Over the past few weeks, the Vancouver Canucks — particularly GM Patrik Allvin — have made it very clear they want Rick Tocchet to return.
The guaranteed portion of the coach’s contract expires June 30, but there is a team option for 2025-26. According to several sources, the Canucks are indicating that if Tocchet is coaching next season, it will be in Vancouver on his club option or with an extension.
Their goal is to extend him, but they will exercise the option if it is necessary.
Tocchet, the reigning Jack Adams Award winner as NHL coach of the year, told Sportsnet 650 radio last month that he wasn’t going to personally discuss his future with the organization during the playoff chase.
“I am so dialled in on (making the playoffs) that I really don’t want to make it about me right now,” he said at the time.
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It’s been a hard year in Vancouver, with distraction and injury making this a more challenging season than hoped or expected. But it’s clear the players still compete hard for their coach.
The Canucks are believed to have made one offer already to Tocchet to start the conversation. Of course, term and dollars will be a major factor, but so will direction of the franchise. Tocchet, management and ownership will need to make certain they see the future the same way.
If not in Vancouver, Tocchet would rise up the list of potential candidates elsewhere — particularly Philadelphia, where he was an hugely popular Flyer. But the Canucks are making it clear that they want Tocchet to stay and have contractual rights in this process.
We will see how things develop.
