Future of three key members of Canucks front office revealed
The Vancouver Canucks have made sweeping changes to their key decision-makers this offseason.
Jim Rutherford has stepped down as president of hockey operations, while Patrik Allvin and Adam Foote have been fired.
But while all three assistant coaches were dismissed on Tuesday, their two assistant general managers are staying put.
Based on recent reports, it seemed likely that one or both would be dismissed, but that’s not going to be the case.
“Nothing has changed. They are a big part of this group,” GM Ryan Johnson said when asked about Emilie Castonguay and Cammi Granato on Tuesday. “They’ve been a big part of my maturation as a person and a professional. So nothing has changed in that regard.”
Cammi Granato was hired as assistant general manager in 2022 (@cammigranato21/Instagram)
Johnson said he’s looking to add another AGM, likely one to replace the role he vacated as GM of the Abbotsford Canucks. Drafting and developing will be of the utmost importance during this rebuild, he stressed.
“I am working through making sure that I’ve got the right help and support. I need to be challenged, I need ideas, I need people around me.”
The Canucks drafted Tom Willander 11th overall in 2023 (Christopher Hanewinckel/USA TODAY Sports)
Another person in the team’s front office who was rumoured to be on thin ice was Todd Harvey, the director of amateur scouting.
That’s a role Harvey has held since 2021, and Johnson gave him a vote of confidence. He even name-checked a handful of late-round picks he was responsible for.
“I have the utmost respect for Todd Harvey, how he’s led his group, how he’s evolved as a leader over the years and been challenged. But he’s been able to build this group and make changes where he felt needed. Nobody works harder than Todd. He commands the room. He’s empowered his staff.”
What about Manny?
Malhotra seems to be the favourite for the head coaching job (Ian Yount/AHL)
Johnson was asked multiple times about Manny Malhotra, and he didn’t hide his interest in potentially hiring the 46-year-old as the Canucks’ next head coach.
“Manny has shown his ability to develop young players, to build a connection, and obviously win a championship with a very young group,” Johnson said. “I am going to speak with him, sit down with him, and talk about the future.”
Johnson indicated that he would speak with Malhotra first, before conducting a search for other candidates. The Canucks GM seemed to hint that the search would be short if that conversation goes well.
When asked about the characteristics he’s looking for, Johnson could have been describing Malhotra.
“Consistency, patience. The ability to connect with a young group and realize that we can’t blanket players. That they each have their own path, their own journey that you’ve got to be attentive to,” Johnson said.
Some have wondered about choosing Manny as coach if the team believes it’ll draft his son Caleb. The Canucks are said to be impressed by the prospect, and they hold the third overall pick.
Johnson was clear about that, saying that Caleb won’t affect the decision on Manny.
“I’m in no position to change or make decisions based off one or the other. There will be no sacrifice because of a father-son relationship, I would say,” Johnson said.
We should get an answer on Manny in the coming days or weeks, while Caleb’s future will be cemented at the draft in Buffalo on June 26.