Jim Rutherford will step down as the Vancouver Canucks' president of hockey operations after the draft and move into an advisory role, he said Tuesday, according to Sportsnet's Brendan Batchelor.
The Canucks are searching for a general manager after firing Patrik Allvin in April. Rutherford said the search is down to five names.
It hasn't been determined whether Vancouver will hire both a president of hockey operations and a general manager or just one person, Rutherford added.
Rutherford, 77, has been in his role with the Canucks since December 2021.
Vancouver finished last in the NHL with a 25-49-8 record. The Canucks will pick third overall in June's draft after the Toronto Maple Leafs and San Jose Sharks leapfrogged them in Tuesday's lottery.
