Canucks Drop Bombshell With Unexpected Head Coach Candidates After Tocchet Exit
The Vancouver Canucks have officially joined the growing list of NHL teams hunting for a new bench boss heading into the 2025–26 season — and fans were caught off guard by some of the surprising names already in the mix.
After guiding the team through a season filled with ups and downs, head coach Rick Tocchet has chosen to walk away, declining to extend his contract beyond June 30. While his decision wasn’t entirely shocking, it leaves the Canucks in a crucial position: find the right leader to either push for contention or begin the tough road of a rebuild.
The coaching market is tight, with eight NHL teams now looking for new head coaches — and the Canucks will have to battle it out to land a top-tier candidate. But according to team president Jim Rutherford, Vancouver has a few intriguing options on the table, including some names that fans didn’t see coming.
One of the most notable? Peter Laviolette, the former New York Rangers head coach. At 60, Laviolette brings decades of experience — but also some recent baggage. He was let go after a turbulent final stretch with the Rangers, despite a 2023–24 season that saw him win the Metropolitan Division, the Presidents’ Trophy, and two playoff series.
“It’s a good name,” said Rutherford, acknowledging Laviolette’s pedigree — and hinting he’s firmly on the radar.
But perhaps the most surprising candidate is someone already within the Canucks system: Manny Malhotra, the rookie head coach of the Abbotsford Canucks. The 44-year-old has deep roots with the franchise, having played three seasons in Vancouver and served as a development coach prior to his current role. Now, after leading Abbotsford to an impressive 44-win season, he’s being considered for the NHL’s top job.
“He’ll certainly be on the shortlist,” Rutherford confirmed.
Malhotra’s work with rising stars like Elias Pettersson, Jonathan Lekkerimaki, and Aatu Raty hasn’t gone unnoticed. While handing the reins to a first-time NHL head coach is a gamble, his connection with the franchise’s young core could make him the right fit for a team straddling the line between rebuilding and competing.
Will the Canucks go with experience or take a bold leap on youth and familiarity? One thing’s for sure — the next hire could define Vancouver’s future for years to come.