Rick Tocchet considered for important international event

With National Hockey League players returning to best-on-best events starting with the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off and then the 2026 Winter Olympics, some nations are beginning to take a look at who they want on their respective coaching staffs.

For Canada, it appears that Tampa Bay Lightning head coach Jon Cooper will be Canada's bench boss at both the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off and 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy. As for Cooper's assistants, it appears that Rick Tocchet may be in the running.

According to Daren Millard on 'The Chirp' podcast, Rick Tocchet is on Canada's radar to be apart of their coaching staff for either or potentially both of the upcoming best-on-best international events.

Tocchet, 60, had an incredible first full season as the head coach of the Vancouver Canucks. He led the team to first place in the Pacific Division, their first division title in 11 years, with a record of 50-23-9. He was recognized for his strong season being named the 2023-24 winner of the Jack Adams Award as the National Hockey League's best coach.

With Canada, along with Finland, Sweden and the United States, set to announce their first six players on their respective rosters at the NHL Entry Draft later this month, it wouldn't be surprising if we hear some official news on the coaching front around then as well.