The Abbotsford Canucks are one win away from the Calder Cup title. They won Game 1 in double overtime and lost Game 2 in overtime but since then have controlled the series against the Charlotte Checkers with a 6-1 win in Game 3 and a 3-2 Game 4 victory, where they led 3-0 in the third period.
There are a few things to point to in the Canucks playoff run. There are a handful of skaters who have stepped up, including Linus Karlsson and Arshdeep Bains, who combined for 17 goals and 26 assists in the playoffs. Moreover, goaltender Arturs Silovs is playing his best hockey on the biggest stage with five shutouts in the run and 150 saves on 159 shots in the Final.
It’s hard to ignore Manny Malhotra and the job he’s done behind the bench. It’s his first season in the American Hockey League (AHL) yet he has the Canucks player bought into his system and style of play. The run has many hockey fans starting to take notice of the next up-and-coming coach in the AHL, something this league he no shortage of.
Malhotra’s Background Shaping Abbotsford’s Identity
Many coaches have similar paths. Some are the depth defensemen who, after years of watching the play from the point, saw things other skaters didn’t (making them knowledgeable coaches). Then there are the journeyman centers who had to fight for their spots in the lineup and play above their weight, translating to a leader behind the bench who gets the most out of the group.
Malhotra came into the NHL as a top prospect as the 7th pick in the 1998 draft, yet he spent most of his career as a bottom-six forward, often playing a checking role. It’s easy to label him as a bust, a center who averaged only 10 goals and 15 assists in his career. Usually, players like that don’t last long in the NHL. Malhotra spent 16 seasons in the NHL.
It’s that fight to stay in the lineup, in the league, and take on more responsibilities that molded Malhotra. He was asked to do it all as a bottom-six forward and he asks the same from the Canucks. He played with a fire and passion for the game and expects the same from the AHL roster. As a top pick, he understands what prospects are going through and knows how to connect with a skater who feels trapped in the AHL and wants to take that next step. Every team takes on the identity of their head coach and the Canucks one-season in look like the team Malhotra embodies.
What Makes Malhotra a Great Coach
Watching the Canucks in the Calder Cup Playoffs, it’s noticeable how well they play from an Xs and Os standpoint. They move the puck up the ice but also know when to send the cross-ice passes and where the open skaters will be. It’s how Jonathan Lekkerimaki scored both his goals in the Game 4 victory as the Canucks gashed the Checkers on the rush and made the right passes to find the open skater in the slot.
The players are always in the right positions and understand the in-game stations. On top of that, Malhotra can pivot from a physical style to a fast-paced one to give the Canucks the edge. The Checkers play a physical brand of hockey and Malhotra has the Canucks playing that way as well. Yet, when the opportunity presents itself, he speeds up the game and overwhelms the opponent.
Along with the on-ice factors, there’s Malhotra’s off-ice demeanor. He’s a player’s coach and at 45, understands the younger skaters more than most coaches. The AHL is filled with younger coaches who can relate to the developing prospects; it’s a younger league on the ice and a younger league behind the bench. Malhotra is relatable, and at the same time, he keeps the team disciplined and holds them accountable. He has no problem demoting a prospect in the lineup or limiting their ice time if they play poorly.
Malhotra Will Be Paid, But Where?
The NHL coaching carousel is winding down, and Malhotra’s making his mark a bit late for teams to take notice. He won’t be on anyone’s radar for now, he will be by next offseason’s coaching searches. The AHL is full of great coaches capable of being successful in the NHL and Malhotra looks like the young one to watch.
In the meantime, the Canucks might look to give him a promotion. A new contract is one way to do that but they might look to add him to the NHL coaching staff. Adam Foote was hired as their head coach and having Malhotra around as an assistant can be a valuable addition to the bench.
It’s hard seeing Malhotra moving around after one season in the AHL. Yet, his first season behind the bench has put him on the map. Todd Nelson is the standard in the AHL, leading the Hershey Bears to Calder Cup titles in 2023 and 2024. It’s why he’s headed back to the NHL as a Pittsburgh Penguins assistant coach. Kris Knoblauch came from the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack before leading the Edmonton Oilers to back-to-back Stanley Cup Final appearances. Malhotra is the new kid on the block, and a Calder Cup title will be the start of a great coaching career in the making.
