NHL Insider Provides Essential Update on Rick Tocchet's Connection & Future with the Philadelphia Flyers
Photo credit: Bob Frid - USA TODAY Sports
An insider has dismissed a potential connection between Vancouver Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet and the Philadelphia Flyers' coaching vacancy.
On Thursday, the Philadelphia Flyers felt like it was time to make a coaching change as they fired former Vancouver Canucks bench boss John Tortorella, replacing him with Brad Shaw on an interim basis for the remainder of the 2024-25 season.
Following the news of Tortorella being fired in Philadelphia, a report came out suggesting that Vancouver Canucks head coach and former Flyer Rick Tocchet could be a candidate for their coaching vacancy, however one insider says it's a bit too early to consider him an option.
Insider shoots down possibility Rick Tocchet joins Philadelphia Flyers
During Thursday's edition of Insider Trading on TSN, Chris Johnston said that while he understands the link between Philadelphia and Rick Tocchet, he believes talk regarding that is a bit premature and that the Canucks head coach has his focus on getting Vancouver into the playoffs.
"I can understand it. A former Flyer and all that stuff, but I do think that kind of talk is premature." Johnston said.
He added, "There is still a process to play out between Tocchet and the Canucks. The coach is focus, first of all, is trying to make the playoffs. Beyond that fact, Tocchet does have a team option for next season."
He added, "There is still a process to play out between Tocchet and the Canucks. The coach is focus, first of all, is trying to make the playoffs. Beyond that fact, Tocchet does have a team option for next season."
Tocchet, 60, was drafted 121st overall by the Philadelphia Flyers in 1983 and went on to appear in parts of 11 seasons with them during his National Hockey League career, recording 508 points and 1,815 penalty minutes in 621 games.
It's understandable why there'd be a connection between Tocchet and Philadelphia's coaching vacancy, but for now, it doesn't seem like he's too interested in leaving Vancouver, saying recently that a new deal will get done when the time is right.
"It'll get [done at] the appropriate time. That's really what it is. I can't really concentrate on that stuff. Every day we come in, we're really concentrated on a lot of different things. I'm very comfortable, and I think they [are], too. That when it's appropriate time, we can spend some time and really dive in [on] where we're going, what we're going to do, and things like that. I think that's really the best answer I can give you guys." Tocchet said recently.
Tocchet and the Vancouver Canucks currently sit five points back of the final wild card spot in the Western Conference with ten games to go in their regular season schedule.
Source: TSN Insider Trading/Chris Johnston
Insider Trading: Timing on Tortorella's exit from Flyers
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