Canucks Decide on Future of Veteran Head Coach
After the ending of what can only be described as a disappointing season for the Vancouver Canucks, all eyes fell on head coach Rick Tocchet as his return to the Canucks next season was brought into question. Some people desperately wanted to see Tocchet go after the upsetting 2024-2025 season, and after much discussion and speculation, the organization announced today that Tocchet would not be returning as the head coach of the Canucks. While many people thought his return was likely following statements of support from captain Quinn Hughes, there were ultimately too many issues in the way, making it impossible for the organization and Tocchet to come to an agreement. The Canucks have not announced who will take his place.
Tocchet’s former contract was two million a year, and it was reported that he was looking for a drastic raise, hoping to get the organization to agree to a $25 million salary. It was also reported that the franchise’s lack of a practice facility was a problem standing in the way of Tocchet in his consideration to return as head coach. While Tocchet had coached the Canucks to one of their best seasons in the 2023-2024 season, making it to playoffs and being awarded the Jack Adams Award for best coach in the NHL, the Canucks did not see a future with Tocchet as the head coach. The organization could have kept Tocchet around, but ultimately felt that it would not be beneficial to the team to keep a head coach whose mind seemed to be elsewhere.
Despite the vote of confidence from Quinn Hughes, saying that Tocchet is a great coach and he believed in the future of the team under his lead, Tocchet and the Canucks organization just did not seem able to make it work. This will be the fourth head coach for the Vancouver Canucks within a four year time frame. Rumors have speculated about where Tocchet may end up now, with teams like the New York Rangers and the Pittsburgh Penguins also parting ways with their head coaches. Of course this also brings into question who the Canucks will bring on as the new head coach for the upcoming season. Will they be able to drag the team out of their slump?
