The Vancouver Canucks are fighting for their playoff lives as the end of the regular season approaches, and after a campaign filled with drama from earlier in the season, it seems like they are already shifting their focus past the 2024-25 season. At the time of this article, the Canucks are eight points out of the final wild card playoff spot in the Western Conference with just seven games left.
After making it to the second round last season, it looks like they will miss the postseason and have to try and bounce back in the 2025-26 season. According to a recent report from Elliotte Friedman, the Canucks want Rick Tocchet to be behind their bench as they try to retool their roster.
Tocchet, who is 60 years old, is finishing up his third season as the head coach of the Canucks after joining them midway through the 2022-23 season. This season, he has a 34-28-13 record behind the bench, and during his entire time with the Canucks, he has a 104-63-26 record. He has spent 631 games behind the bench as an NHL head coach, posting a 282-263-86 record. There are some rumblings that Tocchet is considering other options, especially after the Philadelphia Flyers fired John Tortorella recently.
Friedman mentions that the Canucks want to bring Tocchet back regardless of if they exercise their team option on his contract or with an extension, making it clear they want no one else as their bench boss. Fans are split down the middle on what the Canucks need to change to become competitive again, but the Elias Pettersson-J.T. Miller drama from earlier in the season didn’t make things any easier, and it seems as though management doesn’t blame their coach for the issues on the ice.
What Other Coaches Could Be Options if Tocchet Leaves?
Tocchet leaving seems like a legitimate possibility and one that the Canucks need to consider. If he decides he wants to explore other opportuinities, they will need to find a new bench boss, and there are some good options. Tortorella, the most recent firing, has been praised for his ability to build a new team culture and bring a dressing room together off the ice, but it seems unlikely he takes a new position anytime soon.
Another solid option would be former Edmonton Oilers’ head coach Jay Woodcroft, who was loved in Edmonton before he was relieved of his duties following a slow start, and was replaced by Kris Knoblauch. Other than the slow start that led to his firing, he was successful in helping the Oilers find confidence and was praised for his system work behind the bench.
There is always the option of bring back fan favourite Bruce Boudreau, but the relationship between him and the Canucks is likely over with no chance of fixing that. Gerard Gallant is a smart coach with tons of experience behind the bench, and he could be someone they consider. Drew Bannister is another option, and he might be lined up for another position after being fired by the St. Louis Blues after an extremely short stint, and replaced by Jim Montgomery. There will be several options available to them if Tocchet chooses to leave, but it’s very clear they don’t want to search externally for next season.
As the 2024-25 season moves along, be sure to continue following The Hockey Writers as your source for news from around the NHL and the hockey world.
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