Canucks GM search: Latest buzz on Evan Gold, Scott White, Ryan Johnson

As the Vancouver Canucks set their sights on the third-overall pick at the upcoming 2026 NHL Draft, their search for a new general manager is in the final stretch.

After a three-week long search that's seen a wide array of candidates whittle down to a five-name shortlist, we're getting clarity on three of the candidates believed to near the top of the list for outgoing president of hockey operations Jim Rutherford and Canucks ownership.

Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman broke down what he's heard about frontrunners Evan Gold, Scott White and Ryan Johnson on 32 Thoughts: The Podcast published Friday.

Evan Gold

Gold, who is a Boston Bruins assistant general manager and GM of the AHL affiliate Providence Bruins, has surfaced in numerous front-office searches across the league this off-season — including, as Sportsnet's Kyle Bukauskas noted on the podcast, the Toronto Maple Leafs before their John Chayka hire.

With his Providence Bruins now out of the Calder Cup Playoffs, Gold is available for anything the Canucks might need to finish off this process.

"Evan Gold, who is definitely on their radar and I believe was in there this week to be interviewed, he's done his responsibilities," Friedman reported.

"I believe he was (in Vancouver) this week and also his team is now out. So if it is going to heat up around him, it's really going to start to heat up around him now."

Rick Dhaliwal of Donnie and Dhali told Sportsnet 650's Jason Brough and Mike Halford on Friday that Gold is considered a frontrunner but that "nothing is done yet."

"Gold is a candidate that has really impressed from Day 1," Dhaliwal added. "He's a good, young, sharp hockey mind. ... One agent told me that Gold was a tough negotiator. He's got an analytics background that teams desire, he's good with the salary cap, he's a lawyer."

Gold has been with the Bruins organization for 11 years, first serving as director of legal affairs before his promotion to assistant GM in 2023. AHL Providence finished with 54 wins and atop the Atlantic Division in the regular season.

Scott White

White, who is an assistant general manager for the Dallas Stars and GM of their AHL affiliate, remains on the shortlist for the Canucks job and just two days ago saw his Texas Stars eliminated from the Calder Cup Playoffs.

Friedman noted that he wasn't certain if the Canucks were waiting to speak with White in person or if they were willing to conduct the interview over Zoom.

"They asked for permission to speak to him, that's for sure," Friedman said. "But I don't know exactly what they decided to do in terms of, do they bring him there, or do they just do it by Zoom.

"I'm still waiting for clarity on what they're doing with him."

Ryan Johnson

This is where things get interesting for the Canucks.

Johnson, an assistant general manager with the club and Calder Cup-winning GM of the Abbotsford Canucks, has long been believed to be the logical successor for the Canucks and whose tenure with the franchise predates even Rutherford.

According to Friedman, Johnson is still very much "in the mix," but admits he doesn't "know what to make of this."

"If they're going to hire Evan Gold, who has a really bright reputation, it would seem that Johnson is really being passed over," Friedman said, calling the whole situation "a little bit strange."

"(The Canucks) extended his contract, they said you're here and you're not going anywhere else. And now, they're — if it is Evan Gold — they're basically passing him over for somebody with a similar skillset.

"We'll see, but if that was the case, it wouldn't be good for Johnson."

Johnson was brought into the Canucks front office in October 2013 as a player development consultant then, in 2018, was named director of player development and was promoted by then-GM Patrik Allvin and Rutherford to assistant general manager in 2024. The following season, he oversaw the Abbotsford Canucks on their Calder Cup journey.

Johnson, a former player with the Canucks, has seen his employment survive two different regime changes.

"I hope that they wouldn't pass over (Johnson) simply because he's tied to the regime that they're starting to move out," Friedman added. "If you don't think the guy can do the job, that's one thing. But, I don't like the idea of, 'OK, he was with Rutherford, he was with Allvin. Allvin's out, Rutherford is moving to the advisory role. We just want to make the fresh change.' I don't agree with that.

"I would just wonder why it's gone from, 'Boy, we think super highly of this person' a year ago to this. It is a little unusual."

Whichever direction the Canucks decide to go, the clock is ticking — under two months remain before Vancouver is on the clock for their highest draft pick since the Sedins.