I'm a fairly strong critic of Gillis, but the areas he was strong was being forward thinking in analytics, player management and cap management.

Canucks were one of the earliest teams to get into analytics. Often being one of only a couple NHL teams at conferences. That thinking runs counter to the current regime, which has made it clear they do not consider either important. Benning famously said at the time of the Gudbranson trade with Florida that, while using analytics that he won a cup without advanced stats and Gudbranson "looks" like a hockey player. Furthermore, Gillis used dieticians and sleep scientists to a level nobody else was. Benning has never indicated that is an emphasis for him

In regards to cap management Gilman was primarily responsible, but he was a Gillis hire and Gillis gave him the stronger role. When the Canucks had the opportunity under Benning they did not take advantage of cap space.

So what I'm saying is bringing Gillis back would not work with Benning there. They think too differently.