Overview

• General manager Patrik Allvin announced Tuesday that Vancouver has picked up Malhotra’s 2026–27 option to remain Abbotsford’s head coach.
• In his first AHL season, Abbotsford set franchise marks with 44 wins and 92 points in the regular season.
• The Canucks’ AHL affiliate went 16–8 in the playoffs and defeated the Charlotte Checkers to capture the 2025 Calder Cup.
• Malhotra’s group supplied NHL-ready help, including significant games from Elias Pettersson and Max Sasson and debuts for Ty Muller, Kirill Kudryavtsev, Jonathan Lekkerimäki and Nikita Tolopilo.
• The 45-year-old returned to Vancouver in 2024 after four seasons as a Maple Leafs assistant and earlier Canucks roles, and he was reportedly considered for the NHL bench before the club hired Adam Foote, reinforcing his candidacy for future head-coaching openings.