The Canucks have nine players headed to free agency in less than two weeks, and while Patrik Allvin has been working to get some of them back, Rick Tocchet has been pleading some of his players' cases.
Nikita Zadorov has clarified that he wishes to stay in Vancouver, and everybody knows it. Conversely, Dakota Joshua hasn't been as aggressive in showing his cards. While the team's head coach doesn't usually negotiate players' contracts, Rick Tocchet has been getting his nose in the GM's affair and preaching for two players he wishes to see back into Canucks colours for the 2024-2025 campaign.
According to the information Rick Dhaliwal shared earlier on the Donnie and Dhali show, he believes that Tocchet went up to management to let them know that they couldn't lose both Dakota Joshua and Nikita Zadorov:
It's well-known that Dakota Joshua is one of Rick Tocchet's favourite players on the team, as he had once identified him as the Canucks' diamond in the rough; I can't argue that he was wrong there. Tocchet also praised Nikita Zadorov throughout the season; he loved his leadership, his ability to stand up for his teammates, and how he found a way to rise when the stakes were getting more significant.
With their recent outbreaks, many teams have grown very fond of Nikita Zadorov and Dakota Joshua. Especially after their playoff performances. It is expected that their agent will be highly solicited on July 1st if the Canucks don't get them under contract.
