Why Manny Malhotra Keeps Coming Up as a Canucks Head Coach Candidate
“I have to give Manny a lot of credit. The AHL is a whole different challenge, and he adjusted quickly. He maintained consistent messaging and built a strong environment.” — Abbotsford GM and Canucks AGM Ryan Johnson
While Mike Vellucci is currently serving as an assistant coach with Team USA at the 2025 World Championship in Sweden and Denmark — working with Canucks wingers Conor Garland and Drew O’Connor — he’s also on the hunt for his next NHL opportunity.
Vellucci was part of the coaching shakeup in Pittsburgh when head coach Mike Sullivan left for the New York Rangers in early May. His departure ties him to Vancouver through former Penguins GM Jim Rutherford, who now runs hockey operations for the Canucks. Vellucci, 58, has an impressive track record, having won championships in the AHL, OHL, and NAHL, and has a reputation for developing players on the cusp of NHL readiness — especially meaningful for someone who played only two NHL games himself after being a seventh-round pick in 1984.
So how does this all connect back to Manny Malhotra?
The answer lies in how the Canucks’ leadership — particularly ownership — evaluates the team’s future. While a rebuild approach centered around long-term growth might appeal to fans, ownership is still driven by a desire to win now and generate playoff revenue. That pressure makes hiring an experienced, proven coach more appealing. Familiar names such as Peter Laviolette, Gerard Gallant, Todd Nelson, Marco Sturm, and Adam Foote are all in the mix.
Yet, Malhotra presents an intriguing option. After just one season as head coach in Abbotsford, he’s already shown strong potential. The team posted a franchise-best 44-24-2-2 record, including a 13-game win streak, and advanced to the third round of the AHL playoffs despite dealing with numerous injuries and call-ups. His ability to maintain team consistency and motivate players has impressed the organization.
“Manny deserves a lot of praise,” Johnson told Postmedia. “The AHL is unique, and he’s transitioned incredibly well. Amidst roster changes and injuries, he’s stayed steady and kept the players engaged.”
Developing NHL-caliber prospects is part of the job, and Abbotsford’s current roster — including names like Jonathan Lekkerimaki, Elias Pettersson (Jr.), and Aatu Raty — offers reasons for optimism.
Johnson emphasized that reaching the NHL isn’t about racking up goals in the AHL but about making a lasting impact: “You can’t just be OK. You have to stand out.”
Malhotra’s credentials extend beyond his recent coaching stint. He spent four seasons as a Maple Leafs assistant after three with the Canucks and had an 18-year playing career built on reliability and faceoff prowess. Drafted seventh overall by the Rangers in 1998, he became known more for his leadership than his scoring, playing over 1,000 NHL games across seven teams, including 170 with Vancouver.
His career was defined by resilience — especially after a devastating eye injury in 2011. Despite reduced vision, he returned the next season and still ranked among the league’s best in faceoff efficiency.
As a Canucks assistant, Malhotra had an immediate impact — helping the team jump from the bottom to the top 10 in faceoff rankings in just one year.
His candidacy for the Canucks’ head coaching role is rooted in more than just on-ice results: his familiarity with the organization, leadership qualities, and cost-effectiveness all factor in. Whether he gets promoted now or continues to grow in Abbotsford, he remains a key figure in the team’s future.
The Canucks once followed a similar path with Travis Green, who coached four seasons in the AHL before taking over in Vancouver and leading the team to the 2020 playoff bubble. He later found success in New Jersey and brought Ottawa back to the postseason in 2025.
Malhotra could follow a similar trajectory — but with the Canucks at a crossroads, decisions may come quickly.
