Now that the new head coach, Manny Malhotra, of the Vancouver Canucks has been announced, the next order of business is assistant coaches and finding a new coach for their AHL team. In this edition of NHL Rumours, we look at some early rumblings around a candidate for the Canucks to bring in, while the Seattle Kraken also have interest in a former member of the Canucks front office.
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NHL Rumours and a Potential Canucks and Kraken Hockey Operations Swap
Rumour: According to Elliotte Friedman on the latest 32 Thoughts Podcast on Wednesday, early rumours indicated that the Canucks have interest in bringing Jessica Campbell into the organization, while the Kraken have interest in Patrik Allvin. While an “executive trade” is not technically allowed, both teams are free to pursue Campbell or Allvin.
Analysis: Campbell could fit in the organization in multiple areas, including being one of Vancouver’s assistant coaches or the head coach of the Abbotsford team. Kraken GM Jason Botterill is familiar with Allvin from the Pittsburgh Penguins organization, so their crossing paths again would not be surprising.
Looking at the Canucks’ Organizational Needs and Where Campbell Could Fit
First, we should look at the Canucks’ organizational needs. Manny Malhotra does need to bring in assistant coaches for Vancouver. That could mean internal promotions for the people he worked with in Abbotsford. Assistant coaches Jordan Smith and Harry Mahesh both won the Calder Cup championship alongside Malhotra, so they could very well become head coaches in the AHL, or even join Malhotra in the NHL. If the Canucks do bring in Jessica Campbell, they are bringing in someone who has strong experience in development, as many players from the Coachella Valley Firebirds who played under her cracked the Kraken lineup this season.
Campbell’s fit looks better in Abbotsford, as she could put her developmental skills to full force there. The Vancouver team is more suited to bring in more veteran assistants to help Malhotra out. However, having a younger group on the NHL team could still work, as they could grow their coaching skills alongside the young players.
Campbell made NHL history as the first full-time female coach in the NHL, making her assistant coaching debut on October 8, 2024, with Seattle. She was largely in charge of the power play, as well as skating and skills development. On April 30, 2026, she would leave the team on an expiring contract to pursue other coaching opportunities. Before her AHL and NHL career, she had her own coaching program called JC Powerskating. Among the players she trained are Olympic gold medalist Natalie Spooner, Stanley Cup champion Joel Edmundson, and former first-round pick Tyson Jost.
Kraken Could Bring in Former Canucks GM
Meanwhile, the Kraken reportedly have interest in Patrik Allvin, who recently served as GM of the Vancouver Canucks. Allvin was hired in January 2022 following President Jim Rutherford’s hiring. He previously served as a scout and assistant general manager on the Pittsburgh Penguins, working under Rutherford and assistant GM Jason Botterill, who is now the GM of the Kraken. The Kraken could bring Allvin on for multiple reasons, but given his history, a role in scouting would be a good fit. While he was in Vancouver, he was very active in flying around the world to scout players, and of course, he had ample scouting experience from his time in Pittsburgh.
After his firing in April 2026, Allvin was offered a chance to stay with Vancouver in another capacity, such as scouting, but he reportedly decided to leave the organization to pursue other opportunities. There is no doubt that he will get more opportunities, and one could have presented itself already.
Patrik Allvin is officially leaving the Vancouver Canucks. There was a lingering sense he might consider another role within the organization. Allvin is well respected throughout the hockey community and will have opportunities.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) May 20, 2026
Photo Credit Syndication: Desert Sun
