Latest news with #CalderCups
Vancouver Sun
28-05-2025
- Sport
- Vancouver Sun
Does Abbotsford's success mean Malhotra will outskate the Canucks?
Manny Malhotra's remarkable first season as a head coach has brought positivity to an otherwise flailing organization. But it has also raised the likelihood his positive influence will end up benefiting a rival organization. This season with the Abbotsford Canucks , Malhotra took over a squad that most expected to be workmanlike but not much else. He pushed them well beyond expectation and built them into a Calder Cup contender. In a league where your lineup is in flux nearly every night because of call-ups to the big club, where talent varies greatly from player to player — you have grinding ECHL call-ups playing alongside future NHL snipers — putting together the kind of consistency that Malhotra's team has can be elusive. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Leave no doubt: What Malhotra has done with the Baby Canucks, landing them in the final four of the American Hockey League playoffs, has drawn notice around the NHL. Under the former Canucks centre, Abbotsford had a 13-game win streak late in the regular season, even while missing a number of the team's stars to NHL call-ups and injury. And in the playoffs, his team has only got better — after their 44-24-2-2 regular season, Malhotra's crew is 8-4 in the playoffs, having dismissed Tucson, Coachella Valley and Colorado. Game 1 of the Western Conference final against the Texas Stars begins Thursday at the Abbotsford Centre. The defeat of Colorado is especially impressive given the Eagles were the AHL's best team on home ice and Abbotsford won two of three games at Blue Arena, home of the Eagles. There's buzz around Malhotra, but how quickly will all this buzz add up to an NHL opportunity? There are up-and-coming coaches who get noticed every year, but in the end most don't get hired. Just looking at the list of recent Calder Cup-winning coaches tells a story unto itself. Todd Nelson has won three of the last seven Calder Cups as a head coach, but he's had barely a sniff at the NHL — an interim gig a decade ago in Edmonton, before his AHL coaching career really took off. Since that NHL cup of coffee, he's been excellent and yet hasn't been hired by an NHL team even though many of his peers have. He won his first cup in 2017 with Grand Rapids, which you'd think would have earned him a promotion back to the show, since four of the previous five coaches to win the AHL title have all gone on to the NHL. Three of the four have found success in the NHL: Jared Bednar and Jon Cooper have both become among the NHL's best coaches, and Jeff Blashill has done enough to win a second NHL job — he was hired last week by Chicago and was Detroit's bench boss from 2015 to 2022. But Willie Desjardins' NHL time is surely over, as he had a mediocre run in Vancouver, then was essentially a placeholder figure in Los Angeles for less than a season. And in between Nelson's win in 2017 and his next win in 2023 with Hershey — he also won last year — Sheldon Keefe, Mike Vellucci and Ryan Warsofsky all won the cup. Keefe and Warsofsky are both in the NHL, but Vellucci is not. Winning, it's clear, gets you a chance in the show more often than not. There's little doubt what Malhotra has done this year is going to boost his name. 'Tough to say what it leads to in the short term, but obviously people will take notice of his success,' one league source observed. Just look at Malhotra's predecessor in Abbotsford as another example: Jeremy Colliton guided the Abby squad to two strong seasons, then got a promotion to associate coach with the New Jersey Devils last summer. Of course, he has previous NHL head coaching experience, which Malhotra does not. Still, if Malhotra has another strong season next year, there is no doubt teams will come calling. He was in consideration for the NHL Canucks' head coaching job this spring, to succeed Rick Tocchet . The Canucks' brass went with Adam Foote instead. Foote does not have a ton of experience — less NHL experience as an assistant than Malhotra — but he may yet pan out as a solid NHL bench boss. Given the positive trajectory Malhotra's career seems to be on — he was well-regarded as an NHL assistant in Toronto and Vancouver — plus this season's success, Malhotra's long-term coaching ceiling may be higher than Foote's. Will the Canucks come to rue their choice? Malhotra's boss Ryan Johnson is surely going to draw some buzz elsewhere. The former Canucks centre — ironically, it was the signing of Malhotra in 2010 that ended Johnson's tenure as a player with the Canucks — has long drawn praise from his own bosses and was handed a promotion to assistant general manager with the NHL club along with his AHL GM role last summer. He's not as well versed in the CBA or in contract negotiation as other candidates might be, but he has proven to be a loyal organizational soldier for a decade, and since the arrival of Jim Rutherford and Patrik Allvin in the 2022-23 season has finally felt strong organizational support in his role developing the next wave of Canucks in the minors. Jim Benning never really understood what it takes to develop prospects, and with the AHL club so far away in Utica, Johnson's project often felt like an afterthought. It's notable that his teams still produced some NHLers in the likes of Jonah Gadjovich, Jalen Chatfield and Adam Gaudette, although had the development program been more co-ordinated — as it seems to have become under Allvin and Rutherford — surely Johnson's Utica teams would have delivered more players to the NHL. Either way, he has developed a strong reputation as a manager. Teams do value competence more than ever. pjohnston@
