Vancouver Canucks President of Hockey Operations Jim Rutherford on Tuesday afternoon, shortly after the news that Rick Tocchet will not return as the head coach.
Rutherford was asked about a few options, one including first-year head coach of the Abbotsford Canucks, Manny Malhotra.
“Based on the job he did there, the experience he has in the league, he will certainly be on the short list and will be a guy that will be considered,” Rutherford said regarding Malhotra for the Canucks head coaching vacancy.
Malhotra has had a successful inaugural year coaching at the professional level. He led Abbotsford to a 44-24-4 record and the second seed in the Pacific Division. The club fell just two points shy of surpassing the Colorado Eagles for the top seed and a first-round bye in the Calder Cup playoffs, capped off by an impressive 13-game winning streak at the tail end of the season.
The Canucks are currently in the second round of the AHL playoffs after defeating the Tucson Roadrunners 2-1 in the series, following a 5-0 shutout in Game 3. They now look to continue their playoff success against the Coachella Valley Firebirds.
Regardless of the playoff outcome, Malhotra coaches the best season the Abbotsford Canucks have put forth in their four year existence.
It would be a full circle moment for Malhotra if he were to be named the next Canucks head coach, as he played for the franchise from 2010-2013.
Malhotra signed a three-year contract with the Canucks in 2010, and his leadership made a quick impact as he was honoured as an Assistant Captian for all road games during his first season. Known for his defensive game and faceoff ability, Malhotra finished fifth in Frank J. Selke voting in 2010-2011, and contributed to the Canucks to the Stanley Cup finals, playing in a third line shutdown role.
The former first-round pick scored 18 goals and 30 assists for 48 points in three seasons in Vancouver. His third and final year with the Canucks was cut short as he continued to struggle with an eye injury he sustained in the regular season of his first year in Vancouver.
While Malhotra is on Rutherford’s shortlist of candidates for the next head coach in Vancouver, he expects his phone to start ringing regularly with suitors who want the Canucks next head coaching job.
