Friedman: Expect Canucks’ shortlist down to 3-4 candidates this week; Malhotra and Sturm among names to watch

Patrik Allvin and Jim Rutherford are amid their search to find the next bench boss for the Vancouver Canucks. While names such as Manny Malhotra, Adam Foote, and Marco Sturm have been leaked as possible targets, it’s been relatively quiet on the head coaching front.

Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman joined Donnie and Dhali on Monday morning to discuss the latest he’s hearing regarding the Canucks’ head coaching search:

“I believe they did a whole bunch of interviews last week. Malhotra’s name is obviously there. Marco Sturm’s name got out, and I think that’s pretty legitimate. I believe this week the Canucks are going to try and drop to a shortlist of three or four candidates. I would think that Sturm would be on that list; I would think Malhotra would be on that list, and then, probably one or two more.”

Malhotra is serving his first year behind the bench for the Abbotsford Canucks, where he led the team to their best season in the franchise’s four year history with a 44-24-4 for 92 points, two points shy of the division title. Abbotsford are still competing in the Calder Cup Playoffs, battling the Colorado Eagles for a trip to the Western Conference Finals.

Sturm has been the head coach of the Ontario Reign (the Los Angeles Kings’ AHL team) for the previous three seasons, where he’s put together a 119-80-17 record, with back-to-back third place finishes in the Pacific Division. As the higher seed, Ontario was swept by the San Jose Barracuda in the first round this season, scoring just one goal in the two games.

The word on Foote has seemed to cool down, but other potential names swirling are Todd Nelson and Mitch Love.

Nelson has been the head coach of the Hershey Bears (the Washington Capitals’ AHL team) for the past three seasons, accruing a 141-53-22 record, with back-to-back Calder Cup Championships. Hershey’s hope for three straight titles is still alive, although they’re trailing their best-of-five series to the Charlotte Checkers 2-1.

Love is another candidate within the Washington Capitals organization, currently serving as an assistant coach. Before joining the Capitals, Love was the head coach of the Calgary Flames’ farm team (split between the Stockton Heat and Calgary Wranglers), where he finished with a 96-33-12 record, earning back-to-back Pacific Division titles.

While the full list is still not out yet, management appears to be targeting more of an AHL experienced coach for the next head coach of the Vancouver Canucks.