Benning: Canucks not looking to fill Linden's role at this time

The Vancouver Canucks don't plan to make an outside hire in the foreseeable future following the departure of president of hockey operations Trevor Linden.

Related: Canucks, president of hockey operations Trevor Linden part ways

The Canucks and Linden parted ways Wednesday after four years. Following the news, team owner Francesco Aquilini stated that general manager Jim Benning would take on Linden's responsibilities, and Benning said during a press conference Thursday that he expects to keep the new job for the time being.

"(Aquilini) said he's not looking to hire someone as the president of hockey operations," Benning said, according to The Canadian Press.

Meanwhile, Linden's exit doesn't appear to have caused any change in philosophy within the organization. The Canucks plan to continue with their rebuild, which Aquilini remains supportive of, Benning added.

"He's on board," Benning said. "He doesn't interfere with what we do. He listens to us, he asks questions and then he lets us do what we need to do."

Vancouver hasn't made the playoffs since the 2014-15 season, when the club was ousted in the first round by the Calgary Flames, and have missed the postseason in four of the last five seasons.

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