The Vancouver Canucks are heading into a pivotal NHL offseason with one major concern finally off the table: Adam Foote will be the head coach for the 2025-26 season. Shortly after his appointment, Foote delivered a firm reminder to Elias Pettersson, Quinn Hughes, and the rest of the team he already knows well.

Foote is taking over behind the bench after Rick Tocchet’s exit, and subsequent signing with the Philadelphia Flyers. The former assistant coach in Vancouver will now be at the helm of the coaching staff, though he’s yet to name his assistant coaches.

After the chaotic 2024-25 NHL season, Pettersson and Hughes are eager for a fresh start. Although Foote isn’t neccesarily a new face, he brings some winds of change to Rogers Arena ahead of the offseason.

Though Foote will be making his NHL head coaching debut, expectations won’t be any lower for the first-year bench boss: Vancouver wants the Stanley Cup. Whether that goal is realistic or far-fetched doesn’t change the tune in Vancity — the Canucks want to see a Cup hoisted in British Columbia for the first time in franchise history.

Elias Pettersson #40 of the Vancouver Canucks waits for a face off during the first period of their NHL game against the Edmonton Oilers at Rogers Arena on November 9, 2024 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

On that note, Foote delivered a stern reminder to Pettersson, Hughes, and company, as the Canucks will enter the next season determined to be a contender in the Western Conference.

“We’re going to compete. We’re going to be hard to play against, and we want to win,” Foote stated during his introductory press conference in Vancouver, per Sportsnet.

Team-first mentality

While the decision to promote Foote to head coach took time and required thorough debate within the Canucks organization, general manager Patrik Allvin stated he didn’t consult with Hughes or any other player. In Vancouver, no one is above the crest.

“It’s not about one player. It’s about the team,” Allvin said, stating he didn’t discuss the potential candidates with Hughes throughout the process.

Adam Foote walks to the bench for his first ever WHL game as a head coach for the Kelowna Rockets against the Swift Current Broncos at Prospera Place on October 23, 2018 in Kelowna, Canada.

Incoming rookie

Following Foote’s hiring, the Canucks announced Swedish defenseman Tom Willander had agreed to his three-year, entry-level contract with the organization, providing a considerable boost to the franchise’s prospects pool.

SURVEY Was Adam Foote the right decision for the Canucks?

Was Adam Foote the right decision for the Canucks?

Yes, they have a head coach who's already familiar with the roster
Yes, but they were other candidates as good as him
No, the Canucks should have chosen a different route than Foote's

already voted 36 fans

Willander was selected by the Canucks with the 11th overall pick in the 2023 NHL entry Draft, before spending two seasons with the Boston University Terriers in the NCAA. He recorded 49 points in 77 games with the program.