Former Vancouver Canucks executive lands new gig with another NHL team
It’s been over a decade since Laurence Gilman was with the Vancouver Canucks.
And although his former boss, ex-Canucks general manager Mike Gillis, never got back into an executive role with an NHL team, Gilman continues to pick up work.
On Tuesday, the Columbus Blue Jackets announced that Gilman was joining their team as VP of Hockey Operations, a role he’s incredibly familiar with.
āI have known Laurence for many years, Columbus Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell. āHe is extremely knowledgeable about all facets of team and league operations, and his experience and personality will be a great addition to our hockey operations staff.ā
The 61-year-old held the same title, along with assistant general manager, for the Canucks from 2008 up until being fired by the club on July 2, 2015.
He stuck around for the first year of the Benning era before he was let go. Benning’s first two big trades following Gilman’s departure were arguably two of his worst: the Brandon Sutter trade and the Jared McCann for Erik Gudbranson deal.
Gilman was known for being a “capologist” during his time with the Canucks, playing a role in getting players such as the Sedin twins and Alex Burrows to sign deals below market value.
Since leaving the Canucks, Gilman had a temporary role in the Vancouver radio scene on the old TSN 1040 before joining the Toronto Maple Leafs front office in 2018.
Once again in Toronto, he was part of an organization that made the playoffs every single season. Gilman and the Leafs mutually parted ways following the 2023-24 season.
His hiring comes at a time when Canucks management has come under fire for some of their recent moves and comments.
And even though he’s been gone for over 10 years, the Canucks have failed to come anywhere near the heights they were at during the Gillis/Gilman tenure.
Instead, they continue on with a “hybrid retool” while reportedly offering pricey contracts to players that they probably should trade.
The Canucks won five division titles and five playoff series while Gilman was with the organization. Since his 2015 departure, they have just one division title, two playoff berths, and one postseason series win.