Confirmed with Link: Manny Malhotra hired as Canucks development coach

[EpochLink]

What happened to Scott Walker? Named "development consultant" last September and then seems to have disappeared.

He's still here from last I heard.

 

[Domecile]

Zero coaching experience at any level yet to no surprise many are as ecstatic about it.

Doubt very much we witness any change or improvement from the group as a result of this.

 

[CherryToke]

Zero coaching experience at any level yet to no surprise many are as ecstatic about it.

Doubt very much we witness any change or improvement from the group as a result of this.

You would find a way to be negative about this.

 

[valkynax]

Apologies for my ignorance in advance, and I mean no sarcasm or snark, but...how does Malhotra's presence as dev coach going to help the team?

I ask because my knowledge of elements other than head coach, GM, and players is very lacking. And it seems that Canucks fans almost universally praise such move.

 

[Gaunce4gm]

Apologies for my ignorance in advance, and I mean no sarcasm or snark, but...how does Malhotra's presence as dev coach going to help the team?

I ask because my knowledge of elements other than head coach, GM, and players is very lacking. And it seems that Canucks fans almost universally praise such move.

He's the leading face off % in the whole franchise, and he's always been known as a top notch 2 way player. He's still young enough that our young prospects will be able to relate more to him than other coaches due to the fact he played in "todays NHL"

I'd imagine as development coach you'd need to be able to communicate and relate to young prospects, as well as teach them to play the right way. (Which he always did)

Also it's a part time position, and I imagine that because of what he sacrificed playing for Vancouver, and the person he is, they will create a job for him. As long as he isn't HURTING the prospects it doesn't really matter if he helps.

I imagine a player like Rick Rypien would have been offered a job of some sort if he were still around. RIP.

The Sedins, Bieksa etc are players I could see staying on or coming back in some type of role in the future.

 

[tantalum]

As a whole taken over the long run faceoff prowess for the team doesn't amount to much. However, in a microcosm of a big game and needing a big faceoff win having a guy that outpaces most of his peers can get you that little advantage you need. Something that could be important in a tight playoff game.

Of course you have to make the playoffs and over 82 games it doesn't translate to much in the end.

Not going to rip on it because sometimes the little adds eventually add up to something big. By the same token the little subtractions can eventually lead to something big the other way.

 

[dwarf]

This is good news imo. I know he has no previous experience as a coach which is the mo of this franchise in general. However, he is a great guy and will help guys like Horvat become better at winning draws.

Hockey is math and if you can't win draws you are going to lose more than you win. And having a great guy as your coach, the players know they have to play well for him to keep his job. Its win win.

 

[Domecile]

You would find a way to be negative about this.

Have to be in order to fit in around here.

I just find it hypocritical* some people here ***** and moan about other hires with no experience but are totally fine with this one. The hire that comes to mind is Brandon Benning as an amateur scout, though I'm sure those people can; and will, come up with a long list of reasons why that's totally different than hiring Manny, but really it's the same.

 

[Hit the post]

Have to be in order to fit in around here.

I just find it hypocritical* some people here ***** and moan about other hires with no experience but are totally fine with this one. The hire that comes to mind is Brandon Benning as an amateur scout, though I'm sure those people can; and will, come up with a long list of reasons why that's totally different than hiring Manny, but really it's the same.

I don't find it hypocritical. He isn't being made a full-time coach/head coach. His is a part-time gig. BIG difference from my POV.

We'll just have to agree to disagree.

 

[DL44]

Who knows what his role will be or how much impact he'll have with our on-ice product...
but it's always good to add good character people to your organization.

 

[Hit the post]

Who knows what his role will be or how much impact he'll have with our on-ice product...
but it's always good to add good character people to your organization.

I look at him as an "consultant" (as again, he's hired as a part-timer per the announcement). He's got knowledge of the game - why not try and take advantage of it?

 

[Iceberg Slim]

Apologies for my ignorance in advance, and I mean no sarcasm or snark, but...how does Malhotra's presence as dev coach going to help the team?

I ask because my knowledge of elements other than head coach, GM, and players is very lacking. And it seems that Canucks fans almost universally praise such move.

It's definitely a gamble since he doesn't have a coaching background. Playing experience only gets you so far when you make the pivot to coaching, management, scouting, etc.

But Manny has a lot going for him that makes it a good bet that he'll be successful. He's been able to basically redefine his career twice (once by shifting to a defensive specialist and again by learning to compensate for the eye injury, albeit ultimately not as successful but still impressive he was even able to come back from that).