New York Times
11-04-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Ian Laperriere discusses progress of Flyers prospects, the coaching vacancy and more
Unlike their parent club, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms are preparing for the playoffs. The AHL Phantoms clinched their spot this week, although they don't yet have a first-round opponent for what will be a best-of-three opening series. They're also getting some reinforcements. Last year's Flyers first-round pick, Jett Luchanko, is there, Rodrigo Abols and Olle Lycksell were reassigned from the Flyers this week, Emil Andrae could return after the NHL season is over, and highly regarded prospect Alex Bump likely will sign after the NCAA Frozen Four. Advertisement 'Our skill level is going to go up, and guys' roles are going to change a little bit, but it's for the best,' coach Ian Laperriere said. 'I think the timing is great.' Laperriere is in his fourth season as head coach of the Phantoms, 33-27-8 this season, and chatted by phone with The Athletic for a few minutes on Thursday morning. (Some questions and responses here have been lightly edited for clarity.) What have been the strengths and weaknesses of this season's Phantoms? I think our D core (has been a strength). When we defend hard, that's when we're at our best. When we do defend hard, we don't spend time in our zone and have more time to create offense. We've had problems scoring goals even when we had everybody here, so that's one thing that we can all control, is play good defense. … I'm a big believer that teams that win in the playoffs are good defenders. Hershey won the last two Calder Cups because they defend hard and they don't spend time in their zone. When we're at our best, that's the way we play. You recently got Jett Luchanko added to your roster. How has he been so far? I was impressed in (training) camp and I'm even more impressed now. His maturity, for an 18-year-old kid… He came to us with great details, and his speed is welcomed here. Especially down the middle, where we don't have that speed, he does bring that. For me as a coach, it's more his maturity away from the puck, supporting everybody. He's got all the tools. He's playing a lot, so he's a big part of our team. That was my message when he got to us — you're not coming here just to learn your way in the American League. You're going to be a big part of what we want to do here. So far, he has been. I know there was room for him to improve on his shot and finish. Does it look like that part of his game has gotten better from when you saw him last September? I want him to shoot more, to be honest. And I get it, he gets here, new teammates, he wants to please people around him. A couple times, I felt like he could have put the puck on net but he's looking for backdoor plays that our players are not ready for. It's not a skill problem. I think he needs to be a little more selfish and use his shot, because he does have a good shot. I think it's going to come by being here and getting more comfortable and confident. His playmaking ability, I think he really improved in that. He does have passing ability that I didn't notice as much (in training camp), but I'm noticing now, which is great. Advertisement (In five games with the Phantoms, Luchanko has no goals and two assists.) Another guy who is intriguing to Flyers fans is Nikita Grebenkin (acquired from Toronto as part of the Scott Laughton trade). How is he doing? He elevates our skill level, big-time. He makes plays, he's strong on the puck. He reminds me a little of Olle Lycksell, the way he plays the game. He might be a little bit bigger, but he's a puck-possession guy, looking to make plays. That's another kid that makes us better, which is a good move for the organization down the road. He's a baby, 21 years old. He's going to have a shot at one point with the big club. And wait until you meet that kid. Personality-wise, he's amazing. I know you're using him on the power play. Is that a big part of his game? Yes. He's a flank guy, he comes down the strong side. He's got good vision, a good shot. That's another kid, I'd like him to shoot a little bit more. He's a playmaking guy first, and hopefully the more he gets comfortable, he'll use his shot a little bit more. (In eight games since the trade, Grebenkin has three goals and two assists with the Phantoms.) Hunter McDonald seems to be a guy that the organization is high on, particularly with his size on the blue line. Has he made progress? Mac's been improving. It's his first pro year. Ups and downs, which is fine, but he's been solid all year. He's not afraid of fighting when it's for the right reasons. He plays hard. That's a kid that we have to tell him to relax a little bit, but I welcome that. It's easier to (coach) a kid with too much juice than someone who doesn't have enough juice. Played with Louis Belpedio all year, who's a good veteran to have on his side and helping him. He's been improving all year. For him, it's a big adjustment. In