Canucks: How do all pieces fit in complex hockey operations puzzle?

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We have questions. We await answers.

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Familiar faces in new places is nothing new for the Vancouver Canucks.

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However, a revamp of hockey operations that includes Ryan Johnson and the legendary Henrik and Daniel Sedin in elevated roles is going to move the mood meter because of what reportedly occurred Tuesday.

The widely speculated assumption that Boston Bruins assistant general manager Evan Gold would become GM in Vancouver didn’t play out. The Canucks chose familiarity, cost considerations, and the potential of a triumvirate to form the foundation and build a contender.

And also shift the franchise culture from questionable to dependable.

With actual titles and roles to be defined, plus additional hires to augment the alignment, the curiosity is considerable. Will there be a president position to replace the outgoing Jim Rutherford? Or will the highly knowledgeable Sedins function more in a senior advisory capacity as possible presidents or vice-presidents with a portfolio that could extend to running the AHL affiliate in Abbotsford?

That would place Johnson in the general manager post to continue growth after serving as assistant GM here and GM in Abbotsford. But will the Canucks retain their AGMs, or go in another direction to address contract duties and, especially, scouting demands? Then will they need people with a successful track record in those key categories?

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Because a GM usually chooses his head coach, what becomes of Adam Foote and his staff? The last-place Canucks struggled to score and defend with a system that didn’t suit young defencemen, who were often chasing the game, instead of improving.

Add an inability to win where it mattered most by setting a franchise record for futility at home with a 9-27-5 mark, it made for a rough NHL rookie bench boss initiation for Foote. Does he get another chance to right the wrongs?

Abbotsford head coach Manny Malhotra is an NHL bench boss in waiting, and with the Toronto Maple Leafs firing Craig Berube on Wednesday, they are looking for solutions to chart a new course. Malhotra will be on their wish list, but wouldn’t he be better suited in Vancouver to run the Canucks’ bench?

Malhotra helped Linus Karlsson, Aatu Raty, Max Sasson and blueliner Elias Pettersson become NHL regulars. Why not grow the coach as much as the players in the rebuild? All In. All Together. Right?

Johnson’s work to build and guide the Abbotsford Canucks to a Calder Cup championship was a major career stepping stone, but he faces the daunting challenge of navigating the NHL club through the slow slog of a roster rebuild. It will take several years of patience before progress to eventually return to consistent competitiveness.

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The Pacific Division is also going through a power shift — with the Anaheim Ducks, Utah Mammoth and San Jose Sharks embracing various forms of roster re-tools, re-fits and rebuilds. The onus is on this organization to improve drafting and player development because they are essential to the rebuild and have been lacking.

It means moving veteran players with market value to acquire high draft picks to further the rebuild, and not panic. Ownership must be committed and not look for quick-fix solutions to prop up the roster to smooth and shorten the rebuild road.

The Canucks interviewed Martin Madden of the Anaheim Ducks, an assistant GM and director of amateur scouting. He has had a big impact on rebuild manoeuvring to return the franchise to the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time in seven years, and set up Anaheim for future success.

There are four pillars to reconstruction:

• Hit with first-round picks, especially a high selection.

• Make prudent second- and third-round draft plays.

• Trade veterans for futures to add rebuild options.

• Add support pieces who meet age, salary criteria.

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The Ducks checked all those boxes. They have seven players between the ages of 20 and 24, nine veterans in their 30s. It speaks to future potential and the present push, which is a slippery slope. Desperate trades and expensive free-agent plays often sent the Canucks into the ditch.

Anaheim’s roster also sports 10 draft picks, including four first-rounders, plus seven free agents and seven via trades. Leadership deals for vets Chris Kreider, Jacob Trouba and John Carlson, along with young sniper Cutter Gauthier, were prudent.

It’s that kind of vision the Canucks need to adopt, and maybe somebody new at the scouting helm. After all, the numbers don’t lie. The Canucks have had the worst drafting record in the salary-cap era. Then need a proven data-driven expert to take charge.

2006-2015

Vancouver Canucks: 10 years — 62 draft picks — 11 NHL players = 17.7 per cent success rate.

NHL historical average: 10 years — 70 draft picks — 19 NHL players = 28.2 per cent success.

Los Angeles Kings: 10 years — 78 draft picks — 29 NHL players = 37.2 per cent success.

2016-2020

Vancouver Canucks: Five years — 34 draft picks — four NHL players = 11.8 per cent success.

NHL historical average: Five years — 35 draft picks — nine NHL players = 28.2 per cent success.

Los Angeles Kings: Five years — 36 draft picks — 10 NHL players = 27.8 per cent success.

bkuzma@postmedia.com

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