Another New Candidate Interviewed in Canucks' GM Search; 2nd Rd. Meetings Next

The Vancouver Canucks are certainly casting a wide net in their search for a new general manager to replace Patrik Allvin. But we are now getting some details that indicates they are narrowing things down as well.

"Some people are being told they're out, and some are being told, 'Okay, mark your calendars, we're going to bring you in here at some point'," said Irfaan Gaffar of Daily Faceoff.

Rick Dhaliwal of the Donnie & Dhali show has told us that experience at the upper echelons of decision-making for an NHL team, even if not as an actual GM, has been a deciding factor to this point for candidates advancing to the second interview phase.

Several names have interviewed already for Canucks job, & new name added on Thursday

Among the names that have been listed as preferred candidates who have interviewed thus far include Florida Panthers assistant general manager Brett Peterson, Boston Bruins AGM Evan Gold, Toronto Maple Leafs Advisor to the GM, Shane Doan (who has really impressed the Canucks hiring committee, reports Dhaliwal), and Patrick Burke from the NHL’s Department of Player Safety.

Other names include Ray Whitney, Ryan Bowness, and of course, the Canucks own AGM, Ryan Johnson, who current president of hockey ops Jim Rutherford is very fond of.

Now, as of Thursday, per insider Pierre LeBrun, we can add Calgary Flames AGM Brad Pascall as another name who has interviewed with the Canucks as well.

"This job is open for grabs," said Gaffar, "and if you were interested in it, you were at least going to get a short look in speaking with those involved in making the decisions here."