NHL Rumors: Adam Foote's Tough Canucks Assignment and Manny Malhotra's NHL Readiness

Darren Dreger of Sekeres and Price suggests that Vancouver Canucks head coach Adam Foote may have been given a difficult situation, questioning if he was handed a "dirty deal." Dreger implies that Foote's initial pitch for the job likely involved a focus on developing Quinn Hughes, but subsequent roster changes, including injuries and the JT Miller trade, have left him coaching what is described as the NHL's worst team.

Dreger ponders how much of the team's struggles can be attributed to Foote himself versus the circumstances he's faced. This is further complicated by the success of Manny Malhotra within the Canucks organization. The question arises whether a change behind the bench might be considered this offseason, especially if the team's rebuild is still a primary focus, though no official decisions have been announced.

Regarding Manny Malhotra, Dreger believes he is ready to coach at the NHL level, whether it's with the Vancouver Canucks or another team. When asked by Matt Sekeres if other NHL clubs would be interested in Malhotra, Dreger responded affirmatively. He noted that Malhotra has been on the radar of other organizations for some time, indicating that teams are actively monitoring coaches just as they do players.

Dreger elaborated that Malhotra's name has been circulating, and the perception of him being NHL-ready is not solely based on Vancouver Canucks internal assessments. It's a view shared by other NHL teams. Therefore, while Vancouver might not make a move, it's possible another team could pursue Malhotra for their coaching staff.

Vancouver Canucks coach Adam Foote was handed a difficult situation

Darren Dreger, speaking on Sekeres and Price, raised the possibility that Vancouver Canucks head coach Adam Foote might have been dealt a tough hand. Dreger questioned whether Foote was given a "dirty deal," considering the roster he's been working with. He speculated that a significant part of Foote's pitch to secure the head coaching position likely centered on his ability to work with Quinn Hughes and improve the team's performance. However, subsequent challenges, including injuries and the trade of JT Miller, have left Foote coaching a team described as the worst in the National Hockey League.

Dreger debated how much of the team's current standing is a reflection of Foote's coaching versus the hand he's been dealt. This situation, coupled with the recognized success of Manny Malhotra within the organization, leads to questions about potential coaching changes this offseason. If the team's rebuild remains a priority, the possibility of a change, which some anticipate as potentially inevitable, is a factor.

Canucks AHL coach Manny Malhotra is NHL-ready

On the same Sekeres and Price segment, Darren Dreger discussed Manny Malhotra's readiness to coach in the NHL, potentially with the Vancouver Canucks or elsewhere. Matt Sekeres inquired if Dreger believed other NHL clubs would show interest in Malhotra.

Dreger indicated that he believes there would be interest. He clarified that this is not based on firm information but on his understanding of how Malhotra was viewed a year ago and that he is a coach being closely watched. Dreger explained that when a coach reaches a certain level of recognition, it means other teams, not just their current organization, are monitoring them. He drew a parallel to how teams maintain lists of players they are interested in, stating that organizations do the same for coaches at all levels.

Dreger reiterated that the sentiment from the previous year was that Malhotra was on the radar of many teams. He mentioned that he had spoken with a couple of individuals who were "kicking tires," reinforcing his earlier assertion that Malhotra is considered NHL-ready. Crucially, this assessment of Malhotra's readiness comes not only from Vancouver Canucks sources but also from other teams within the National Hockey League, suggesting that if Vancouver doesn't make a move, another club might pursue him.