Canucks' head coach Rick Tocchet not expected to return with the team next season per NHL Insider

It was reported Tuesday by Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman that the Vancouver Canucks will not be getting Rick Tocchet back as head coach next season.

Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) on X There is word this afternoon that Rick Tocchet will not be returning as head coach of the Vancouver Canucks. Believe there will be a full statement with his rationale in the next little while...but add Vancouver to the teams looking for a new bench boss.

It is expected that the team will make a statement at some point in the next day or two but already sportsbooks are opening up odds for where the 2024 Jack Adams award winner will go. 

Rick Tocchet's Next Head Coaching Job Early Odds on FanDuel (Subject to Change):

• Philadelphia Flyers (-125) 
• New York Rangers (+700)

Evident Flyers Connections

Tocchet emerges as a leading contender for the Flyers' head coaching role, and it's not without reason. With deep-rooted ties to the franchise and an impressive coaching track record, he's seen as a logical and appealing choice.

Tocchet’s coaching credentials were highlighted in 2024 when guiding Vancouver to a first-place finish in the Pacific Division and a strong postseason showing that extended into the second round. His prior head coaching tenures with Tampa Bay and Arizona add further depth to his résumé.

Additionally, he has lifted the Stanley Cup three times—once as a player and twice behind the bench as an assistant with Pittsburgh.

His history with Philadelphia runs deep. Drafted in 1983 by the Flyers, he spent over a decade wearing orange and black across two separate spells.

Beyond his playing days, his connections extend into the front office, having shared ice time with both Danny Brière during their stint in Phoenix and current Hockey Ops President Keith Jones.

Stylistically, Tocchet brings a demanding, hard-edged presence reminiscent of John Tortorella.

However, he's viewed as someone who might strike a better balance between intensity and approachability—an important factor considering how Tortorella's abrasive methods eventually lost traction despite early success with the club’s young core.