It was a disastrous season for the Vancouver Canucks in 2025-26, who didn’t come close to creating the Stanley Cup Playoffs and decided to make several notable changes in leadership once the campaign was over.
In the primary place, general manager Patrik Allvin was dismissed, and former forward Ryan Johnson was hired. Johnson’s first major decision on the job was to terminate Canucks head coach Adam Foote, who was promoted to the position before the season began following the departure of Rick Tocchet.
Now, the Canucks have their substitute for Foote, and it’s a well-known name to fans in Vancouver. Former Canucks forward Manny Malhotra, who was a part of the 2010-11 club that went to Game 7 of the 2011 Stanley Cup Final, has officially been hired because the twenty third head coach in team history.
The Vancouver Canucks are naming Manny Malhotra because the twenty third head coach in franchise history. pic.twitter.com/Wk3RnlrtQ0
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) June 2, 2026
In a press release, Johnson said that being teammates with Malhotra helped him see his leadership skills up close and private.
“Manny and I actually have been within the battle together before, so I do know firsthand what an excellent teacher, leader, and quality person he’s,” said Johnson via NHL.com. “Connection, consistency and setting up the right foundation might be key for our group moving forward.”
Malhotra has been the top coach of the AHL affiliate Abbotsford Canucks for the last two seasons, and likewise previously spent a handful of seasons as an assistant coach with the Canucks after having been a development coach with the club. Malhotra was behind the bench for Abbotsford during their first-ever successful run to the Calder Cup championship.
Moreover, he spent 4 seasons as an assistant coach with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
During his NHL playing profession, Malhotra played 159 total games with the Canucks, scoring 18 goals with 30 assists. Overall, he skated in 991 profession NHL games, scoring 116 goals with 179 assists for 295 total points.
It was a disastrous season for the Vancouver Canucks in 2025-26, who didn’t come close to creating the Stanley Cup Playoffs and decided to make several notable changes in leadership once the campaign was over. In the primary place, general manager Patrik Allvin was dismissed, and former forward Ryan Johnson was hired.