Speculation: Who Will Be Our Next Coach ?

[racerjoe]

I mean yes, given the Canucks will obviously not been in the running for anyone except those desperate for employment, or without HC experience, I'd say Manny is probably it by default.

Who are the other coaches you want? Like again I don't see anyone period that is a grade A coach. Maybe Sullivan, but thats it.

 

[bossram]

I don't think any of the available coaches are all that appealing.

I would be open to Todd Nelson or Woodcroft. Mitch Love is interesting, and Velucci's name has been out there before. Sounds like there is no mutual interest from them and the Canucks though.

Agree, wouldn't want the older retreads like Lavi or Gallant.

I'm fine with Malhotra. But it's clear their coaching search criteria are limited by 1) Price, and 2) Willingness to come to VAN. I don't think that's a good look or good process for the organization.

I could see a scenario where Manny is head coach, Foote is promoted to associate, and they bring on veteran assistant like Vellucci.

They probably would want to have some veteran assistants around Manny, but given the lack of appeal VAN seems to have, hard to see veteran assistants making a lateral move to come here.

 

[F A N]

I’m not talking about around the league but in this market. Which is who Friedman is addressing.

So you're saying Friedman was talking about Sturm and not Malhotra because this market already knows Malhotra?

 

[F A N]

Carbery in WSH and Arniel in WPG give me some hope with Manny, although the Willie Desjardins era has me scarred regarding AHL coaches.

I wouldn't lump Arniel in the same category. Arniel has experience as an NHL head coach but he hasn't run his own bench for like 11 years prior to getting the Winnipeg job.

 

[Vector]

So you're saying Friedman was talking about Sturm and not Malhotra because this market already knows Malhotra?

That is correct. More for him to say about Sturm since he is from outside the organization and that's one of his stories. Granted, it was first reported by Irfaan Gaffar.

 

[Vector]

Carbery in WSH and Arniel in WPG give me some hope with Manny, although the Willie Desjardins era has me scarred regarding AHL coaches.

Jon Cooper had 2-3/4 seasons as an AHL head coach before taking over the Lightning. Before that he was in the USHL for two seasons. Never had been on an NHL bench, or affiliated with a team, before he was named head coach.

 

[BoHorvat 53]

I wouldn't lump Arniel in the same category. Arniel has experience as an NHL head coach but he hasn't run his own bench for like 11 years prior to getting the Winnipeg job.

Fair enough, but he might be a top-3 coach in the league with how much he's bought into the analytics side of the game which is something you almost never see from someone who played in the '80s. Hoping to see a similar approach from Manny.

 

[Kickassguy]

Some praise and insight on Manny from Sasson in this Canucks Army piece:

Quads: What has Manny Malhotra brought as head coach in Abbotsford?

Sasson: “He’s intense and really cares about us. He also really cares about people in general, which is a cool thing to see from a coach. He’s really big on the respect aspect, and obviously, as a coach, we all respect him and know what a great career he had. We’ve really bought into his style. His video sessions are some of the best I’ve seen, where everyone is on the same page, and I think that’s why you see us very structured and balanced when we play. I can’t say enough good things about him. He’s been an unbelievable coach for myself and this team. A lot of guys that were called up played really well, and that’s a big credit to him.”

Q&A: Max Sasson talks Abbotsford Canucks playoff run, Manny Malhotra, and more

<span style="font-weight: 400;">With the <a href="https://canucksarmy....

canucksarmy.com

 

[Nuckles]

Canucks coaching search is getting down to the final stages. Some of the 7 candidates that were formally interviewed have been informed they are no longer being considered. Malhotra is certainly a front runner. Foote is also still in the mix. Possibly one more.

Quinn Hughes did speak to management shortly after Tocchet stepped away. The club feels they have a mutual understanding on the overall situation & direction going forward
- Farhan Lalji

 

[F A N]

Fair enough, but he might be a top-3 coach in the league with how much he's bought into the analytics side of the game which is something you almost never see from someone who played in the '80s. Hoping to see a similar approach from Manny.

I'm not sure the Arniel comparison supports the point you're trying to make here. Arniel, even by his own admission, was not ready when he coached Columbus. Malhotra's coaching career is closer to where Arniel was when he took over the HC job in Columbus vs now.

Of course Malhotra is not Arniel. Arniel I think was a bit arrogant back then and Malhotra isn't.

