Few people have a more informed view of Vancouver Canucks hockey operations than Mike Gillis, and he has been down this path before.

There are different names and circumstances, but the same essential challenge faces the Canucks as when he took over in 2008: build a team with standards, direction, and enough internal alignment to withstand the outside noise.

Speaking on Sekeres and Price on Thursday afternoon, the former Canucks President and General Manager praised the club’s decision to elevate Ryan Johnson to GM while moving Henrik and Daniel Sedin into Co-President roles. For Gillis, Johnson’s rise is rooted in many of the same traits that made him valuable during his playing career in Vancouver.

“Ryan fit a piece of the puzzle for us in terms of leadership and integrity,” Gillis said. “He just is a great person and was a key initial sort of addition to our team.”

Johnson was a defensive specialist, penalty killer and shot blocker recruited by the Gillis regime to insulate the Sedin twins as they entered their primes. The former executive said those qualities made him a natural fit once the Canucks began looking for people to work with young players after his playing career ended.

“He brought so many intangibles and attitude about how to conduct yourself and how to be a pro,” Gillis said about hiring Johnson to his first post-playing career job in hockey.

Thirteen years later, Johnson has the post Gillis once held. His first major stretch as GM comes as the Canucks are entering a rebuild, hold the third overall pick, and are in search of a new coaching staff. Vancouver finished last in the NHL at 25-49-8 and has tasked Johnson and the Sedins with a rapid organizational overhaul. Gillis believes the former Canucks forward fits this moment.

“This organization right now needs a person like Ryan Johnson as a GM,” said Gillis. “He checks off, I think, the three critical boxes that you need: character, integrity, he’s extremely hard working, and he’s smart.”

After what he called “the worst season in its history,” the former Canucks exec added that Johnson brings not only a clear vision, but the ability to establish a higher standard within the organization.

The Sedins’ new roles are not ones that Gillis would have predicted in their playing days. He admitted that he did not expect Henrik and Daniel to move into hockey management when they were still playing, but he believes their leadership profile makes sense for today’s Canucks.

“They proved to us early on that they had the ability [to lead], they had the leadership capabilities,” Gillis said. “They wanted it extremely badly, and just needed the opportunity to get there.”

Along with autonomy in hockey-related decisions and enough time to see this through, Gillis emphasized the need for a blend of hockey people and analytics support to a front office that looks “really lean.” He said the team must have the right people in place to bring in the best players possible.

Manny Malhotra was also recruited to the Canucks by Gillis. He called Malhotra a “critical signing” during his tenure, and said that he would bring many of the same leadership qualities as Johnson and the Sedins. “If Manny becomes the coach of this team, I have no doubt that they’re going to be a really strong group.”

Continuing with the Canucks in their current state, Gillis suggested that the club’s plans with the third overall pick and the possibility of selecting Caleb Malhotra would have to be considered when choosing their next coach as well. “It would matter,” he said. “You’d have to make sure that you have a very strong plan around that.”

The Greater Sudbury, Ontario native also clarified his reported involvement with the Toronto Maple Leafs, saying, “most of the reporting was inaccurate.” Gillis said he was interested in a specific, strategy-focused role centred around organizational structure, evidence-based decisions and league-wide opportunity mapping. When it became clear that Keith Pelley and the Leafs were not filling that type of role, he determined it was not the right fit.

Gillis said he would be willing to help Johnson and the Sedins informally if asked, but made it clear he believes the Canucks already have the right leadership group in place. “The choice with Daniel and Henrik and Ryan is the perfect choice for this team right now. They know where this team needs to go.”

You can watch the full Gillis interview below!