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Trevor Linden Rumoured To Be Next Canucks President

Will Trevor Linden Be Next Canucks President?
The Huffington Post B.C.
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The Vancouver Canucks have fired president and general manager Mike Gillis, one day after the team was officially eliminated from NHL playoff action.

"The Vancouver Canucks had success under Mike's leadership, and we nearly reached our ultimate goal; but I believe we have reached a point where a change in leadership and new voice is needed," said owner Francesco Aquilini in a statement Tuesday.

Aquilini also acknowledged the "difficult and frustrating season" that ended Monday night with a lacklustre 3-0 loss to the Anaheim Ducks, which means the Canucks miss the playoffs for the first time in six years.

One of the biggest names being bounced around to replace Gillis is former captain Trevor Linden.

TSN analysts Darren Dreger and Bob McKenzie were both tweeting scenarios that had Linden joining the Canucks' front office.

However, Linden denied that he's been approached by Canucks management. Global BC Morning News host Steve Darling asked Linden on Tuesday, "Have you ever talked to the Vancouver Canucks about that job?"

According to a transcript posted by The Province, Linden answered: "I haven’t and I think it’s interesting. When teams struggle, there’s lots of speculation. I’ve been rumoured to do lots of things... I’ve been rumoured to go into politics."

Linden told Darling that he's never thought of being president of a hockey club, but has considered coaching.

"The tactical aspect of the game is something I’ve always loved. Some of the coaches I’ve played for, why they chose the strategies they did – there’s lots of different jobs out there. I don’t know."

When asked if the Aquilini family, who owns the Canucks, offered Linden a job, he said, "I’ve always said that if the right opportunity, the right time came up."

Linden is beloved by Vancouver fans, having played 16 of his 20 NHL seasons with the club, and earning the nickname "Captain Canuck."

Another former Canucks captain, Markus Naslund, told the Vancouver Sun that he has not had any contact with the Aquilinis. Naslund recently left his job as a general manager of a Swedish Hockey League team.

Aquilini has scheduled a news conference for Wednesday morning.

