Darren Dreger, speaking on Sekeres and Price, discussed the challenging situation of Vancouver Canucks head coach Adam Foote, suggesting he was dealt a difficult hand. Dreger noted that Foote’s initial pitch for the head coaching position likely involved his ability to work with Quinn Hughes. However, the team’s struggles, compounded by injuries and the trade of JT Miller, have left Foote coaching what is perceived as the league’s weakest team.
This context, coupled with the success of Manny Malhotra within the organization, raises questions about potential coaching changes. Dreger speculated that if the rebuild is ongoing, the Canucks might consider a change this offseason, acknowledging that such a move, while not officially confirmed, is a possibility.
Furthermore, Dreger addressed the readiness of Canucks AHL coach Manny Malhotra for an NHL coaching role. He indicated that interest from other NHL clubs in Malhotra exists, reflecting a broader scouting perspective on coaches. Dreger explained that teams maintain lists of potential coaching candidates, similar to how they track players. Last year, Malhotra was reportedly on the radar of many teams, and the current belief, supported by insights from other NHL organizations, is that he is indeed NHL-ready. This suggests that if the Canucks do not make a move, another team might pursue Malhotra.
