Rick Tocchet has officially become a contender for the New York Rangers head coaching job after parting ways with the Vancouver Canucks. Declining a lucrative multi-year extension from Vancouver, Tocchet becomes one of the more appealing free agents amid multiple NHL coaching vacancies.
In a statement released Tuesday, Tocchet said, “I’m choosing to move on from the Vancouver Canucks. Family is a priority, and with my contract lapsing, this becomes the opportune time. While I don’t know where I’m headed, or exactly how this will play out for me over the near term, I feel like this is the right time for me to explore other opportunities in and around hockey.”
His exit comes after a challenging season that saw Vancouver miss the playoffs, despite Tocchet guiding the team to an impressive 50 wins and 109 points and earning the 2023–24 Jack Adams Award as NHL coach of the year. The season was marred by internal turmoil, key player injuries, and what Tocchet reportedly viewed as inadequate practice facilities.
The Canucks, who declined to pick up his contract option but offered a new deal, expressed disappointment at Tocchet’s departure. Team president Jim Rutherford said, “We did everything in our power to keep him, but Rick felt he needed a change.”
Tocchet’s strong résumé includes previous coaching stints with the Lightning and Coyotes, and an overall NHL coaching record of 286-265-87. He was also an assistant to Mike Sullivan during the Pittsburgh Penguins’ back-to-back Stanley Cup wins in 2016 and 2017.
Although Mike Sullivan — recently parted from the Penguins — remains the frontrunner for the Rangers’ job, Tocchet is expected to get serious consideration. However, some speculate Tocchet may be more interested in potential openings with teams he has stronger ties to, such as the Philadelphia Flyers or Penguins.
Would you like a quick comparison between Tocchet and Sullivan as coaching candidates?
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