Surprising Factor Helped Lead To Ryan Johnson's Pending Hire as Canucks GM

The rumors emerged yesterday that Vancouver Canucks' valued assistant GM Ryan Johnson will be named the new general manager (or whatever title they land on). The announcement should be coming anytime now.

We're getting more details now on the impending hiring on Wednesday, as we hear that it's a three-year deal for Johnson, and that he'll be working under the Sedin twins in the front office.

But another surprising detail came from Insider Rick Dhaliwal, who tells us that Johnson's contract is one of the lowest-paying ones in the NHL for a GM, as "Economics played a role here whether the Canucks want to admit it or not."

Johnson only has a 3 year deal and it doesn't pay much according to Dhaliwal.

"Economics played a role here whether the Canucks want to admit it or not." https://t.co/wx2AClKxQg
— Taj (@taj1944) May 13, 2026

"Ryan Johnson always had the inside track from Day 1... I do not believe Evan Gold was made an offer.

"I did hear that the Vancouver job is not paying much at all. Economics played a role here, whether the Canucks want to admit it or not...

"You have to realize, the Canucks are paying Jim Rutherford and Patrik Allvin next year to do nothing. Plus, they're still paying OEL... Economics play a role."

The Canucks still owe current Maple Leafs defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson about $11 million combined over the next four seasons as a result of Vancouver's lengthy, expensive buyout of his previous contract in 2023.

Daniel & Henrik Sedin to be above Ryan Johnson in Canucks' new front office

Meanwhile, insider Elliotte Friedman gave us an update on Wednesday about the Sedins' fit in the overall new Vancouver front office.

"I think Ryan Johnson is going to report to the Sedins. I think they're going to be above him on the food chain... I knew they were taking a bigger role, I just didn't realize how big it looks like it's likely to be...

"They offered the Sedins a big role like this a few years ago, but they said they wanted a smaller role. Now, they're ready," said Friedman.

Daniel & Henrik Sedin are the two most legendary Canucks of all-time and hold most of the franchise's games played and scoring records.