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Chris Higgins talks Sedins, Canucks management, prospect development, and more: Sekeres and Price

Photo credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

By Clarke Corsan

Nov 15, 2026, 16:00 ESTUpdated: Nov 15, 2026, 13:34 EST

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Former Vancouver Canucks forward Chris Higgins joined Sekeres and Price to discuss the organization’s new management group, Manny Malhotra becoming head coach, Elias Pettersson’s improved play, and more.

Higgins started with his thoughts on the Sedins, Ryan Johnson, and Malhotra taking on leadership roles in Vancouver.

“The way they handle themselves and how they behaved throughout their careers. All leaders, all guys who were trying to kick down the door and be the best. I hope that competitiveness returns to the organization. It’s what I fell in love with when I got traded here.

“You had a bad practice, you could move down the lineup. That’s how razor-thin the margin was, and it scares some people, but I think you have to find players that get excited about that kind of atmosphere. You need that push every day, a little bit of fear in your belly to push yourself every day, and I’d like to see that return.”

He also recalled an early conversation with his father about Malhotra, following Higgins’ trade to the Canucks.

“I remember calling my dad maybe a month after being traded here, after starting to get a good handle on everyone, and I remember telling him, if there’s one guy I ever play hockey with who’s going to be an NHL coach, it’s Manny Malhotra. And that was within a month of playing with him.

“He was the de facto leader of the dressing room. Hank and Danny aren’t the most talkative guys, and Manny was the heartbeat of what went on between periods. He’s one of those guys who has a big heart and cares about his teammates.”

The conversation then shifted to the opportunities available to younger players in Vancouver during the rebuild.

“I would’ve had a tough time if I was a veteran, because I wanted to win, so I wouldn’t talk too much about that. But for the young guys, what an opportunity. No one is standing in front of you for ice time. No matter how good I played, I was never going to take Danny Sedin’s spot. They don’t have that here, and any opportunity is available.

“As a young guy, if you play well, they’re going to put you in those positions you want to be in. You want power-play time? Play well. The opportunity is as good as you’re going to get in the NHL. It doesn’t come like this often. I hope these young guys understand the position they’re in and take advantage of the opportunity because they will never get another one as easy as this right now.”

Higgins also weighed in on the Canucks’ approach to prospect development and the importance of spending time in the AHL.

“I am very passionate about playing yourself out of the league before moving up. If Cootes has played himself out of the league, I haven’t watched a lot of Abbotsford, but I doubt he’s played himself out of the league just yet.

“I believe very strongly in the AHL, and there’s only a few guys who should skip that step, and it’s very apparent who those guys are. If you’re pissed off in the AHL, show me why you don’t want to be there, and if you do that, we have all the time for you. But you have to prove yourself in the league below the NHL before getting to the NHL.”

Finally, Higgins discussed Elias Pettersson and what he’s seen from the Canucks’ centre this season.

“I’d been there, young guy who had some success early in his career for a Canadian franchise, and when things go wrong, it’s hard. The mental side is crazy, especially when the team isn’t doing well and it all falls on you because people look to you to steer the ship.

“It looks like he’s playing a lot more free, and that’s it, really. The skills and everything have always been there, it just looks like he’s lighter this year. I like to see him rubbing shoulders early in the season like we saw. You don’t play your best unless you’re rubbing shoulders and getting into the hard areas, I don’t care who you are. Him being more physical, that’s how you get out of this: pure competitiveness and being determined to come out on the positive side of things.”

You can watch the full interview below!