The perseverance and dedication Malhotra has demonstrated to establish and maintain his NHL career is something that our young players can learn a great deal from. Malhotra has always worked very hard. In his prime he was often one of the best conditioned athletes on his teams. And he's always been one of those "first on the ice and last off" guys during practices.

He's also well respected for his leadership and dressing room presence. He seems to have been well-liked everywhere he's played by teammates, coaches, management, fans, and media. He's just a class act and seems to really have the right personality traits.

And many of the things Malhotra excelled at (faceoffs, positioning, defensive stick work, PK, shotblocking, etc) are teachable skills that players can improve on through training, practice, and hard work. If Malhotra can manage to communicate some of the methods he used to change his own game, he should be able to help other players improve theirs.

I think Malhotra should have a bright future in coaching and, like most Canucks fans, I'm thrilled to see him (re)joining the team in such a capacity.

 

[Domecile]

I don't find it hypocritical. He isn't being made a full-time coach/head coach. His is a part-time gig. BIG difference from my POV.

We'll just have to agree to disagree.

Sort of like how Brandon Benning is a part time Amateur Scout and not the full time Director, Chief, or Associate Chief of Amateur Scouting. But being that low on the totem pole in such a non-important role doesn't stop people from being outraged over his limited experiences as a scout and his past professions.

 

[Huggy43]

Have to be in order to fit in around here.

I just find it hypocritical* some people here ***** and moan about other hires with no experience but are totally fine with this one. The hire that comes to mind is Brandon Benning as an amateur scout, though I'm sure those people can; and will, come up with a long list of reasons why that's totally different than hiring Manny, but really it's the same.

There's precedent for former NHL players to become coaches after they retire though. Can the same be said for a security guard transitioning to being an NHL scout? At least Manny's previous work experiences are more relatable to his new job then Brandon's were.

 

[vadim sharifijanov]

isn't there a golden rule about coaching that if you're good at something then you suck at coaching it? like gretzky is good at hockey, so he couldn't coach it worth crap. guy carbonneau won all those selke trophies so naturally his habs teams were pretty bad defensively.

and the opposite is supposedly true, like supposedly dan cloutier is a good goalie coach.

maybe manny should take over our PP instead.

 

[Domecile]

There's precedent for former NHL players to become coaches after they retire though. Can the same be said for a security guard transitioning to being an NHL scout? At least Manny's previous work experiences are more relatable to his new job then Brandon's were.

Well, prior to being a security guard he was also a scout in Calgary for 3 years and grew up around a father who was both a player and a scout, so it's not like he's completely out of his element and totally clueless to what's expected of him as a simple amateur scout. I mean, we have random users on this board who do some pretty quality scouting analysis who likely work mundane day jobs, so it's not like it takes a rocket scientist to be one.

Plus it's not like it's a matter of fact that all former NHL players can make good coaches. There are plenty of examples of some of the best players of all time not being good and failing as coaches.

However I don't want to argue the merits of each person, I just wanted to express my opinion after reading this thread and the reactions to Manny being hired as a part time skills coach. I think it's hypocritical some people are celebrating someone with literally zero prior experience coaching at any level of hockey becoming one of our coaches, but then on the other hand scream and complain about nepotism and being under qualified when Brandon Benning is hired as an amateur scout. Feel free to disagree, by no means do I expect everyone to feel the same way.

 

[coldsteel79]

Well, prior to being a security guard he was also a scout in Calgary for 3 years and grew up around a father who was both a player and a scout, so it's not like he's completely out of his element and totally clueless to what's expected of him as a simple amateur scout. I mean, we have random users on this board who do some pretty quality scouting analysis who likely work mundane day jobs, so it's not like it takes a rocket scientist to be one.

Plus it's not like it's a matter of fact that all former NHL players can make good coaches. There are plenty of examples of some of the best players of all time not being good and failing as coaches.

However I don't want to argue the merits of each person, I just wanted to express my opinion after reading this thread and the reactions to Manny being hired as a part time skills coach. I think it's hypocritical some people are celebrating someone with literally zero prior experience coaching at any level of hockey becoming one of our coaches, but then on the other hand scream and complain about nepotism and being under qualified when Brandon Benning is hired as an amateur scout. Feel free to disagree, by no means do I expect everyone to feel the same way.

