Jim Benning to reportedly be named Canucks GM this week

Bruins assistant GM Jim Benning is set to become the Vancouver Canucks new general manager. (Getty Images)

Boston Bruins Assistant General Manager Jim Benning will reportedly be named the Vancouver Canucks' new GM by the end of the week, according to a tweet Tuesday from TSN hockey insider Darren Dreger.

Benning would replace Mike Gillis, who was fired six weeks ago. Benning would work alongside his former teammate, Trevor Linden, president of hockey operations, in Vancouver's front office.

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The 51-year-old had previously been an executive with Buffalo, helping oversee the team's amateur scouting. In this role, he helped bring the likes of Ryan Miller, Derek Roy, Daniel Paille, Paul Gaustad and Jason Pominville to the Sabres.

If Boston lets him go before the draft at the end of June, Benning would be able to guide Vancouver as it makes the sixth overall selection in the draft, which is fitting: Benning was the sixth overall pick in the 1981 draft.