 On April 8, 2014, Gillis was relieved of his duties as president and GM of the Vancouver Canucks by owner Francesco Aquilini; Aquilini had been said to be very hands-on in day-to-day management of the club.This came right after the Canucks were eliminated from the 2014 playoffs, and as season ticket renewal levels had dropped off.Gillis was succeeded by former Canucks captain Trevor Linden, who was hired the next day as president of hockey operations.