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In the end, the Vancouver Canucks went the safe route with their head coach decision. Instead of looking outside the organization at someone like Jay Woodcroft or Peter Laviolette or one of the many other options available, and instead of promoting AHL Canucks head coach Manny Maholtra (who is currently in the midst of a playoff run in Abbotsford and who had emerged as the favourite for the job in the eyes of some), the Canucks went with one of former coach Rick Tocchet’s hand-picked assistant coaches, Adam Foote.
It’s hard to really argue with the decision. The Canucks are obviously hoping to keep some continuity and a sense of culture after a season that crumbled into despair. Tocchet brought in a professional culture and an identity of team defence, even if he wasn’t always regarded as the most innovative offensive mind.
It looks to be more of the same with Foote, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. With standout prospect Tom Willander now signed to an entry level deal and Elias Pettersson (the defenceman) hoping to build on some late-season success, Foote’s work with the young defencemen on the team will be pivotal. The squad also has veterans in Filip Hronek, Marcus Pettersson, and, of course, Quinn Hughes, who reportedly has a great relationship with Foote.
With the move to promote Foote, who is Vancouver’s 22nd head coach and the team’s third since Travis Green was fired in 2021, the Canucks are leaning into that defensive aspect. They’re also undoubtedly trying to keep Hughes in the fold. As a player, Foote was as hard-nosed as they come. The defensive defenceman had tons of success with the Colorado Avalanche, winning two Stanley Cups and later serving as captain of the team. He was also captain of the Columbus Blue Jackets and won a Gold medal with the 2002 Canadian Olympic team. There is no doubt that winning pedigree was attractive to the Canucks’ brass. Foote also served as a development coach for the Avalanche for several years.
Adam Foote chases down Henrik Sedin. By Matt Boulton from Vancouver, Canada – Canucks vs Avs, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=11489235
His only head coaching experience came with the Kelowna Rockets from 2018 to 2020. He posted a 29-28-6 record as coach of the Rockets before he was fired. Foote’s last name has been in the news recently as one of his sons, Cal Foote, is one of the Team Canada World Juniors players on trial for alleged sexual assualt in London, Ont.
For the Canucks, who are looking a little thin in terms of skilled forwards, the questions will be around how they can thrive offensively. President of hockey operations Jim Rutherford and GM Patrik Allvin will no doubt be looking to add some top-six skill in the offseason. But can Foote get the best out of Elias Pettersson (the forward)? It’s also worth asking who the Canucks will hire as his assistants. A good powerplay mind who is a skilled offensive teacher are likely at the top of the list in terms of qualities the Canucks will be looking for.
If Thatcher Demko can put together a healthy season and if Kevin Lankinen can show that last season wasn’t in a flash in the pan, the Canucks should be relatively set on the defensive side of the puck. The defensive grouping, with Hughes, Hronek, both Petterssons, Tyler Myers, Victor Mancini, and eventually Tom Willander, is solid and fairly deep. It’s the forwards, especially with the uncertainty around whether Brock Boeser will be back, where the Canucks will need to get to work. But leaning into a strength isn’t a bad idea right now.