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Manny Malhotra and Adam Foote are suddenly part of a bigger Vancouver question than anyone expected this fast.
In the latest DFO Rundown episode, the future of Malhotra in Vancouver was questionned as a few NHL organizations could reportedly be interested in hiring him,
According to Daily Faceoff, if the Canucks believe Malhotra is their next NHL head coach, they may have to move now.
They specifically point. to Los Angeles and Toronto as possible landing spots if head coaching jobs open. It also says Vancouver cannot assume familiarity alone will keep him in the organization:
That part matters. Malhotra knows the setup, knows the players, knows the ownership group, and already has roots in the system. But the video argues that comfort may not be enough for a first-time NHL head coach.
A coach taking his first NHL bench job wants a path to real success, not a situation where the runway feels short and the risk of getting burned is obvious.
That is why the LA mention jumps off the screen. The Kings already moved on from Jim Hiller on March 1 and named D.J. Smith interim head coach, so that spot already carries more real heat than theory.
Why Manny Malhotra is suddenly such a serious name
This is not hype built out of nowhere. Vancouver hired Malhotra as Abbotsford’s head coach on May 27, 2024, then picked up his option for the 2026-27 season after he guided the club to a 44-24-2-2 record and its first Calder Cup title.
That kind of run changes how a coach is viewed across the league. Winning in the AHL matters, but winning while developing players and keeping them tied to the NHL club matters even more.
The video also leans on roster appeal, and that is where the outside noise gets interesting. It points to Toronto’s star power and Los Angeles’ stronger-looking setup as reasons Malhotra could see better short-term upside elsewhere.
To be clear, the clip is about interest and fit, not a confirmed hiring push. Toronto still has Craig Berube behind the bench, and Vancouver still has Foote as its NHL head coach.
But that does not weaken the story. It sharpens it. Manny Malhotra is no longer just a strong name inside Vancouver’s pipeline. He looks like a coach other NHL teams could seriously study if jobs open.
If the Canucks think he is their guy one day, the clock may already be ticking.
Previously on Vancouver Hockey Daily
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If the Canucks want Manny Malhotra, they may need to act now
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