During the four-year tenure of general manager Patrik Allvin, the Vancouver Canucks consistently failed to live up to expectations.
The team had one standout season in 2023, finishing with a 50-23-9 record and winning the Pacific Division.
But Vancouver didn’t won more than 38 games in any of his other three seasons, and after finishing with the worst record in the NHL this year, Allvin is now unemployed.
Canucks Looking for a New GM
GettyVancouver Canucks goalie Kevin Lankinen
Vancouver has missed the playoffs five times in the last six years, and nine times in the last 11 years. This year, the Canucks didn’t just fail to qualify for the postseason, they ended the year as the worst team in the NHL.
By virtue of their 25-49-8 finish (58 points), the Canucks have the best odds of winning the 2026 NHL draft lottery.
Allvin won’t be around to make Vancouver’s first-round pick, though, after the team parted ways with the 51-year-old executive on Friday.
“I would like to thank Patrik for all his hard work over the past four seasons,” Canucks president of hockey operations Jim Rutherford said in a statement. “Under his guidance we have accumulated a lot of good young talent, and he has helped us lay the foundation of our rebuild.
“This season was disappointing for everyone in the organization, and we understand how frustrating it was for those who care about the team. Moving forward our goal will be to continue to bring in younger players who can grow together with our current group and form our next competitive core.”
Allvin’s tenure in Vancouver was a forgettable one. Aside from becoming the first Swedish GM in the NHL, Allvin didn’t accomplish much else.
The Canucks went 151-139-39 (.458 win percentage, .577 points percentage) under his leadership, and the team traded away fan-favorite superstars J.T. Miller and Quinn Hughes.
Canucks’ Potential GM Candidates
- Ryan Johnson: If the Canucks want an easy transition, then promoting in-house option Johnson may be the way to go. He’s already familiar with the roster, the coaching staff, the prospect pool, and the rest of the front office. In ushering in a new era, it might be appealing to Vancouver to have a GM who can hit the ground running. Johnson makes the most sense.
- Ryan Martin: Martin is another popular name among GM openings this offseason, and his star is certainly on the rise. Promoted to associate GM of the New York Rangers and GM of Hartford Wolf Pack back in September, Martin could be a nice high-risk, high-reward hire.
- Brett Peterson: Peterson is also a hot commodity among teams looking for a new GM as well. Part of a front office that built back-to-back Stanley Cup champions with the Florida Panthers, Peterson has served as GM of the U.S. Men’s National Team, and he’s someone who has a history of winning over players in the locker room.
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