Sounds like Adam Foote is on Vancouver Canucks coach hire shortlist
The Vancouver Canucks need a new head coach and a few names already inside the organization seem to be among the top candidates.
Abbotsford Canucks head coach Manny Malhotra is on the shortlist as confirmed by president of hockey operations Jim Rutherford. He has done a wonderful job in his first season as a professional head coach, leading the team into the AHL Playoffs. But Malhotra isn’t the only coach already working for the Canucks who could get the top job.
Adam Foote, who has been an assistant coach since January 2023 — when Rick Tocchet was hired — will also be a leading candidate. Foote has been in charge of the defencemen in Vancouver and has helped turn the group into one of the NHL’s stingiest teams. He also helped lead the penalty kill, which finished third in the league last season.
“I think Adam Foote would have a serious chance there in Vancouver,” said Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman on 32 Thoughts.
With so many potential candidates, it’s hard to pinpoint who is most likely to be the Canucks next head coach. However, Foote has an advantage over the rest of the field, and that’s an excellent relationship with captain Quinn Hughes.
Foote helped Hughes win his first Norris Trophy in the 2023-24 season and has helped take the young blueliner’s game to another level.
“First of all, he’s a really smart guy, that’s number one, but number two, I’d be curious to see if that would be Quinn Hughes approved,” continued Friedman. “They’re close, good relationship, Foote has really helped Hughes improve as a player, good advice. They bounce things off each other really well.”
“I wouldn’t be surprised if, in addition to the fact that I think he really knows hockey well, that would have Foote on Vancouver’s shortlist.”
Hughes spoke publicly about how he wanted Rick Tocchet to return. With that possibility gone, perhaps hiring Foote is the best way to make the star happy.
Foote’s contract with the Canucks is up and his name has been floated in other markets as a potential head coach. However, it’s only in Vancouver where he’d get to lead a defenceman of Hughes’ calibre.
Hughes has just two years left on his current contract with the Canucks. Rutherford has been very public with the fact that he could leave, potentially to play with his brothers in New Jersey. Getting this coaching decision right and landing someone who Hughes likes is a major step in getting the star to re-sign, and if he already approves of Foote, then that is a significant box checked.
Foote previously worked as the head coach of the WHL’s Kelowna Rockets for one season, leading them to a 29-28-6 record. He has no head coaching experience at the professional level.
The Canucks will go through a process to find their next coach and will interview multiple different candidates. However, after all that work, they may find the best choice is already working in the organization.