Ex-Rangers center Manny Malhotra favored to become next coach of Canucks

Manny Malhotra, who played the first four seasons of his 17-year NHL career with the New York Rangers, looks like the favorite to be named coach of the Vancouver Canucks. Ryan Johnson, named general manager of the Canucks last week, fired coach Adam Foote and three of his assistants on Tuesday after Vancouver finished last in the NHL at 25-49-8 (58 points), 14 points in back of the Chicago Blackhawks and 19 behind the Rangers, who were 30th overall. In addition to their new GM, the Canucks have new co-presidents in Hall of Famers Daniel and Henrik Sedin — and will also have an entirely new coaching staff beyond the likely retention of goaltending coach Marco Torenius and skills coach Jason Krog.

Johnson told reporters that he most definitely plans to interview Malhotra for the head coaching vacancy. Johnson already hired Malhotra once before as coach. In May 2024, when he was GM at Abbotsford, the Canucks’ AHL affiliate, Johnson picked Malhotra for his first head coaching job at any level.

And the former Blueshirts center went on to coach Abbotsford to the Calder Cup championship last spring. The Canucks GM said Tuesday that Malhotra, who reportedly was a finalist before Foote was hired last year after Rick Tocchet left to go to the Philadelphia Flyers, was at the top of his list. “It’s hard to be ignorant of an internal candidate that we obviously have, so I’m not going deflect that,” Johnson said.

“Manny has shown his ability to develop young players, develop a connection, and obviously win a (AHL) championship with a very young group. “I am going to speak with him, sit down, and talk about the future. We’re looking for consistency, patience, and ability to connect with a young group.