between rutherford and former sabres gm darcy regier. Both look at 06 as the high point in their tenures. The league became a very different place starting in 07. Probably not the worst thing to get a new set of eyeballs in the bosses seat every 5 years or so.