The rumour mill keeps churning and things are beginning to pick up steam. When you think of the Vancouver Canucks you think about the potential players that have been rumoured such as Bo Horvat and Brock Boeser. In this case, the rumour surrounding them comes from behind the bench regarding head coach Rich Tocchet.
Rich Tocchet Could Become Next Vancouver Head Coach
Rumour: According to Insider Trading with TSN, negotiations are ongoing to make Rich Tocchet the next coach of the Vancouver Canucks.
INSIDER TRADING: #TSNHockey Insiders discuss…
– Tocchet & #Canucks in negotiations
– #MNWild D Matt Dumba a healthy scratch
– Muzzin’s status important for Leafs’ deadline plans
– Kane chooses not to wear cut-resistant sleevesWATCH 🌍: https://t.co/xB9YrJlbn0 pic.twitter.com/p26iyfQOe4
— TSN Hockey (@TSNHockey) January 19, 2023
The Vancouver Canucks are in negotiations to make Rich Tocchet the next head coach. It’s bizarre considering that Bruce Boudreau is still behind the bench. According to TSN, this is a transaction that could happen in the coming days and that comes along with him having his own staff. This is a team searching for answers and a new voice can help right the ship.
Is Tocchet The Answer?
Rich Tocchet is no stranger to being a head coach. In total, he has coached for six seasons (two years with the Tampa Bay Lightning, and four years with the Arizona Coyotes). Arizona has been where he’s done his most recent coaching from 2017-2021. Throughout his coaching career, he has piled up a record of 178-200-60. His best season came with Arizona in 2018-19.
Tocchet also comes from a winning pedigree. He had a stint with the Pittsburgh Penguins and was the assistant coach on two Stanley Cup-winning teams and has won the cup as a player in 1992. His rough and rugged style of play could work well for a team searching for an identity.
Is The Change Necessary?
The change for a head coach could be what this team needs. Jim Rutherford has already said they will not rebuild, but retool. There is a lot to be desired with this club. The future surrounding Bo Horvat remains uncertain, but there are pieces to want to coach. Vancouver has a young core of Elias Pettersson, Quinn Hughes, and Thatcher Demko. Pair that with a veteran in J.T. Miller and there is something to work with. After a promising second-half finish once Boudreau took over, this season has had undesirable results. The Canucks currently have 39 points and are well behind the second wild card spot in a competitive Pacific Division. If the team will not tear it down, a new voice behind the bench is a place to begin.
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