Manny Malhotra is a clear candidate to watch for the Canucks' coaching job.

The 46-year-old is already with the Canucks organization as the coach of their AHL affiliate, the Abbotsford Canucks. He led Abbotsford to the Calder Cup championship in 2024-25, his first season in that role. 

With this and Malhotra also previously serving as an assistant coach for Vancouver, he is undoubtedly standing out as an early front-runner for the Canucks' head coaching job.

"It's hard to be ignorant of an internal candidate that we obviously have, so I'm not going to deflect that," Johnson said. "Manny has shown his ability to develop young players, to build a connection and obviously win a championship with a very young group. So, won't be ignorant to the fact that I am going to speak with him, sit down with him and talk about the future."

The Mississauga, Ont., native simply looks ready to be an NHL coach at this point in his career. The two-way, penalty-killing forward led by example as a player and can impart those qualities on the players.

Drop a comment and share your perspective.