The Vancouver Canucks have made yet another off-ice change already this offseason. This time, the Canucks fire Adam Foote, their (now former) head coach, along with three of their assistant coaches. It had first been reported on Tuesday morning. Now, with the next hire, that would make five head coaches who have coached Vancouver since 2021.
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Canucks Fire Adam Foote and 3 Assistant Coaches Fired After Miserable Season
The Canucks just finished an extremely tough 2025-26 season, finishing in last place in the NHL with a 25-49-8 record. Following the season, previous general manager Patrik Allvin was let go, and president Jim Rutherford announced he will be stepping down. Now, under the new management of the Sedin twins and Ryan Johnson, they have made their first move. Foote was the head coach of the Canucks for only one season, after spending two and a half seasons as an assistant coach under Rick Tocchet. All three assistant coaches, Kevin Dean, Brett McLean and Scott Young, are also out.
General Manager Ryan Johnson announced today that Head Coach Adam Foote and Assistant Coaches Scott Young, Kevin Dean and Brett McLean have been relieved of their duties.
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) May 19, 2026
Foote leaves the Canucks with some mixed results. As an assistant coach, he excelled at running the defence and the penalty kill. The team allowed the sixth fewest goals in the NHL in 2023-24, under his guidance. Quinn Hughes became the Norris Trophy-calibre defenceman that he is today during Foote’s tenure. As a head coach, he struggled to establish the structure that Tocchet implemented, leading to sloppy defence and allowing goals way too often. All he could do was preach positivity as the team went full-tilt into a rebuild.
Who’s Up Next in the Coaching Role?
Manny Malhotra will definitely be the top candidate to become the next head coach. He led the Abbotsford Canucks to a Calder Cup in 2025, and many players from that team have gone on to play for the NHL squad this season. Now, with Ryan Johnson at Vancouver’s helm, it seems more than likely that Johnson will promote Malhotra, so that the dream team can be reunited once more. With the Sedins as presidents as well, it seems like the opportune time. Malhotra has ample experience developing young players, so as the Canucks rebuild, he may be the best guy for the job. Of course, the organization may opt for a wider search, but that is still to come.
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