You've hit the nail on the head, I agree. What I love though is Brandon has been surrounded by hockey his entire life, his grandpa has been a long time scout of montreals, his uncles been a scout, obviously his dad, but because he was a security guard for a stint these boards flame him.

 

[VanillaCoke]

Hmm 3 years as a scout and some as a security guard OR 30 years playing hockey including 1000+ games in the best league in the world.

Yeah let's compare qualifications

 

[Ryp37]

You've hit the nail on the head, I agree. What I love though is Brandon has been surrounded by hockey his entire life, his grandpa has been a long time scout of montreals, his uncles been a scout, obviously his dad, but because he was a security guard for a stint these boards flame him.

of course you're in here defending this

Hmm 3 years as a scout and some as a security guard OR 30 years playing hockey including 1000+ games in the best league in the world.

Yeah let's compare qualifications

No kidding

We already have development coaches in place, Mannys experience adds to that

Brandon Benning is less qualified to be a scout than my mother

 

[Huggy43]

Well, prior to being a security guard he was also a scout in Calgary for 3 years and grew up around a father who was both a player and a scout, so it's not like he's completely out of his element and totally clueless to what's expected of him as a simple amateur scout. I mean, we have random users on this board who do some pretty quality scouting analysis who likely work mundane day jobs, so it's not like it takes a rocket scientist to be one.

Plus it's not like it's a matter of fact that all former NHL players can make good coaches. There are plenty of examples of some of the best players of all time not being good and failing as coaches.

However I don't want to argue the merits of each person, I just wanted to express my opinion after reading this thread and the reactions to Manny being hired as a part time skills coach. I think it's hypocritical some people are celebrating someone with literally zero prior experience coaching at any level of hockey becoming one of our coaches, but then on the other hand scream and complain about nepotism and being under qualified when Brandon Benning is hired as an amateur scout. Feel free to disagree, by no means do I expect everyone to feel the same way.

So you don't want to argue the merits of 2 Canuck employees (one of which you offer as an example) but displeased enough with people's hypocrisy about liking a hiring with no professional experience to voice an opinion. Okay then... You seem to know more about Brandon Benning then I do, could you at least answer a few questions?

Did Brandon's years as a scout in Calgary happen to coincide with Weisbrod's years in Calgary?

Why did he leave Calgary? Was he fired & if so was it close to Weisbrod's firing? Did he resign?


You're right though that not all former NHL players make good coaches. I think the reason most are excited is due to the fact that Manny showed to have many intangibles which he may be able to pass on to players. He has a good head for the game & played smart on the ice.

Also if I remember correctly his voice was well respected in that 2011 room & they were a group that was together for a while. Mentoring from a former player (and one as recent as Manny) may be more impactful then old man Willie's message. I also remember after the injury/during the run it being mentioned that he would watch the games from above & go down to the room during intermissions to tell the boys different ways they could improve. We seemed to do pretty good with him doing that.

 

[F A N]

Apologies for my ignorance in advance, and I mean no sarcasm or snark, but...how does Malhotra's presence as dev coach going to help the team?

I ask because my knowledge of elements other than head coach, GM, and players is very lacking. And it seems that Canucks fans almost universally praise such move.

The development coach mainly works with young players. Players who are more in need of sounding boards, pointers, and even encouragement. Malhotra gives the team another set of eyes, someone whom players can identify with, and another person available to work with the players. When Malhotra talks about something from his playing days it from 20+ years ago.

Malhotra also comes with the reputation of being a vocal leader. A guy who is known to go up to guys to give pointers or speak up in the room. Every where he has played, guys seem to appreciate his leadership. There are some guys that teammates just seem to love and Malhotra is one of them.

It's definitely a gamble since he doesn't have a coaching background. Playing experience only gets you so far when you make the pivot to coaching, management, scouting, etc.

It's not a gamble at all. A development coach has little to zero impact on systems and strategies. He's not there to handle a team's PK or forwards group. He's not there to change a player's fundamentals. He's there to work with the player, provide advice, refine their technique in terms of the way they read the play, stick positioning etc... basically more of a skills coach. At least that's what I think the role involves.

 

[I am toxic]

Here is an example of what he did as a player.

//The Habs have employed gifted faceoff men before (Jeff Halpern springs to mind) but they haven’t been above 50 per cent in draws as a team since 2008-09. While the sample size is still on the small side, the 54.9-per-cent ratio they’ve put up in their first 15 games suggests they can be on the positive side of the ledger this season.

