Vancouver Canucks want to interview Shane Doan amidst ongoing GM search
The Vancouver Canucks list of general manager candidates continues to grow.
This time, an NHL legend is in the mix.
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported on Wednesday that the Canucks have asked the Toronto Maple Leafs for permission to interview Shane Doan.
While the request to interview Doan coincides with the team’s opening at the general manager position, is he truly ready for the role?
Doan retired from the NHL following the 2016-17 season. He reappeared in 2020-21 as Chief Development Hockey Officer for the Arizona Coyotes.
The 49-year-old then took on management roles internationally for Canada, where he eventually acted as general manager for Team Canada at the 2022 Winter Olympics.
In June 2023, Doan was hired by Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving as a special advisor to the GM. Guys like Jason Spezza, Roberto Luongo, and Ryan Johnson have held similar roles as they work on their managerial ascent.
Could the same be in the cards for Doan?
It’s been a while, but Doan has reportedly had a sit-down with Canucks ownership before.
Back in 2012, Postmedia reported that Doan went out for dinner in Vancouver with former GM Mike Gillis and Francesco Aquilini. At the time, Doan was a coveted free agent and had chatted with multiple teams, including Vancouver, before eventually staying in Arizona.
While the role of special advisor to the GM is vague, it often includes a say on roster management decisions, scouting, and player development.
Back in 2024, Leafs players dished on what it was like to have Doan around the rink.
“I appreciate the energy that he brings to our group when he’s around,” Jake McCabe told The Athletic. “Something as simple as a smile in the morning. If you’ve had a couple losses and you see Doaner, it lightens you up. And that makes a difference.”
While Doan is known as a wide-smiled, light-hearted figure, that doesn’t mean he avoids tougher conversations.
“[Doan] is really hard on me, but that’s the kind of thing I need,” Matthew Knies said. “He’s not scared to tell me the truth after games.”
Compared to someone like Canucks assistant general manager Johnson, Doan would have less experience but more cache as a name-brand figure.
That, coupled with his affable nature, makes you wonder what his role would be if he came to Vancouver. Is he interviewing for the GM job, or would he be part of a bigger management team?
Aside from reportedly meeting Canucks ownership nearly 15 years ago, Doan does have ties to British Columbia. He’s a current franchise owner for the Kamloops Blazers, a team he played for as a teenager. Doan also met his wife, Andrea, while playing for Kamloops.