Ex-Vancouver Canucks coach Tocchet could end up with the Boston Bruins
Ex-Vancouver Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet is not lacking in suitors on the coaching carousel.
The 61-year-old is one of the hottest available candidates, and many teams are interested in hiring him for next season. His work with the Canucks caught attention around the league.
The most likely rumoured landing spots are the Philadelphia Flyers and Pittsburgh Penguins. Tocchet has been connected to those spots even before he left Vancouver. But it sounds like other teams are also making a push, including one of the Canucks biggest rivals.
“Everyone is going to reach out to him,” said CHEK’s Rick Dhaliwal on Donnie & Dhali. “Keep an eye on the Bruins, I will be surprised if the Bruins don’t contact Tocchet.”
Dhaliwal’s reporting linking Tocchet with the Boston Bruins was supported by others around the league.
āI think they [Bruins] should be more about the long-term, but if they really think they can turn this around fast, Tocchet is their guy, and I think heād be interested,” said an anonymous NHL source per RG.org’s Jimmy Murphy.
The Bruins are coming off a disappointing season in which they finished second-last in the Eastern Conference. However, they have some very talented players, such as David Pastrnak and Charlie McAvoy, and could rebound up the standings next year. They also have former Canucks Elias Lindholm and Nikita Zadorov, who Tocchet has coached before.
The Bruins also own the seventh overall pick in this summer’s draft. They can use that valuable asset to either add an impact player to their prospect pool or trade for someone who can play in the NHL next season.
Tocchet played 67 games for the Bruins across two seasons during his career, so there is a connection. The Bruins are also an original six franchise and one of the league’s most storied teams, making them an attractive landing spot for any coach.
The Bruins aren’t the only team reportedly interested in Tocchet. The Anaheim Ducks hired Joel Quenneville today, but Tocchet was a finalist for the position, per ESPN’s Emily Kaplan.
It’s still unknown where Tocchet will sign, but it’s clear he will have his choice of desirable positions around the league.