Travis Green knows firsthand how demanding the road to an NHL coaching position can be—it’s a gradual process that mirrors the climb players face when trying to make it to the big leagues. Now, Green sees that same determination in Manny Malhotra, the first-year head coach of the Abbotsford Canucks, who’s turning heads with his rapid success behind the bench.
A decade ago, Green helped guide the Vancouver Canucks’ former AHL affiliate, the Utica Comets, to their first-ever appearance in the Calder Cup Finals. Although the team came up short against the Manchester Monarchs—losing a tightly contested five-game series that included three one-goal games and two overtime losses—the experience shaped both the players and Green himself. He would go on to spend four seasons in Utica before being promoted to head coach of the Vancouver Canucks in 2017, later joining the Devils organization, and eventually taking the reins of the Ottawa Senators, a team now on the rise.
Now the focus shifts to Manny Malhotra, who is preparing Abbotsford for their own shot at the Calder Cup as they begin their playoff campaign in Charlotte, North Carolina. Widely praised for adjusting quickly to the pressures of AHL coaching, Malhotra has found a supportive mentor in Green—someone who knows the value of being present and patient.
When asked what advice he would offer the 45-year-old Malhotra, Green said none was necessary.
“He’s doing an outstanding job already,” Green told Postmedia in a recent interview. “I sent him a message to wish him well and to congratulate him. That’s all he needs.”
Though they didn’t know each other prior to their time in Vancouver, Green said a strong friendship has grown between them, and he’s proud of Malhotra’s progress.
Malhotra’s name is already circulating in NHL coaching conversations. He was reportedly a contender to fill Vancouver’s head coaching vacancy following Rick Tocchet’s departure, though the job ultimately went to Adam Foote. And after Pete DeBoer was dismissed by the Dallas Stars, Malhotra quickly emerged as one of the betting favorites to take over. Still, Green believes the timing of such a leap matters—and rushing into an NHL head coaching job may not always be the right move.
Green himself once thought he was close to landing top jobs in Anaheim and Colorado before ending up in Vancouver. Rather than jump too early, he chose to continue refining his skills in the AHL, learning the nuances of coaching under pressure, managing lineups amidst constant roster changes, and motivating players in both early and late stages of their careers.
“It’s not a sprint,” Green emphasized. “I learned that while coaching junior hockey in Portland. Whether you’re a player or a coach, you have to spend years perfecting your approach. Manny’s on the right path, and the Canucks made a smart decision bringing him in.”
Green added that both Malhotra and Ryan Johnson, Abbotsford’s GM and assistant GM with the Canucks, have the talent and leadership to someday thrive in top NHL roles.
One recent example of that AHL-to-NHL coaching trajectory is Spencer Carbery, the 43-year-old who just completed a breakout season with the Washington Capitals, earning the Jack Adams Award as the NHL’s best head coach. Carbery turned the Capitals around in only his second year, leading them to their best season since 2018 after previously serving as an assistant in Toronto and a head coach in Hershey (AHL).
Washington surged in scoring, defense, and special teams under his leadership, and finished with 51 wins, 109 points, and a playoff series victory.
Green said the AHL continues to be an invaluable proving ground for future NHL coaches.
“It’s where you really earn your coaching stripes,” Green said. “You deal with all sorts of challenges—injuries, constant call-ups, and roster changes driven by development priorities. It forces you to be adaptable and resourceful.”
He added that coaching in the AHL also means handling a mix of up-and-coming prospects and veterans on the decline—each requiring different motivational approaches.
“You’ve got to be able to shuffle your lines, motivate your group, and keep the team energized, even when you’re running on empty yourself,” he added. “The AHL tests you in ways that prepare you for anything.”
With the spotlight now on Malhotra as Abbotsford looks to make a deep playoff run, his calm leadership, NHL experience, and respected presence are only increasing speculation about when—not if—he’ll get his shot at running an NHL bench.
