The Vancouver Canucks are reportedly working to secure coach Rick Tocchet’s future with the team.
GM Patrik Allvin and the organization have already made an initial contract offer and remain eager to extend Tocchet’s deal, according to Sportnet’s Elliotte Friedman. The guaranteed portion of the contract expires after this season. However, if an agreement is not reached, the Canucks may push for their club option for the 2025-26 season if necessary.
The two sides haven’t come to terms yet, which, of course, raises speculation about whether Tocchet is longing to stay or not after all the storylines and hurdles the Canucks have had this season.
Tocchet was a big storyline last season for leading the Canucks to a resurgence and a Pacific Division title last year. He earned the Jack Adams Award as NHL’s coach of the year in 2023-24.
This season, the team is seven points behind a wild-card spot with eight games left. That’s affected his contract situation.
“I'm trying to be as honest as possible. Honestly, I'm thinking, like, trying to get this team in (the playoffs),” Tocchet told reporters on Tuesday.
While some speculate that Tocchet may be open to other opportunities, there is no clear indication he wants to leave Vancouver.
The Canucks’ season has been filled with drama and challenges. The team traded J.T. Miller to the New York Rangers after dealing with all the attention regarding tensions with center Elias Pettersson. Pettersson’s had a down year that generated trade speculation. Injuries have been an issue all season, with Thatcher Demko, Quinn Hughes and Pettersson among those who missed time.
While they are still in the playoff race, their odds of making the post-season are at 6.7 percent on moneypuck.com, and their chances of making the conference final are at 0.5 percent.
Canucks Home Stand Preview: The Road To The Final Five Games Of The Season
After going 2–2–2 on their six-game road trip, the <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/vancouver-canucks">Vancouver Canucks</a> are now preparing for a three-game homestand in which they’ll take on a crop of division rivals. Tonight, Vancouver will host the <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/seattle-kraken/">Seattle Kraken</a> at 7:30 pm PT. Their next games are a set of back-to-backs on the weekend, when they’ll take on the <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/anaheim-ducks/">Anaheim Ducks</a> at 1:00 pm PT on Saturday, and the <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/vegas-golden-knights/">Vegas Golden Knights</a> at 7:00 pm PT on Sunday. It’s very likely that the Canucks’ chance at competing in the playoffs will be dictated during this week, so let’s take a look at how these three games may shape the end of Vancouver’s regular season.
Once this season comes to a close, there are big choices to be made, with Brock Boeser being a pending UFA and Pettersson’s no-move clause starting on July 1. While some of the soap opera is done, the drama is far from over.
The team’s long-term direction could be a factor.
Captain Hughes has two seasons left on his contract, while Demko has one. If the team keeps Pettersson, the pressure will be sky-high for him to be a No. 1 center and for Tocchet to bring the best out of him.
Given his recent Jack Adams win, Tocchet could be in high demand if he doesn’t return to Vancouver, which could tempt him to survey his options.
Friedman suggested the Philadelphia Flyers could have interest in Tocchet, which makes sense, given they just fired John Tortorella and Tocchet’s time as a player there. The Pittsburgh Penguins are another team to watch – they’ve had a lot of faith in Mike Sullivan, but if they part ways, Tocchet also played there and was an assistant coach from 2014 to 2017.
That said, Tocchet has remained consistent in his messaging about Vancouver.
“This is a great city,” he told reporters Tuesday. “I walk around this city. It’s a phenomenal city – the fans have been great.”
Until Tocchet and the Canucks agree on an extension or part ways, the speculation about their future will continue to grow, especially if they miss the playoffs, and more coaching positions open elsewhere.
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