Looking Back On Rick Tocchet's First 100 Games As Head Coach Of The Vancouver Canucks
Tocchet is 60-29-11 as head coach of the Vancouver Canucks
Photo by James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports - Looking Back On Rick Tocchet's First 100 Games As Head Coach Of The Vancouver CanucksOn Tuesday, Rick Tocchet became the 17th head coach in Vancouver Canucks history to hit the 100 games mark. During his time behind the bench, he has recorded 60 wins, which, according to the NHL record book, is tied with Ken Hitchcock, Joel Quenneville, Gerard Gallant and Tony Granato for the 25th most by a coach during their first 100 games with a franchise. While Tocchet has only been with the Canucks for a little over a year, he has had a massive impact on the team and has turned them from an organization fighting for a playoff spot to one that is in content for the Presidents' Trophy.
Since Tocchet took over on Jan. 22, 2023, Vancouver has been a top-ten team in multiple categories. They have the seventh-highest points percentage at .655 and are one of six teams with 60+ wins. They also rank sixth in goals for per game with 3.45 and ninth in goals against per game at 2.89. Ultimately, he is getting the most out of his players, resulting from strong system play and keeping everybody, including his stars, accountable.
As mentioned, players have taken their game to another level since Tocchet's arrival. J.T. Miller (125 points) and Elias Pettersson (124) rank eighth and ninth in league scoring since the hiring, while Quinn Hughes' 107 points is 18 more than the next closest defenceman. Brock Boeser has also seen increased production with 44 goals and 91 points, while players like Dakota Joshua, Filip Hronek and Nils Höglander have all established new career highs in goals, assists or points. A coach who isn't afraid to shake up his lines, he puts players in a position to succeed and has shown he is more than willing to give those having strong games additional ice time and opportunities.
Lastly, one bonus with Tocchet is how transparent he is daily. Rather than giving short answers, he will walk people through his decision-making and isn't afraid to be critical of his team's or individual players' poor performances. This is hard to find in the NHL, as most coaches in the league like to keep their cards close to the vest. Tocchet's openness, however, allows fans and the media to better grasp what is going on rather than speculate, which often turns a minor issue into a major news story.
While Toochet has only been with the Canucks for 100 games, it is safe to say that Jim Rutherford and Patrik Allvin hit a home run when it came to hiring him. Tocchet has been a breath of fresh air for this organization and its fan base, who have watched playoff hockey twice in the last decade. A contender for the Jack Adams Award at the end of this season, it is hard to imagine a better start to his tenure in Vancouver.
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