Having one of the NHL’s best faceoff takers around to provide stiff practice competition and dole out advice may have a measurable effect: In the early going almost every centre on the club has seen his numbers improve over last year (Eller is the exception, his totals are unchanged).

“After practices and morning skates we all practise taking draws, and you take pride in beating the other guys,†Malhotra said.

Evidence, then, that it’s still possible to alter a club in meaningful ways//

That's just faceoffs. The press release mentions PK as well.

IMO, this is a good hiring, and should benefit the centres as well as the organization as a whole.

If someone can show how Brandon Benning has improved the Canucks scouting, I would be interested to see it - in another thread.

 

[Iceberg Slim]

It's not a gamble at all. A development coach has little to zero impact on systems and strategies. He's not there to handle a team's PK or forwards group. He's not there to change a player's fundamentals. He's there to work with the player, provide advice, refine their technique in terms of the way they read the play, stick positioning etc... basically more of a skills coach. At least that's what I think the role involves.

The gamble is that he has no prior work history in skills coaching and player development. He brings a wealth of knowledge and playing experience to the table. The challenge is whether or not that will translate. Whether or not he has the knack to teach what he knows.

The rest of my post was about why I think it's a very good gamble. And how Malhotra's personality, work ethic, reputation, experience, and skill set as a player should give him a solid foundation.

But not everyone can be a good teacher.

And it's never a guarantee that a former player will be good at coaching (development, skills, or on the bench). Sometimes it just doesn't work out.

Still, I would agree that regardless of how well he performs in this position, the hiring has already paid off on the PR side of things. So it's basically playing with house money from here on out. In that respect, I'd agree that there's really no gamble here.

And, as I said in the previous post, I think the odds are very good that Malhotra will be successful in this position.

 

[F A N]

There's precedent for former NHL players to become coaches after they retire though. Can the same be said for a security guard transitioning to being an NHL scout? At least Manny's previous work experiences are more relatable to his new job then Brandon's were.

Brandon had two years of amateur scouting experience with an NHL team prior to joining the Canucks. If you want to talk about precedents, what was the precedent for player agents to step directly into the GM role before Gillis? Mike Barnett? What was the precedent for an analytics guy to become an assistant GM? What was the precedent for a finance and computer applications major to become a special assistant to the GM then Director of Hockey Operations? There's plenty of precedents of scouts who got their starts basically volunteering their services. Obviously, Brandon has the benefit of his father and his grandfather's expertise in the field. My guess is that he received training in this field with either his father or grandfather before he sought to work as a professional amateur scout.

The scrutiny over the Brandon Benning hire is sickening. The Canucks didn't hire a "security guard" to be an amateur scout. They hired a part-time scout who was serving in the same capacity with the Flames the last two years. The young man is trying to break into the world of scouting while holding a second job as a legal assistant. Did Eric Crawford receive the same scrutiny when he became an assistant coach with the Moose and then pro scout? Did Lou Crawford receive the same scrutiny? What about Brett Henning?

Brandon's grandfather, Elmer, is a long time Habs scout. His former career was firefighting? Plenty of people who didn't have a distinguish hockey career got their start offering their services. Ex Giants' GM Scott Bonner got taught by Elmer, offered to scout the WHL for free at 16, and left Costco to become Director of Scouting for a WHL team at age 20.

Did anyone expect Eric Crawford or Brackett to one day run the draft for the Canucks? These were low level hires to start. Whether you can make it a career is a different story. The Canucks under Gillis have built one of the larger scouting staffs. Other teams have caught up. Brandon is essentially a part-time regional scout who goes to his local WHL team's games. And considering he holds a second job as a legal assistant, my guess is he isn't getting paid all that much.

Did Brandon's years as a scout in Calgary happen to coincide with Weisbrod's years in Calgary?

It did.

Why did he leave Calgary? Was he fired & if so was it close to Weisbrod's firing? Did he resign?

His contract was likely year to year and when his contract ended with Calgary he immediately joined the Canucks. Whether he was offered an extension with the Flames or not I don't know.

 

[F A N]

The gamble is that he has no prior work history in skills coaching and player development. He brings a wealth of knowledge and playing experience to the table. The challenge is whether or not that will translate. Whether or not he has the knack to teach what he knows.

Whether or not Malhotra's knowledge and experience will translate does not mean it's a gamble. It's not a gamble because there's little to no risk of hurting the team or the team's prospects' development. If he ends up doing little to help with the development of the team's young players then he's simply not good at this job. That's it. If you think Malhotra has a chance of ruining a player's development please explain how.