NHL analyst questions Canucks promoting Adam Foote to head coach position - "Sometimes players are desperate for fresh eyes"

The Vancouver Canucks promoted Adam Foote to coach after Rick Tocchet stepped down on April 29. Foote had been with the team as an assistant coach for three seasons. His only head coaching experience was with the Kelowna Rockets in the WHL from 2018 to 2020, so the move has raised questions among NHL analysts, including Nick Kypreos.

Kypreos, co-host of the Kyper and Bourne podcast, said thaat promoting assistants to head coaches can be risky. He said Foote is respected and has grown as a coach, but keeping the job in-house might not be the best move.

"Listen, Adam Foote, I've known for a long time and very much a guy that has a ton of respect as a person and as a coach, getting better and better," Kypreos said.

"You hope that's the case. I don't know whether or not it's a good idea to keep it internal at this point, whether or not you needed fresh eyes."

Kypreos pointed to other situations where assistant coaches became head coaches but struggled. He cited the examples like Colin Campbell and Mike Murphy, who found the transition difficult.

Kypreos also said that it’s unclear if Foote has set opinions about players from working under Tocchet, which could make it difficult for players to feel they have a clean slate.

"And I don't know if there's preconceived notions on a few players that him, and Rick may have had already," Kypreos said.

"Sometimes players are desperate for fresh eyes, new attitude and a chance to give a new first impression. But Adam's a quality guy. He's a hockey guy through and through and deserves the opportunity."

Even with the concerns, Kypreos understands that Foote is a quality person and deserves the opportunity.

Nick Kypreos also said that many Canucks fans likely hoped Tocchet would stay, but the team wasn't willing to meet his salary demands. Kypreos noted that money often becomes the main issue in these situations.

"I'm sure Vancouver Canuck fans would have hoped that Rick would stay," Kypreos said.

"Obviously, the money was the big issue there. I know there's a lot of things, a lot of boxes that need to be checked off for any free agent, player or coach, but money always starts at the top."

The Canucks missed the playoffs this year, finishing six points behind the final Wild Card spot. Injuries, including to goalie Thatcher Demko, played a part. There were also reports of tension in the locker room, including between Elias Pettersson and J.T. Miller, who was traded to the Rangers on Jan. 31.

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Canucks captain Quinn Hughes praised Adam Foote

Adam Foote has built trust with the team and played a big role in the penalty kill. He received praise from Canucks captain Quinn Hughes in February.

"This is a guy that coaches his defensemen, coaches his players, like he'd want his kids coached," Hughes said (via NHL.com). "And then on top of that, with all the experience he has."

Adam Foote played 19 seasons in the NHL with the Nordiques, Avalanche and Blue Jackets. He won the Stanley Cup in 1996 and 2001 with Colorado and earned gold with Canada in the 2002 Olympics. Foote retired in 2010 after 1,154 regular-season games and 170 playoff games.

The Canucks will hope that Foote can help them return to the playoffs. Time will tell if the decision to stay internal was the right one.