Vancouver Canucks’ Coaching Search Nears End as Team Reportedly Eyes Risky Choice for Next Bench Boss
As the Vancouver Canucks push forward into a defining offseason, their search for a new head coach is nearing its conclusion—and according to multiple reports, the organization may be prepared to take a significant gamble with its next hire. Following the recent departure of Rick Tocchet, who left to pursue another opportunity within the league, the Canucks have been methodically narrowing down their list of potential successors. Now, they are reportedly down to two final candidates—neither of whom brings extensive NHL head coaching experience, raising eyebrows across the hockey world.
General Manager Patrik Allvin and the Canucks’ front office are working to identify the 22nd head coach in franchise history. The team had hoped the process wouldn’t drag on too long, and based on the latest updates, that timeline seems to be holding. Over the past week or so, a handful of names had been floated as possible Tocchet replacements, including a surprising mix of current assistant coaches and AHL bench bosses. Among them was Marco Sturm, a former Canucks player and current head coach of the Ontario Reign, the AHL affiliate of the Los Angeles Kings. However, it appears the club has pivoted toward in-house options as the hiring decision approaches.
According to Patrick Johnston of The Province, the Canucks’ coaching search has zeroed in on two familiar figures within the organization: Manny Malhotra and Adam Foote. Johnston reported that these two candidates are now the last ones standing, with Malhotra reportedly emerging as the frontrunner—at least for the moment.
Malhotra is a well-known name in Vancouver hockey circles. A former Canucks forward during his playing days, he transitioned into coaching soon after retirement. He spent three seasons as an assistant coach with the Canucks from 2017 to 2020, gaining a solid reputation as a sharp communicator and tactical thinker. He then moved to Toronto, where he served on the Maple Leafs’ bench for four seasons. Most recently, Malhotra returned to the Canucks’ organization to serve as head coach of their AHL affiliate in Abbotsford, where he continued to build his coaching résumé.
While Malhotra’s background is deeply rooted in the Canucks system, he has never held a full-time head coaching role at the NHL level—a fact that’s prompting some concern among fans and analysts. Promoting a coach from the AHL directly to an NHL head position is always a gamble, particularly in a high-pressure market like Vancouver.
The other finalist, Adam Foote, also brings a blend of NHL experience and internal familiarity. A two-time Stanley Cup champion as a player, Foote joined the Canucks as an assistant coach and has been with the team in that capacity for the past few seasons. Prior to his time in Vancouver, Foote served briefly as the head coach of the WHL’s Kelowna Rockets. However, his tenure there was cut short when he was dismissed midway through his second season.
Foote’s candidacy appears to rest more on his leadership qualities and his relationship with the current Canucks roster than a lengthy coaching track record. While he has NHL pedigree as a player and has developed a presence behind the bench, his lack of head coaching experience at the pro level may be a sticking point.
Despite the relatively thin coaching résumés of both finalists, the Canucks appear poised to choose one of them—suggesting the organization values continuity, internal development, and familiarity with the current team culture. Whether that approach pays off remains to be seen.
What’s clear is that the decision to choose between Malhotra and Foote represents a calculated risk for a franchise that’s trying to maintain momentum. After a season that saw the team take significant steps forward, fans and players alike are hoping for stability and continued progress. A misstep at this juncture could derail that upward trajectory.
The timing of this coaching decision is also critical. Reports suggest that players like Brock Boeser are watching the hiring process closely before making any final decisions about their own futures with the team. That underscores how important this appointment is—not just in terms of tactics and systems, but also for the broader locker room dynamic and organizational morale.
Neither Malhotra nor Foote carries the profile of a marquee coaching name, and for some observers, that’s cause for concern. In recent years, NHL franchises have tended to favor established names or coaches with substantial head coaching experience, particularly when dealing with competitive rosters on the verge of playoff contention. The Canucks are going in a different direction, leaning into their internal pipeline rather than fishing from the deeper, more familiar coaching pool that includes seasoned NHL veterans.
That choice will likely be scrutinized from all angles once the official announcement is made—which insiders believe could happen very soon. Both Dhaliwal and Drancer, two prominent voices in the Vancouver hockey media landscape, have echoed the belief that the search is down to these two men, with Malhotra slightly ahead in the race.
The Canucks are at a crossroads. With a talented young core, including Quinn Hughes and Elias Pettersson, and a fan base that’s grown increasingly hungry for consistent success, the pressure on this coaching hire is immense. The team can’t afford to take a step backward, and whoever gets the nod will be tasked with keeping the group focused, competitive, and progressing in the right direction.
As we await the official word from the front office, the speculation continues to swirl. What’s certain is that Vancouver’s next head coach—whether it’s Malhotra or Foote—will be entering the role with high expectations and little room for error. In choosing between two relatively inexperienced candidates, the Canucks are making a bold bet. Time will tell if it pays off.
