Are Vancouver Canucks considering Markus Naslund for a job?
The Vancouver Canucks are reportedly interviewing a big list of candidates for their open general manager job and perhaps other jobs in their front office.
Is Markus Naslund one of them?
One of the greatest players in Canucks history, Naslund’s name was floated by CHEK’s Rick Dhaliwal on Monday’s edition of Donnie and Dhali.
Jim Rutherford, Francesco Aquilini, and Michael Doyle have reportedly each compiled their own lists of candidates. Dhaliwal said he wouldn’t be surprised if former Canucks players like Markus Naslund and Roberto Luongo were on Aquilini’s list.
“I was just told that it wouldn’t surprise somebody if Naslund’s on Aquilini’s list,” Dhaliwal said.
"The owner likes players who are connected to the team from the past.."@DonTaylor5 and @DhaliwalSports on the latest with the #Canucks GM search as a new week begins.https://t.co/GAYm4jT6bu pic.twitter.com/dBiu01okq4
— Donnie & Dhali (@DonnieandDhali) April 27, 2026
While Luongo’s name has been floated before, Naslund’s name is new.
The 52-year-old native of Ćrnskƶldsvik, Sweden, has been out of the game for the last decade. He did work in MoDo’s front office for five years, including four years as general manager, from 2009 to 2014.
It’s unclear if Naslund would be a candidate for general manager or another job within the Canucks front office, Dhaliwal clarified. Could he be considered for the position of president of hockey operations once Rutherford exits the organization? It wouldn’t be the first time Aquilini picked a franchise legend for that job.
Naslund is one of six players who have their number hanging from the rafters at Rogers Arena. He ranks third all-time in Canucks scoring with 756 points in 884 games, trailing only Henrik and Daniel Sedin. He ranks second all-time in goals (346), sandwiched between Daniel Sedin (393) and Trevor Linden (318).
Naslund had his jersey retired by the Canucks in 2010 (Anne-Marie Sorvin/USA TODAY Sports)
You can add Naslund’s name to a long list of candidates that have been reported since the Canucks let go of Patrik Allvin. Shane Doan, Ray Whitney, Kevyn Adams, Bill Scott, Ryan Bowness, and Ryan JohnsonĀ have all been linked to a job in the Canucks front office.
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman said on the 32 Thoughts podcast that the Canucks appear to value candidates with “B.C. connections.”
“I’ve heard five other names [that] I’m working to confirm. Some of them have B.C. connections,” said Friedman. “I think that’s one thing the Canucks have kind of looked at there… Not even necessarily someone that was a Canuck, but somebody who has B.C. connections that might have some pride in the region.”
Thomas Drance reported in The Athletic that 15-20 league executives have spoken with Canucks management via video calls recently, and that a shortlist is expected to be finalized for in-person interviews soon.
Whoever gets hired will have a busy start to their tenure. The draft lottery takes place May 5, followed by the NHL Draft (June 26-27) and free agency (July 1).