It's now down to two teams to land head coach Rick Tocchet, per NHL insider
Photo credit: James Carey Lauder - Imagn Images
A National Hockey League insider believes that it's going to boil down to two teams for the services of head coach Rick Tocchet for the 2025-26 season and beyond.
Exactly one week ago, Vancouver Canucks President of Hockey Operations Jim Rutherford sat in front of the media and said that the team would not be exercising a team option in Rick Tocchet's contract and that they've made they've made him an offer to make him the highest-paid coach in franchise history.
A decision was expected to be made quickly, but as of Monday morning, there's still no movement on a deal between the two sides with the team's lack of a practice facility reportedly being one of the reasons Tocchet has been hesitant to sign a new contract.
Insider says it's down to two teams for head coach Rick Tocchet
Whether it's in Vancouver or elsewhere in the National Hockey League, Rick Tocchet is expected to get paid quite a bit, reports suggesting he's seeking $25 million USD on a five-year deal, with an AAV of $5 million, which would make him the second-highest paid coach in the league after Pittsburgh parted ways with Mike Sullivan on Monday.
As fans continue to wait for a decision on where Rick Tocchet plans on coaching next season, Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman has provided a bit of an update on Monday's edition of Donnie & Dhali.
According to Elliotte Friedman, he believes it's going to come down to two teams for Rick Tocchet - the Vancouver Canucks or the Philadelphia Flyers, the latter of whom he was drafted by and spent parts of 11 seasons with as a player.
"He is. There's no question about that. I still believe, like I said now that Sullivan is on the market, he's the Rangers number one guy. I think Tocchet was a potential mix in New York, but I think Sullivan rockets to the top of their list." Friedman said.
He added, "I really do think, if he's coaching next year, the most likely outcomes are Vancouver and Philadelphia. We'll see where it goes.
I think we're getting close. My bet is if he's coaching next year, it's either in Vancouver or Philadelphia."
He added, "I really do think, if he's coaching next year, the most likely outcomes are Vancouver and Philadelphia. We'll see where it goes.
I think we're getting close. My bet is if he's coaching next year, it's either in Vancouver or Philadelphia."
If the Vancouver Canucks and Rick Tocchet decide to go their separate ways, Patrik Allvin will have to add a coaching search to his plate on top of trying to improve the teams roster.
Some potential candidates that the Vancouver Canucks could consider this summer, if Tocchet leaves, include Manny Malhotra, Gerard Gallant, Dan Bylsma or Mike Sullivan.
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