 

[VanJack]

Hopefully if they're down to Malhotra and Foote as the finalists in the coaching sweepstakes, they can find a way to keep both. A veteran like Foote could really help Malhotra as a veteran presence behind the bench.

And likewise Malhotra would still be valuable as assistant, based on his work with the prospects in Abbotsford who could be sprinkled through the NHL lineup next season..

Given the number of veteran coachers already spoken for, and the lack of previous connections to Rutherford and Allvin amongst the remaining guys, both Malhotra and Foote represent the logical decision by management.

And if indeed Lalji is correct, and they've already thrashed things out with Quinn Hughes and know the way forward--then this might be the biggest news of the off-season.

The problem is, the only people who apparently understand 'what the way forward' actually is, are Rutherford and Hughes. And I have no doubt that most of the media and the fan-base won't have a clue as we head deeper into the off-season.

 

[Canucks LB]

by the way, none of the rumored guys who are on the short list play true offensive breakout hockey.
They are all defensive system guys

 

[lawrence]

Watching Abbotsford’s game 4, it’s clear Malhotra employs a dynamic puck-possession system, prioritizing seamless transition play and defensive structure—yet still fostering an aggressive, attack-driven approach.

 

[Just A Bit Outside]

Meh.

 

[BoHorvat 53]

I'm not sure the Arniel comparison supports the point you're trying to make here. Arniel, even by his own admission, was not ready when he coached Columbus. Malhotra's coaching career is closer to where Arniel was when he took over the HC job in Columbus vs now.

Of course Malhotra is not Arniel. Arniel I think was a bit arrogant back then and Malhotra isn't.

I'm not referring to Arniel's first HC stint - that's totally blacked out from memory, I'm referring to the general idea of leaning into analytics heavily

 

[Ernie]

by the way, none of the rumored guys who are on the short list play true offensive breakout hockey.
They are all defensive system guys

What exactly is Malhotra's system?

In Abbotsford he aligned with Tocchet's system but with some variations, and it's notable that it was the 4th highest scoring team in the AHL despite not having a ton of offensive talent.

 

[I am toxic]

Hmmmm

I could see Manny as head coach

And now y'all are wondering who the other guy I maybe would have recommended

 

[F A N]

I'm not referring to Arniel's first HC stint - that's totally blacked out from memory, I'm referring to the general idea of leaning into analytics heavily

I see. Do you know Malhotra's approach to analytics? I read an article where Arniel talks about analytics and it seems that he credits his assistant Chynoweth for bringing Carolina's approach. I would assume that given Malhotra served as an assistant at the same time that Malhotra too would have learned from Chynoweth.

We really lack information as to how much a coach relies on analytics. Arniel talks about Avalanche's use of analytics to beat the Jets by using dump and chase. How much of that is game planning and how much of that is analytics (or there's no practical difference?) I mean in the playoffs if you can consistently dump the puck in and get behind the defense and come away with the puck you'll likely end up throwing more hits and wining more puck battles. Any TV commentator can tell you that's a key to success. Take the Canucks last year. Part of our success is Hughes and Hronek's ability to move the puck up ice and when Zadorov joined that gave us two pairings that did consistently did that. So ya if you dump the puck in and fail to get it back you're likely to lose the series unless you have a decided edge on special teams.

 

[TruGr1t]

by the way, none of the rumored guys who are on the short list play true offensive breakout hockey.
They are all defensive system guys

The Canucks are in absolutely no position to play offensive hockey. It's low event, rely on your goaltenders and hope to God Demko is healthy, or bust.

 

[Canucks LB]

The Canucks are in absolutely no position to play offensive hockey. It's low event, rely on your goaltenders and hope to God Demko is healthy, or bust.

I don’t buy it, a lot of it comes down to the off season.

Our defence is big, we have arguably the best D man in the world, bringing in a bunch of new guys that move the puck better significantly helps our transition from the start of next season.

Hronek,mpetey,hughes,dpetey can all move the puck well

As for the forward group, depends on how you unlock ep40 again.

The rest of the forwards obviously it’s a true weakness, but this is not the team we’re going into next season.

We have around 16 million to find two top six forwards, potentially three if you go very young on our bottom six.

This team can be an offensive team, you just need the right system, and the right collection of players.

 

[Vector]

 

[gsharpe]

Mitch love has a pretty insane track record.

 

[Attack Vector]

Would be cool to see a Malhotra and Love working as a team. Mitch Love is a Rick Tocchet clone.

 

[Mr. Canucklehead]

 

[LordBacon]

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