Vancouver Canucks announce Manny Malhotra as new head coach after disappointing year

[p]The 46-year-old Canadian replaced Adam Foote, who was fired two weeks ago after guiding the [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/vancouver-canucks/YiOrnTV9/"]Canucks[/a] to an NHL-worst 25 wins in 82 games.[/p][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/malhotra-manny/xnzB6LAL/"]Malhotra[/a] spent four seasons each as an assistant coach with Vancouver and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/toronto-maple-leafs/ShE7Z8G3/"]Toronto[/a] before coaching the Canucks' top development club to a league title two seasons ago.[/p][p]"[b]Manny and I have been in the battle together before, so I know firsthand what a good teacher, leader, and quality person he is[/b]," Canucks general manager Ryan Johnson said Monday night in announcing the move.[/p][p]"[b]Connection, consistency and putting in place the proper foundation will be key for our group moving forward.[/b][/p][p]"[b]Manny is a great coach who has the right skillset and mentality to help players develop and get better each day[/b]."[/p][embed guid="053dfe20-8ee7-495b-8fb2-1fdde79a1223" url="https://x.com/Canucks/status/2061647778003222538?s=20" social-type="twitter" /][p]Malhotra scored 116 goals in 991 games as a center with the [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/new-york-rangers/O4zxeyWN/"]New York Rangers[/a], [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/dallas-stars/vVAvnIuC/"]Dallas[/a], [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/columbus-blue-jackets/0vCzmbQ5/"]Columbus[/a], [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/san-jose-sharks/E588Co9j/"]San Jose[/a], Vancouver, [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/carolina-hurricanes/Sx0gl0tm/"]Carolina[/a] and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/montreal-canadiens/nu2G7VWc/"]Montreal[/a].[/p][p]The Canucks have missed the playoffs in five of the past six seasons and have not gone beyond the second round since falling to [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/boston-bruins/jeans23J/"]Boston[/a] in the 2011 NHL Final.[/p][p]The Canucks, last in goals allowed and penalty killing last season, will have the third pick in this month's NHL Draft.[/p]