Vancouver Canucks extend Manny Malhotra's contract but will he finish it?

The Vancouver Canucks have picked up the option on Manny Malhotra’s contract.

The 45-year-old bench boss led the Abbotsford Canucks to a Calder Cup championship last season, so this was a no-brainer. The move puts Malhotra under contract until the end of the 2026-27 season.

“Since joining our organization, Manny has done a great job teaching, communicating with, and developing our players in the American Hockey League,” said Canucks GM Patrik Allvin. “His work ethic, passion, and partnership with our NHL staff was a big reason why our group in Abbotsford won a Calder Cup, and why the players we called up to Vancouver during the season fit into our system so well. We are extremely happy to have Manny extend his time with the hockey club.”

Malhotra returned to the Canucks’ organization in 2024, following four seasons as an assistant coach with the Toronto Maple Leafs under Sheldon Keefe. He previously worked on Travis Green’s staff in Vancouver for three seasons as an assistant, following one year as a development coach.

To say Malhotra’s first season behind the bench in Abbotsford went well would be an understatement. Abbotsford posted an impressive 44-24-2-2 record during the regular season, and went 16-8 during the playoffs. The Canucks also had a number of call-ups show well at the NHL level, which is another good sign out of Abbotsford.

It remains to be seen if Malhotra will coach the remainder of his contract in Abbotsford, though.

Malhotra is well respected around the NHL and is a surefire bet to be a candidate for NHL head coaching jobs in the near future. The Canucks considered Malhotra as a replacement for Rick Tocchet, but chose Adam Foote instead.

If Malhotra backs up last season with another impressive year in Abbotsford, you can expect a number of NHL teams will come calling next summer.

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