NHL Insider Not Optimistic About Rick Tocchet's Chances of Staying With Vancouver Canucks
Photo credit: TSN
An NHL insider says he's not too optimistic about Rick Tocchet's chances of remaining head coach of the Vancouver Canucks, as contract talks between the two sides are still ongoing.
As the Vancouver Canucks' front office met with reporters on Monday morning, the topic everyone wanted to hear about was the future of head coach Rick Tocchet.
President of Hockey Operations Jim Rutherford told the media that the organization won't be exercising the option on Rick Tocchet's contract, but they hope that he remains with the team after making a contract offer to him recently, adding that a decision is expected at some point this week.
Insider doesn't believe Rick Tocchet will be returning to Vancouver Canucks
During an appearance on Sekeres and Price this week, former Sportsnet insider John Shannon said that he's not very optimistic about Rick Tocchet stay on as head coach of the Vancouver Canucks.
"Personally, I'm not that optimistic that he's coming back." Shannon said.
He added, "I just think that when you said, when you tell everybody, and I don't have inside knowledge I'm just trying to read the room, when you tell everybody that we've given our best offer, we really like them. We're not going to do the option. The onus is now on Rick, the onus is completely on Rick. And if that was the case why isn't Rick there now? Why isn't Rick signed now? So it goes to what other options does Rick have at this point?"
He added, "I just think that when you said, when you tell everybody, and I don't have inside knowledge I'm just trying to read the room, when you tell everybody that we've given our best offer, we really like them. We're not going to do the option. The onus is now on Rick, the onus is completely on Rick. And if that was the case why isn't Rick there now? Why isn't Rick signed now? So it goes to what other options does Rick have at this point?"
That offer made by the Vancouver Canucks to Rick Tocchet would reportedly make him the highest paid head coach in the team's 55-year history, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman said over the weekend.
"I believe the Vancouver Canucks have committed that Rick Tocchet will be the highest-paid coach in franchise history. I do believe that's going to happen, if he stays." Friedman said.
If this is the end of the line for Rick Tocchet behind the bench in Vancouver, he deserves praise for the job he did, leading the team to a 108-65-27 record in 200 regular season game, while helping them reach the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs in 2024.
With coaching vacancies popping up around the National Hockey League in the last couple of weeks including Anaheim, New York [Rangers] and Seattle, it wouldn't be too much of a shock if Rick Tocchet were to find a new job quickly, if he doesn't accept Vancouver's offer.
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