college, you go from 40 games to 72 games, and big minutes. He's been going the right direction. Advertisement (In 67 games with the Phantoms, McDonald has three goals and 13 assists for 16 points, and 93 penalty minutes.) Is there someone that's maybe a bit under the radar who's taken a big step forward? (Zayde) Wisdom. He's been great. Last year I couldn't play him. We had too many guys and his game wasn't quite the way it is now. I checked on him this summer, and he told me, 'Lappy, I'm going to come to camp and make the team, and I'll stay in the lineup.' And he walked the walked. He's been our most consistent forward. He's been great. I can't say enough good things about him, because often guys talk, but don't walk the walk. But he came to camp, had a great camp, and was healthy-scratched at the beginning of the year, but when he got in I couldn't take him out. He's playing the right way, playing hard, and he's a team-first guy. Everything I love about a guy. (In 64 games, Wisdom, a fourth-round pick of the Flyers in 2020, has 13 goals and 30 points.) Anyone else? (Jacob) Gaucher has been a guy that got an NHL contract out of his season. He's a great story — an undrafted guy, and a great story for the organization actually. If you show the Flyers that if you do the job, you'll get rewarded. He's been great. Gendron has scored 20 goals as a 21-year-old. He's been improving away from the puck. He's scored goals everywhere he's been. But we all know pro hockey, there's more to it. He's giving himself a chance to maybe one day, if he keeps going like that, to have a sniff at the NHL. (Gaucher, who signed a two-year, entry level contract with the Flyers on Dec. 12, is second on the Phantoms in scoring with 36 points — 20 goals, 16 assists — in 67 games. Gendron has 20 goals and eight assists in 61 games.) The Flyers obviously have a head coaching vacancy now. Are you interested in that job? I'd love to have that job, for sure. I want to coach at the best level. It's in (GM Daniel Briere's) hands and we'll see what happens at the end of the year. I'm focusing on taking this team as far as I can. But to be honest, transparent — for sure. Who wouldn't want that job? I love the Flyers and that's a job I'd like. At the end of the day I'm trying to stay in the moment, and we'll see what happens tomorrow.
Yahoo
01-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
How Are The Capitals' Regular Scratches Faring Without Playing Time? Dylan McIlrath Offers Insight
ARLINGTON, V.A. — Dylan McIlrath wasn't oblivious to his role when he made the full-time jump up to the NHL this season, knowing that his games with the Washington Capitals would be few and far between as a seventh defenseman. That doesn't make the life of a regular healthy scratch any easier, though. "I think the hardest part is not being in the locker room on game day, getting the juices flowing with the teammates," McIlrath said. "Having that camraderie on the ice and in the room, that's what I miss the most." McIlrath has appeared in just 11 games for Washington this season, spending most of his time watching from the press box with the blue line having been mostly healthy over the course of the regular season. He last played back on Dec. 23 against the Boston Bruins, skating just 1:45 minutes as the team dressed 11 forwards and seven defensemen. His last legitimate game was on Nov. 3 against the Carolina Hurricanes; even then, he logged just 10:47 minutes of ice itme. "Luckily I got in games early to get my feet wet early. This would be tough if I hadn't had a game yet," McIlrath said. "I can lean on knowing that i can play at this level, just with having ome success early and feeling comfortable, so taht gives me confidence if and when my time comes." McIlrath, who captained the AHL's Hershey Bears to back-to-back Calder Cups the last two seasons, has regularly been an extra, along with Alex Alexeyev and Jakub Vrana, who finally made his return to the lineup on Thursday with Tom Wilson ill. McIlrath has been scratched for 25 straight games, and Alexeyev has had the longest stretch of scratches, having not played since Nov. 8 (46 games). Going through those long periods of time between playing, McIlrath said he and his fellow scratches have been able to lean on one another to make the experience easier. "There's good days and bad days during these stretches, but we just try to keep our spirits up. We try to have fun with each other, making sure there's a balance of having fun but staying competitive on the ice with each other and pushing each other," McIlrath said, adding, "We're trying to just mentally be there for each other, and it's been good. We've gotten a lot closer." With 23 games left in the regular season, McIlrath said that he's okay with where things stand regarding his role, and appreciates coach Spencer Carbery for remaining honest and transparent in the process. That said, he's doing what he can to make sure he is ready when his number is called. "It's just the situation; I'm at peace with it. It doesn't make it easy, but it's something that I know I just got to focus on myself. I've been at it long enough to be a pro, and I know I got to be ready when my time (comes)," McIlrath said, adding, "So (I'm) really taking advantage of a full team practice and making sure I'm keeping that pace as the other guys and treating it as if it were a game."
