New Canucks GM's Week
New Canucks GM Ryan Johnson Navigates Busy Week of Roster Rebuild and Key Decisions
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Ryan Johnson, the new General Manager of the Vancouver Canucks, is navigating one of the toughest first months any NHL GM has faced in recent memory. Named the 13th GM in franchise history on May 14, 2026, Johnson inherited a team that finished 25-49-8 — the worst record in the NHL — and allowed 316 goals, dead last in the league, according to Markerzone.
In the span of just three weeks, Johnson fired one head coach, hired another, and flew to the NHL Scouting Combine in Buffalo to hold a press conference outlining the team's direction. "Consistency and putting in place the proper foundation will be key for our group moving forward," Johnson said, per NHL.com.
A Season From Hell Triggers Full Rebuild
The 2025-26 season was the darkest in the Canucks' 56-year history. The team finished 32nd in the NHL with just 58 points and a -100 goal differential, according to Markerzone. The collapse began in December 2025, when the team traded franchise captain and defenseman Quinn Hughes to the Minnesota Wild — a clear signal that a deep roster teardown had begun.
GM Patrik Allvin was fired on April 17, 2026, following the dismal season, per Daily Faceoff. Johnson, who spent a decade in the Canucks' front office as Assistant GM and AHL GM, was chosen over 15 external candidates. Franchise legends Daniel and Henrik Sedin, now co-presidents of hockey operations, had a "big say" in picking Johnson over outside options, according to Pro Hockey Rumors.
Malhotra Hire Brings Promise — and a Tricky Draft Dilemma
On June 1, Johnson named Manny Malhotra as the 23rd head coach in Canucks history, per NHL.com. Malhotra led the AHL's Abbotsford Canucks to a Calder Cup title in 2025. Johnson has publicly backed coaches who "carve out their teeth" in the AHL before jumping to the NHL — a path taken by coaches like Jon Cooper, who won a Stanley Cup with Tampa Bay.
The hire comes with a major complication. Malhotra's son, Caleb, is a projected top-3 pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. Caleb recorded 84 points in 67 games for the OHL's Brantford Bulldogs this season, according to Heavy Sports. If Vancouver selects Caleb third overall, critics warn the "optics of hiring the father and drafting the son" could create enormous pressure in a Canadian media market, as noted by Locked On Canucks.
Seven No-Move Clauses Handcuff Johnson's Roster Moves
Rebuilding is never simple, but Johnson faces an extra obstacle: seven Canucks players hold No-Movement Clauses (NMCs), meaning he cannot trade them without their consent, per The Hockey News. That list includes star center Elias Pettersson, Rick Boeser, and winger Jake DeBrusk. Johnson recently held a "very open and honest" conversation with Pettersson about the team's rebuild timeline, per NHL.com.
DeBrusk appears to be the most movable piece. Reports suggest the winger is willing to waive his NMC for a trade, according to Marqueur.com. Meanwhile, goalie Thatcher Demko's new contract — worth $8 million per year — kicks in July 1, adding cost and risk given his recent injury concerns, per The Hockey News.
Johnson Earns Respect but Faces Doubts About Toughness
Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman praised Johnson as "thoughtful" and a "really good human," but noted outside doubts about whether he is "ruthless enough" for the intense Vancouver market, per Sportsnet. Rival GMs have reportedly supported Johnson's early steps, calling his approach genuine. Still, TSN noted Johnson must quickly fill his own old role — AHL GM for Abbotsford — and find a new AHL head coach before the offseason ends.
Johnson said the new Abbotsford GM must have input on their own coach to keep the organization aligned, per Oak Bay News. He also needs to add an assistant GM with NHL-level experience to round out his staff. For a 49-year-old first-time NHL GM, the to-do list is long — and the clock is ticking.
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