Malhotra spearheaded the Abby Canucks to the fifth-best regular season record in the AHL despite seeing many of his key players shuttled up to Vancouver throughout the campaign as call-ups. That included an incredible 13-game winning streak down the stretch when some of Malhotra’s top players were up with the big club.

Family is a priority, and with my contract lapsing, this becomes the opportune time,” Tocchet said. “While I don’t know where I’m headed, or exactly how this will play

Rick Tocchet has stepped down as Canucks coach, despite the team's attempts to re-sign him. The Canucks now become the eighth NHL team looking to a hire a new coach this offseason.