The Vancouver Canucks are one of several teams going through a GM search. After Patrik Allvin’s dismissal, the organization has been going through potential candidates for their front office vacancy.
Some names have emerged as potential candidates. But a report surfaced on Wednesday that suggests an interesting name could be emerging in Vancouver.
Insider Elliotte Friedman reported on Wednesday that the Canucks had requested permission to speak with Toronto Maple Leafs advisor Shane Doan.
Doan joined the Maple Leafs organization in 2023. He’s been a special advisor to the GM, that GM being Brad Treliving.
However, Treliving’s departure from Toronto opened up that vacancy, potentially putting Doan’s role at risk.
The Canucks, meanwhile, are looking at various candidates with Doan emerging as one of the latest. It’s not surprising that Vancouver would have an interest in Doan. As reported earlier here on Heavy, the Canucks are looking to establish a succession plan for current President of Hockey Operations Jim Rutherford.
As such, the expectation is that whoever takes over as GM could eventually move up to President. It seems that the Canucks, at least for now, feel that Doan could fill that role. However, it’s worth noting that Doan has never held a GM role in the past.
Perhaps the plan would be to allow Doan to work his way into the organization, potentially gaining sufficient experience to take over eventually.
Doan Is Somewhat Puzzling Choice for Canucks
Considering the focus on building a succession plan within the organization, it seems somewhat puzzling that the Canucks would be looking to someone like Doan. Unless the plan was to bring him into a similar advisory role, tapping him for GM would be an interesting decision.
Doan lacks the sort of experience that clubs are currently seeking. The trend is to find assistant GMs with specific experience and skill sets, allowing them to transition into a full-time role.
While that idea does not preclude Doan from being a GM, the consensus would indicate that the Canucks might want someone who’s at least been an assistant GM.
What to read next: Canucks GM Firing Was All About the Team’s Succession Plan
Vancouver Working with Two Lists of Candidates
An interesting point that Friedman brought up in Wednesday’s edition of the 32 Thoughts Podcast was the existence of two lists of candidates within the Canucks organization.
According to Friedman, ownership has one list while Rutherford has another. Each side appears to be following up with their candidates separately. What’s unclear is if there will ever be a single shortlist.
Logic would dictate that to be the case. But there’s no telling if Canucks ownership would just override whatever Rutherford might have in mind. If that’s the case, Rutherford’s retirement might be closer than most fans could imagine.
It remains unclear what direction the organization could take. In the meantime, the clock is ticking. The New Jersey Devils were the first team to fill their vacancy, and it seems the Maple Leafs could be next. As such, the Canucks may need to move a bit quickly lest competitors leave them behind.
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