Tocchet fields questions on contract negotiations with Vancouver Canucks
The discussion surrounding Rick Tocchet’s future with the Vancouver Canucks is heating up despite the coach’s desire to put it off until the season has ended.
With the Canucks’ playoff odds sinking below 10 per cent at most outlets, more attention is turning to next season, and Tocchet’s status is one of the biggest stories.
Tocchet’s contract expires at the end of this season, but the Canucks have a club option for next year. While it’s not ideal to have Tocchet return on the one-year option, the Canucks are willing to do so if no extension can be agreed upon, per Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman. Friedman had also previously reported the Canucks tabled an offer to Tocchet, which was rejected.
The head coach was asked about the reports and the status of his negotiations with the Canucks after practice today. He preferred to keep the focus on the immediate task at hand, preparing his team to play the Seattle Kraken tomorrow night.
“It’s private, you know me, I’m trying to be as honest as possible,” responded Tocchet. “I honestly am thinking [about] trying to get this team in [the playoffs]. The direction, all that stuff, that’s for another conversation with Jim and Patrik. We go way back, so we’ll have those conversations. Right now, I’m thinking about how you beat Seattle. I really am.”
“I know people don’t believe it. It’s the truth.”
It’s still mathematically possible for the Canucks to make the playoffs. They are six points back of the streaking St. Louis Blues with one game in hand. Tocchet has repeatedly said he wants to wait until after this playoff chase is done to fully negotiate, and so if you take him at his word, more news should be coming once the regular season finishes.
The Canucks have never wavered in their desire to bring Tocchet back as their coach of the future. Patrik Allvin said so at his midseason press conference, and there has been no reporting suggesting that’s changed.
Since taking over the Canucks job, Tocchet has a 104-62-26 record. He won the Jack Adams Award last season as the league’s best coach and has helped the team navigate around plenty of obstacles this year.
The Canucks will need to convince Tocchet the team is heading in the right direction and they have the personnel to be a contender in the next few years.
“This is a great city. I walk around this city, it’s a phenomenal city, the fans are great,” said Tocchet. “I’ll just say that, it’s a great city, but there are some things that we’ll talk about down the road, it’s not the right time right now.”
The Canucks have eight games left this season. If they can’t make up the deficit to make the playoffs, expect Tocchet contract negotiations to become the dominant storyline until it’s resolved.