Jim Rutherford Facing Heavy Criticism After Rick Tocchet's Latest Coaching Decision

Earlier today, Daily Faceoff's Frank Seravalli reported to 'Halford and Brough' on Sportsnet 650 that he is certain Tocchet has already met with the Seattle Kraken.

The report comes on the heels of Canucks president Jim Rutherford previously suggesting that Tocchet was poised to only take an opportunity on the East Coast.

The Canucks themselves recently announced that Tocchet would not return for the 2025-26 season, following a disappointing and tumultuous year.

His departure immediately sparked rumors of where he would go next, given his championship pedigree and coaching experience.

If Tocchet joins a Western Conference team, things could get ugly in Vancouver

Dhaliwal was particularly excited about the possibility of Tocchet heading to a Pacific Division rival, calling such a move a stinging rebuke to Canucks fans. Taj on social media X couldn't agree more, calling the situation a comedy.

'It's not good. If he ends up in Seattle, my goodness, in your own division - that's like trading Thatcher Demko in your division. You don't do that. You don't let a coach walk from your organization into another team that's in your division. The optics of him ending up in Seattle would be atrocious to the Canucks.'

- Rick Dhaliwal

Seattle's head coaching position became available after the Kraken let Dan Bylsma go, who lasted only one year and failed to advance the team to the playoffs for the second year in a row.

In addition to Seattle, several other NHL teams are searching for new head coaches, including the Anaheim Ducks, Chicago Blackhawks, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Philadelphia Flyers.