Yardbarker
x
Chicago Blackhawks lose out on another elite coaching candidate
NHL: Vancouver Canucks at Winnipeg Jets Mar 30, 2025; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Vancouver Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet gestures during a game against the Winnipeg Jets in the third period at Canada Life Centre. Mandatory Credit: James Carey Lauder-Imagn Images

The Chicago Blackhawks head coaching vacancy has plenty of positives to it, but the front office has taken their time so far this offseason in their search for the right guy. David Carle was Chicago’s top candidate for quite some time, before he withdrew his name from the running for the position at the end of April. The young guru decided to return to Denver University on a multi-year deal where he has been the top college coaching in the country for the past few years.

Mike Sullivan was snagged by the Rangers, as the fellow Original Six franchise made the former Pittsburgh Penguins bench boss the highest paid head coach in NHL history. The third coaching vacancy filled this offseason was taken by Blackhawks’ legendary head coach, Joel Quenneville, who was reinstated by the league last summer.

Another team is on the verge of hiring a new head coach as early as Wednesday, and it would take another excellent option for the Blackhawks off the board.

Chicago Blackhawks lose out on Rick Tocchet


NHL: Vancouver Canucks at Winnipeg Jets Mar 30, 2025; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Vancouver Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet gestures during a game against the Winnipeg Jets in the third period at Canada Life Centre. Mandatory Credit: James Carey Lauder-Imagn Images

Per reports, the Philadelphia Flyers are closing in on hiring Rick Tocchet as their next head coach. The 61-year-old spent the last three seasons with the Vancouver Canucks and won the Jack Adams Award as the NHL’s best head coach a season ago. Tocchet finished his tenure in Vancouver with a 108-65-27 record in 200 games coaches.

Philadelphia will be the fourth franchise that Tocchet has served as the head coach for, and many believed he would be their guy all along as he played the first eight seasons of his NHL career with the Flyers. It’s back to the drawing board for the Blackhawks in their search, as their options continue to dwindle in what is a huge offseason for the organization.


NHL: Colorado Avalanche at Vancouver Canucks Feb 4, 2025; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks forward Pius Suter (24) and forward Dakota Joshua (81) and forward Kiefer Sherwood (44) and Vancouver Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet and assistant coach Adam Foote on the bench in the first period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images

This article first appeared on ChiCitySports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads:

Customize Your Newsletter

Yardbarker +

Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!