Trevor Linden Through The Years
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1988: Mike Modano, the number one draft choice of the Minnesota North Stars (centre), is joined by number two draft choice Trevor Linden (right) of the Vancouver Canucks and number three draft choice Curtis Leschyshyn (left) of the Quebec Nordiques. They are posing for photographers in Montreal on June 11. (credit:Paul Chiasson/Canadian Press)
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1990: Rightwinger Trevor Linden of the Vancouver Canucks (left) chases Bernie Nicholls, #9 of the Los Angeles Kings, during their game at the Pacific Coliseum (credit:Allsport )
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1992-1993: Trevor Linden of the Vancouver Canucks during a team practice at the Pacific Coliseum. (credit:Allsport)
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1994: Adam Graves, #9 of the New York Rangers, skates as Trevor Linden, #16 of the Vancouver Canucks, follows him during the June Stanley Cup Finals at the Pacific Coliseum in Vancouver. (credit:Mike Powell /Allsport)
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1994: Vancouver Canucks captain Trevor Linden, sporting a black eye, ponders a question during a news conference on June 13 in New York. (credit:Paul Chiasson/Canadian Press)
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1996: Peter Popovic of Sweden (centre) moves the puck as Trevor Linden of Canada chases him during a World Cup game in September at the CoreStates Spectrum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Canada won the game 3-2. (credit:Andy Lyons/Alls)
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1996: Right-winger Trevor Linden of the Vancouver Canucks looks on during a game against the Anaheim Mighty Ducks in Anaheim, Calif. in October. (credit:Glenn Cratty /Allsport)
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1996-1997: Canucks captain Trevor Linden, #16, carries the puck in a game at the Molson Centre. (credit:Denis Brodeur/NHLI via Getty Images)
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1997: Trevor Linden takes home the King Clancy Memorial Trophy for leadership and humanitarian contributions. (credit:Bruce Bennett Studios/Getty Images)
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1998: Trevor Linden of Canada hooks Mikael Renberg of Sweden during the Winter Olympic Games in Nagano, Japan. (credit:Brian Bahr /Allsport)
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1990s: Trevor Linden, #32 of the New York Islanders, is all smiles after scoring a goal against the Boston Bruins at the Fleet Center. (credit:Steve Babineau/NHLI via Getty Images)
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1990s: Trevor Linden salutes the crowd after being named captain of the New York Islanders. (credit:Bruce Bennett Studios/Getty Images)
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1998: New York Islanders centre Trevor Linden, front, is chased by Philadelphia Flyers center Eric Lindros, rear, in this March 3 photo at the Nassau Coliseum. (credit:AP Photo/John Dunn)
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1999: Newly signed Montreal Canadiens Trevor Linden smiles as he holds up his jersey prior to a team golf tounament in Pine Hill, Que., on June 15. Linden, a long time Vancouver Canucks, was traded from the New York Islanders for a first round draft choice. (credit:Paul Chiasson/Canadian Press)
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2005: NHLPA president Trevor Linden, right, and vice-president Vincent Damphousse talk following a meeting with NHL owners including Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux on Feb. 19 in New York. The meeting failed to result in an agreement. (credit:Paul Chiasson/Canadian Press)
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2003: Owen Nolan, #11 of the Toronto Maple Leafs, and Trevor Linden, #16 of the Vancouver Canucks, go after the puck during the NHL game at General Motors Place on March 15 in Vancouver. (credit:Dave Sandford/Getty Images)
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2005: Ryan Kesler and Trevor Linden of the Vancouver Canucks eat during a team travel day on a Nov. 15 flight to San Jose, Calif. (credit:Jeff Vinnick/Getty Images)
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2005: Dan Cloutier and Trevor Linden of the Vancouver Canucks walk to the beach during an off day on Nov. 18 in Santa Monica, Calif. (credit:Jeff Vinnick/Getty Images)
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2007: Vancouver Canucks player Trevor Linden (16) deflects the puck between the legs of Dallas Stars goalie Marty Turco to give the Canucks a 2-1 lead during the third period of NHL playoff action in Vancouver on April 23. (credit:Chuck Stoody/Canadian Press)
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2008: Trevor Linden, #16 of the Vancouver Canucks, celebrates a win with goalie Roberto Luongo, #1, after a game against the Atlanta Thrashers at Philips Arena on Feb. 7 in Atlanta, Georgia. (credit:Scott Cunningham/NHLI via Getty Images)
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2008: Vancouver Canucks' Trevor Linden makes his way around the rink on April 5 — his last NHL game. (credit:Richard Lam/Canadian Press)
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2008: Vancouver Canucks' Trevor Linden makes his way around the rink on April 5 — his last NHL game. (credit:Richard Lam/Canadian Press)
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2008: Vancouver Canucks' Trevor Linden is interviewed after announcing his retirement as a photograph of himself with Pat Quinn at the NHL entry draft in 1988 hangs on the wall behind him in Vancouver on June 11. (credit:Darryl Dyck/Canadian Press)
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2008: Trevor Linden of the Vancouver Canucks poses with the 10th annual NHL Foundation Player Award during the NHL Awards presentation at the Omni William Penn Hotel on May 28 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (credit:Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
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2008: Former Vancouver Canucks' captain Trevor Linden waves to the crowd during his jersey retirement ceremony on December 17. (credit:Darryl Dyck/Canadian Press)
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2008: Trevor Linden, formerly of the Vancouver Canucks, wipes his eyes while surrounded by his family during the retirement of his #16 jersey at General Motors Place December 17 in Vancouver. (credit:Nick Didlick/Getty Images)
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2008: Trevor Linden's retirement banner hangs from the rafters at General Motors Place on December 22. (credit:Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images)
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Post-2008: Linden has become a successful Vancouver businessman and spokesperson for Clearly Contacts, which features Trevor Linden Eyewear. (credit:TrevorLinden.com)
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2011: Prime Minister Stephen Harper, centre, retired Vancouver Canuck Trevor Linden and MP Stockwell Day watch the first period of the Vancouver Canucks vs. Minnesota Wild NHL hockey game in Vancouver on March 14. (credit:Geoff Howe/Canadian Press)
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2014: Trevor Linden smiles as he speaks at a press conference in Vancouver on April 9. He was named the team's president of hockey operations. (credit:Jonathan Hayward/Canadian Press)

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