Switching Gears: Canucks To Name Agent Mike Gillis New GM
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| Canucks To Name NHL Agent Gillis New GM |
The Canucks today will name NHL player agent Mike Gillis the team's new GM, replacing Dave Nonis, who was fired on April 14, according to Jason Botchford of the Vancouver PROVINCE. Gillis was a "leading candidate" for the Canucks' GM position in '98 before the team hired current Ducks Exec VP & GM Brian Burke, and it was "rumoured then that Gillis was offered the job but turned it down." Gillis also reportedly "once turned down an offer" to become Maple Leafs GM. Gillis' client list over the years has included such high-profile players as Canucks LW Markus Naslund, Thrashers C Bobby Holik, Ducks D Mathieu Schneider and former NHLers Pavel Bure and Mike Richter. Botchford writes Gillis' close ties to Naslund "should make for some fascinating negotiations before Naslund becomes an unrestricted free agent" this summer (Vancouver PROVINCE, 4/23). In Toronto, Mathew Sekeres reports it is "unclear what would become of Gillis's NHL clients." The NHLPA as of yesterday had "not received news that Gillis planned to decertify himself [as an agent], though that process could be left until after he is introduced" as GM (Toronto GLOBE & MAIL, 4/23). Gillis has repped NHL players since '91 but has "never worked in management" (VANCOUVER SUN, 4/23). The Canucks selected Gillis over fellow agent Brian Lawton and former Stars GM Doug Armstrong (Vancouver PROVINCE, 4/23).
ROLLING THE DICE: In Vancouver, Ian MacIntyre writes Gillis is "certainly not a mainstream pick and represents a bold -- and uncertain -- new direction for an organization." MacIntyre: "Presumably, there are profound personnel changes ahead for the Canucks, beginning with the coaching staff and the senior people in hockey operations" (VANCOUVER SUN, 4/23). Also in Vancouver, Tony Gallagher writes Canucks Owner Francesco Aquilini is "thinking outside the box" by picking Gillis, and the team is "taking a calculated risk on a man who has never done the job" (Vancouver PROVINCE, 4/23).
BURKE: In L.A., Eric Stephens reports Burke is expected to be "aggressively courted" by the Maple Leafs for their open GM position. Burke, at a season-ending news conference yesterday, would "not say whether the interest is mutual." Asked if he "intends to be with the Ducks" at the opening of training camp, Burke said, "I don't know." Stephens notes Burke has one season remaining on his four-year contract (L.A. TIMES, 4/23).
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