Markus Naslund quiets rumors he will join Vancouver front office

Former Vancouver Canuck Markus Naslund resigned from his position as general manager in the Swedish Elite League with MoDo on Friday. Holding the position since January 2011, Naslund stepped down after missing the playoffs.

Naslund knows the Canucks are going through a rough patch. "I know the feeling when you're working hard and things are not going well. It's overwhelming. I'm pulling for Vancouver."

With current general manager Mike Gillis rumored to be skating on thin ice as the team sits fifth in the Pacific Division, Naslund's name has been brought up as a replacement.

He told CBC's Elliotte Friedman that he has been asked about joining other NHL franchises in the past.

I had a couple of inquiries a year ago or so, but it made no sense for me or us as a family. I'm going to take some time ... and see what I'd like to do. I'm not ruling out anything. I didn't take the job with MoDo with the NHL in mind. That was to help out an organization that was in rough shape.

Naslund is leaving the door open now that he has said goodbye to MoDo. He told Swedish media he is in no rush to join the Canucks organization.

I actually have no comments, I choose not to comment on rumors. I'm going to take some time to land and then see what the next step will be, whether there will be hockey-related, or something else entirely. I have no panic, he says.