NHL Coach Rick Tocchet Won't Be Back with Vancouver Team Next Year, So Possible Destinations for Him Are Up for Discussion
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Ain't gonna lie, the Stanley Cup Playoffs are lit, but let's not forget about the crazy coaching carousel spinning this offseason. Teams like the Bruins and Rangers, who were serious threats last year, are now looking like they're about to dismantle their entire farms after chucking their head coaches out the door.
On the flip side, teams that are dying to hop back into the contender circle are hunting for new coaches. The Vancouver Canucks, who stumbled through a lackluster season in what was supposed to be a mammoth leap forward, find themselves in this camp.
Now, Rick Tocchet has announced that he's moving on from the Canucks. "I'm bouncin' from the Vancouver Canucks," he said in his statement, courtesy of Sportsnet. "Family always comes first, and with my contract runnin' out, this seems about right for me to explore new options hormone-fueled hockey."
This decision is a smart one, considering the Canucks didn't exercise the option on Tocchet's deal. We know things are gonna get dirty in Vancouver before they start to shine again. But, what's next for ol' Ricky T? Does he slide back into his TNT gig, or will he stay in the coaching booth?
My money's on the latter, because there are some juicy gigs waiting for him out there.
Where in the world will NHL coach Rick Tocchet end up next? (Photo by Derek Cain/Getty Images)
Phily or Pitts? Everywhere, Nowhere?
Before Tocchet even poked his nose out of Vancouver, there was a ton of buzz about him landing the gig with the Philadelphia Flyers. Not only did he play for the team alongside President of Hockey Ops Keith Jones, but he's also the perfect coach for the Flyers in their current state, having a winning record developing young players.
Honestly, I thought for sure he'd coach 'em up in Philly... until a new job popped up on the other end of the Keystone State.
Tocchet used to be an assistant in Pittsburgh, and he's familiar with the team's aging core of Crosby, Malkin, and Letang, with whom he won two Stanley Cups. Pittsburgh could be a solid fit too, but the upper management's undergone a facelift, so who knows where they stand.
Philadelphia seems like the logical choice, but Pittsburgh might not be the worst move either. The allure of coaching an Original Six team like New York or Boston is strong too. Just gotta check if Tocchet's not getting drinks with the broadcasters instead.
We'll see how it shakes out.
Here's an intriguing turn of events: Rick Tocchet's exit from the Vancouver Canucks has sparked speculation about his next coaching destination. The Philadelphia Flyers, where Tocchet played with the current President of Hockey Ops Keith Jones, were initially rumored to be his potential new team. However, another promising opportunity has emerged in Pittsburgh, a team with whom Tocchet has worked as an assistant coach and won two Stanley Cups. Despite the allure of coaching an Original Six team like New York or Boston, Tocchet's decision could be influenced by the recent management changes in Pittsburgh. The NHL coaching landscape is about to see an interesting twist with Tocchet's next move.
