The Vancouver Canucks are about to begin a key search for their next Head Coach, and according to Jim Rutherford, a former Rangers coach could be in play.
After two and a half years of Rick Tocchet at the helm, the Vancouver Canucks and the Head Coach recently parted ways, despite the organization reported offering him a very generous contract.
Now, they're one of eight teams in the NHL that are looking for a new Head Coach, and now, it appears one of the other coaches that made way for a vacancy could be an option for Vancouver.
Earlier today, sources indicated assistant coach Manny Malhotra is one to watch.
Now this evening a new candidate has been brought to the table by President of Hockey Operations Jim Rutherford himself.
Jim Rutherford Reveals One Major Candidate To Replace Rick Tocchet
According to Canucks President of Hockey Operations Jim Rutherford, former New York Rangers bench boss Peter Laviolette is a name to watch, despite the disaster that New York were this past season.
When asked about the possibility of hiring Laviolette, Rutherford kept his response short and simple:
«it's a good name»
This certainly doesn't mean that Laviolette is the only name that they'll talk too or even that he's the favourite for the role at this point in time, but with so many teams looking for a new role, it's safe to say that their current situation may not be the most attractive in the league, meaning they may not get the biggest or the best name.
While Laviolette is certainly a big name veteran some Canucks fans are hoping the team doesn't go this way.
During a disastrous 2024/25 season, Laviolette posted a 39-37-6 record in what was his sixth Head Coaching stint in the NHL, and with almost 1,600 games behind the bench in the NHL, there's definitely worse options.
For now however, it's been just 24 hours since the team announced the departure of Tocchet, so the search for a new coach could certainly take some time, but if Laviolette is involved in talks, don't be surprised to see him be considered a finalist for the role in Vancouver.
