The Boston Bruins are currently in the middle of a search for their next full-time coach. Bruins management has confirmed that interim head coach Joe Sacco will still be considered for the role, but they are exploring all avenues before making their final decision.
The coaching market is already starting to see notable names come off the board, including Mike Sullivan (New York Rangers) and Joel Quenneville (Anaheim Ducks). However, some big-time coaches are still available, and the Bruins reportedly have one of the game's best on their radar.
According to RG.org's Jimmy Murphy, a source said that the Bruins are interested in hiring former Vancouver Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet.
"If they can secure an interview with [Tocchet], and yeah, they're trying, he becomes their top target," Murphy's source said.
Hearing that Tocchet is on the Bruins' radar is not surprising in the slightest. The 61-year-old is a top coach in the NHL and just completed a strong stint with the Canucks. In three seasons as the Canucks' bench boss, he had a 108-65-27 record. He also won the Jack Adams Award at the NHL's top coach in 2023-24, when he led the Canucks to a 50-23-9 record. Tocchet also won two Stanley Cups as an assistant coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2016 and 2017.
Given Tocchet's resume, he would undoubtedly be a major addition to the Bruins' bench if he accepted a job with the Original Six club. However, he is also going to generate plenty of interest from teams around the league, so the Bruins will have competition for his services.
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