The Toronto Maple Leafs Bench Is Full Once Again.
Today, the Toronto Maple Leafs officially hired a new assistant coach, effectively ending the speculation (for now) of Bruce Boudreau joining the bench.
The new hire is Manny Malhotra, a Mississauga native who has spent the last three seasons as an assistant coach with the Vancouver Canucks, mostly on the developmental side of their organization.
Malhotra replaces former assistant coach Paul McFarland, with whom the Leafs parted ways after the season. It is not unexpected that there would be changes to Keefe’s coaching staff, as he joined the Leafs mid-season and inherited his assistants from Mike Babcock.
Malhotra played in the NHL for 16 seasons across seven organizations after being drafted in the first round (seventh overall) by the New York Rangers in the 1998 Draft. Through his career, Malhotra recorded 295 points (116 goals) in 991 regular-season games. He won a Calder Cup championship in 2000, an OHL championship in 1998, and represented Canada on the international stage four times, in the World Juniors, Men’s World Championships and Spengler Cup championship.
Toronto Maple Leafs Assistant Coaches
Malhotra will presumably be given the keys to run the Toronto Maple power play, given the vacancy left by Paul McFarland. With the Canucks, he was not an active member of their bench, but he was said to be instrumental in the development of their young players.
In addition to his duties with special teams, it seems Malhotra will also be working with the Maple Leafs forwards on the issue of defensive responsibility:
As for anyone still holding out hope (like myself) that Boudreau could still find his way to Toronto, should probably take a glance at this tweet from Wild insider Michael Russo:
Bruce Boudreau was informed this morning that the Leafs were going in a different direx. Former #mnwild coach talked to Sheldon Keefe twice.
— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) September 17, 2020
Boudreau still wants to be a head coach, so if there are coaching changes next season, he'll be hoping to go somewhere and provide a jolt https://t.co/werCgfQm9n
It’s disappointing that we (probably) won’t see “Gabby” behind the Leafs bench, even for a little while, but the immediate takeaway from this hiring is that it’s a great move, Toronto brings in a fresh voice to the room and a guy who’s impact on the continued development on young stars cannot be understated.
Throughout his career, Malhotra was known as an excellent defender who was fantastic on the draw and a great leader in the dressing room. Bringing these traits to the Toronto Maple Leafs can only help as they chase down their first Stanley Cup in over 50 years.
Welcome to the Toronto Maple Leafs Manny, and best of luck!