Why Lack Of Head Coaching Experience Should Not Deter The Canucks From Hiring Manny Malhotra

As the Vancouver Canucks continue their search for a new head coach, one name that continues to pop up for the position is Manny Malhotra. The 44-year-old is currently the head coach of the Abbotsford Canucks, and has led the AHL farm team to their best season in franchise history. Even though he has only been a bench boss for one season, his lack of head coaching experience should not be a deterrent for the Canucks. 

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While Malhotra has only been an AHL head coach for one season, he has plenty of experience behind an NHL bench. He was an assistant coach with Vancouver from 2017-20 before spending four seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs in the same position. Even though he wasn't a head coach, he still would have had plenty of time to learn and work with NHL players in two of the most scrutinized markets in the NHL. 

One challenging aspect of being the Canucks head coach is talking to the media on a daily basis. This should not be a problem for Malhotra, as he not only played in Vancouver but also spent time with both the New York Rangers and Montréal Canadiens. Unlike an outside candidate who has never been part of the organization, Malhotra has experienced the pressure of this market and should be able to adapt if named head coach. 

While Malhotra's record in the AHL this season is impressive, his management of the bench during games has stood out. It is clear he has a good sense of his team, as he isn't afraid to change lines or even play styles to kick-start his team. With momentum playing such an important role in the NHL, having a coach who can read and react based on how the game is developing is crucial to having long-term success. 

Abbotsford Canucks Advance To The Division Final Of The 2025 Calder Cup Playoffs After 2-0 Victory Over The Coachella Valley FirebirdsFor the first time in franchise history, the Abbotsford Canucks are off to the Division Final, after a 2-0 Game 4 victory over the Coachella Valley Firebirds. Max Sasson scored the winner on the power play, while Linus Karlsson secured the win with an empty-net goal. As for Artūrs Šilovs, he was unbeatable, stopping all 29 shots he faced. 

Another benefit of promoting Malhotra is his track record with young players. Thanks to Malhotra's coaching, the Canucks were able to call up players from the AHL throughout the season who impressed at the NHL level. Based on the way the call-ups played, it is also clear that Malhotra understands the organization's game plan and how to implement it at the AHL level. 

It is also important to note that Malhotra has experience coaching some of the players currently on Vancouver's roster. As mentioned, he was an assistant coach for three years, which means he has experience working with Quinn Hughes, Elias Pettersson, Thatcher Demko, Tyler Myers and Brock Boeser. While these players have changed over the past five years, it shouldn't take long for Malhotra to reintroduce himself if hired. 

Ultimately, experience should not be a deterrent in hiring Malhotra. If need be, the organization can always surround him with experienced assistant coaches to help him next season. In the end, he looks like the right person for the job and deserves the chance to show what he can do as an NHL head coach. 

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