Vancouver Canucks Expect to Hire New General Manager Next Week
Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet was on Sirius XM NHL Network Radio on Wednesday morning with Scott Laughlin and Gord Stellick. There, he was asked where things stand regarding the Vancouver Canucks and their GM search.
NHLRumors.com Transcripts
Scott Laughlin: “I mentioned earlier that Joey Kenward is going to join us, too. We'll talk more about the Canucks. And, in heartbreaking fashion, of course, they get the third pick in the draft coming up, but it is a deep, deep draft, of course, as to what we've been led to believe, whether it's defense or obviously the top two guys, whether it be (Ivar) Stenberg or (Gavin) McKenna, obviously, you get some guys in Caleb Malholtra, obviously, with some ties to Vancouver, would be a perspective pick as well.
But what do you make of Jim Rutherford announcing right in the middle of the fallout from the third pick Friedge that he was going to step aside, step into the background after the draft in June, and that next week, they're going to hire the general manager, possibly next week, the announcement could come out.
What are you hearing about Vancouver in this transition from Jim Rutherford to the new general manager? And are we looking at Pierre Dorion, Ryan Johnson, somebody else? What are you hearing?”
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Elliotte Friedman: “A couple things. Number one, I think we all knew that Jim Rutherford's role as the GM there was coming to an end, and there was a lot of talk about he was going to take more of on an advisory role. I don't think anybody knew the timeline, but now we do. So, I mean, I don't mind the quality. I think it was just a matter of time that happened, but now we know when and how it's going to work.
I will say this, it will be a sad day for the media in the National Hockey League when Jim Rutherford is no longer around the microphone. He's one of the best. But it was time there, and now, at least we know the exact timeline. I was under the impression that they were likely looking into next week before getting done. They had Dorion for an in-person interview, and they had Evan Gold from Boston for an in-person interview.
They had Ryan Bowness from the (New York) Islanders for an in-person interview. Shane Doan, what I think was by Zoom, I don't think he did in person. Ryan Johnson, who I really believe deserves serious consideration and who I think is the guy Rutherford recommended. He's still there. and I think he's still a candidate, but there seems to be some reticence from the Canucks to give them the job, which I disagree with, but that's neither to be here nor there.
I heard I mentioned on the pod that just came out this morning. I believe they have now added Scott White of Dallas to that search. White was the finalist with Chayka in Toronto, didn't get the job. White has kind of been through a run here where he's been in a few different interviews, and people I've spoken to have said that this is a guy who's been next to Jim Nill for a long time and has worked hard to get better at his job. And we will see.
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The other name, and I don't know if he's one of the finalists, but I heard his name the other day, and I was really intrigued by it was Martin Madden of Anaheim, and I heard they interviewed him. I don't know if they did it in person. I don't know where he stands, but Madden has a great reputation for finding players.
He's been a big part of Anaheim's amateur scouting for about 17 years, so I found it very interesting that he was on their list. The other thing here too is that some of these guys, I think they would probably have to hire a President of Hockey Operations instead of just a GM. And so I don't know how this is going to work, but Rutherford even said last night that they're likely going into next week.
That's what I heard, too, and we'll see where it goes. They've done a good job of keeping some names quiet, and so it's been kind of hard to figure out exactly where it all stands.”
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