The Vancouver Canucks have named Manny Malhotra as their new head coach, the team announced Monday night.
Malhotra replaces Adam Foote, who held the position for one season after beating out Malhotra for the job last offseason.
The coaching change comes after the Canucks finished last overall in the NHL with 58 points, trailing the Chicago Blackhawks by 14 points.
Vancouver also fell to the third overall pick in the NHL Draft Lottery despite having the best statistical odds to secure the top selection.
Malhotra previously coached the Canucks' American Hockey League affiliate in Abbotsford, leading the team to the Calder Cup championship in 2025.
His coaching background includes two years managing Vancouver's top minor league affiliate and a prior stint as an assistant coach for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Before transitioning to coaching, Malhotra played 16 seasons as a center in the NHL after being selected seventh overall by the New York Rangers in 1998.
He appeared in 991 regular-season games, playing for the Rangers, Dallas Stars, Columbus Blue Jackets, San Jose Sharks, Canucks, Carolina Hurricanes, and Montreal Canadiens.
With this appointment, Malhotra becomes the third active NHL head coach who formerly played for the Rangers, joining Martin St. Louis of the Montreal Canadiens and Lindy Ruff of the Buffalo Sabres.
