The Vancouver Canucks are reportedly considering a significant restructuring of their hockey operations department, with former Los Angeles Kings executive Mike Futa emerging as a key candidate. According to a source familiar with the situation, Futa has already interviewed with the organization, which may be planning changes beyond hiring a new president, general manager, and head coach.
Futa's Impressive Track Record
Mike Futa, 58, spent 13 seasons with the Kings, serving as assistant general manager, vice-president of hockey operations, and director of player personnel. Alongside Mark Yannetti, he helped build the Stanley Cup-winning rosters of 2012 and 2014 through exceptional scouting and development. Their partnership has been compared to that of Mike Gillis and Laurence Gilman in Vancouver.
After leaving the Kings in 2020, Futa spent the last five years as a special advisor to the Carolina Hurricanes' general manager while also working as an analyst for Sportsnet. Yannetti, 54, remains with the Kings as director of amateur scouting after 20 seasons.
Potential Dream Team for Canucks
The source suggested that hiring both Futa and Yannetti would be ideal, as their chemistry and effectiveness mirror the successful partnership of Gillis and Gilman. If the tandem comes to fruition, they might target former Kings president Dean Lombardi as a senior advisor.
Futa's philosophy emphasizes building from the back end with defensemen who can handle pressure, move pucks, and defend aggressively. He values the draft-and-develop model and has a knack for finding talent in later rounds. His approach includes blending analytics, character intelligence, former players' insights, and intuitive decision-making.
Critical Draft Ahead
The Canucks hold four picks in the first two rounds and nine overall in the upcoming draft, making it crucial to have experienced scouts in place. The source warned that a poor draft could extend the team's rebuild from five to seven years. Recent draft picks like Jonathan Lekkerimaki, Elias Pettersson, and Tom Willander have shown promise but have also faced challenges, including injuries.
With many scouting staff contracts expiring, the Canucks face a pivotal moment. Bringing in Futa and Yannetti before the draft could provide the expertise needed to make the right selections and accelerate the team's return to contention.
