The Vancouver Canucks are continuing to interview candidates in their search for a general manager.
Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman provided the latest update on 32 Thoughts: The Podcast on Friday.
Friedman said Patrick Burke, vice-president of the NHL’s Department of Player Safety, former Carolina Hurricanes scout Ray Whitney and New York Rangers associate GM Ryan Martin have been told they're out.
That leaves names including Canucks assistant GM Ryan Johnson, Toronto Maple Leafs assistant GM Shane Doan, Calgary Flames assistant GM Brad Pascall, Tampa Bay Lightning assistant GM Jeff Tambellini, Boston Bruins assistant GMs Evan Gold and Jamie Langenbrunner, former Buffalo Sabres GM Kevyn Adams and Florida Panthers assistant GM Brett Peterson in the mix.
"I think the Canucks have an interesting dynamic here," Friedman said.
"... I've said it and I'm definitely not the only one that (has said) Jim Rutherford, I think his choice was Ryan Johnson. If you don't hire Ryan Johnson and let's just say you hire someone like Evan Gold or Brett Peterson who are in a similar position to Ryan Johnson but comes in from another organization, I think you might have a question there about what it means for the future of Johnson in your organization."
Friedman said candidates have been asked about how long they feel the Canucks' rebuild will need to be, how they rank the top three players in this year's draft and whether they would want to keep head coach Adam Foote.
Friedman said he believes the Canucks want to do in-person interviews before they make a hire.
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