As the hockey world awaits official confirmation, Ryan Johnson is expected to be named the new head of the Vancouver Canucks' hockey operations department. This development comes after the failed recruitment of Evan Gold, who was initially believed to be the frontrunner for the general manager position.
What Went Wrong with Evan Gold?
Until Tuesday morning, most insiders believed Evan Gold would join the Canucks as the team's new general manager. However, those plans have fallen through. Gold was reportedly set to bring Boston Bruins assistant general manager Jamie Langenbrunner and director of analytics Jeremy Rogalski with him. With Gold out, those moves are off the table, leaving the Canucks to pivot to Johnson.
It is believed that the Canucks hoped to retain Johnson even if Gold was hired, potentially keeping him in charge of the AHL squad. Now, with Johnson at the helm, the organization must address two critical questions.
Who Will Run the Abbotsford Canucks?
One of the most intriguing questions is who will manage the team's AHL affiliate, the Abbotsford Canucks. The Sedin twins are expected to join the front office, potentially as bosses of the Abbotsford squad. Johnson has run the minor-league team for years, but as the head of hockey operations, he will no longer handle day-to-day AHL matters.
There is no clear internal candidate to take over. The Canucks may need to promote an existing assistant general manager or bring in a new hire specifically for this role.
Will the Scouting Department Be Restructured?
The Canucks' search over the past few weeks focused on replacing Patrik Allvin. However, the team also interviewed several veteran scouts, suggesting a possible reorganization of the scouting department.
Judd Brackett emerges as a potential candidate to return. Brackett, the former amateur scouting director, has built a strong reputation in Minnesota. He played a role in drafting three current Canucks: Zeev Buium, Liam Ohgren, and Marco Rossi. Ten players from his first three drafts with the Wild have played in the NHL, a stark contrast to the Canucks' drafts after he left. Bringing him back as an assistant general manager could bolster the team's scouting.
Meanwhile, Patrik Allvin remains under contract and has yet to decide whether to accept an offer as director of player personnel, essentially a super scout role.
Cam Lawrence: A Hometown Candidate
Another name to watch is Cam Lawrence, a Vancouver native with consulting experience for the Florida Panthers and Columbus Blue Jackets. Lawrence specializes in scouting and big data analytics. He recently returned home to work for MEC. His business acumen and hockey knowledge could be a valuable addition to the Canucks' analytics group and front office.
As the Canucks finalize Johnson's appointment, these decisions will shape the team's future direction.
