NHL Rumors: Rick Tocchet is a Wanted Man

As you can see, Tocchet has options. It just depends on how he views the team and where he thinks he can be successful.

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Philadelphia Flyers

The most obvious choice from the start has been the Flyers. Once John Tortorella was fired at the end of the season, the connection was made right away that Tocchet would be the next head coach of the Flyers. It just made too much sense. The Flyers wanted him in the past, similar to how the Rangers wanted Sullivan. But the connection was there as Tocchet played for the Flyers in the past.

Full Press Hockey reported in April that Tocchet’s most likely destination was Philadelphia once Vancouver announced that he would not return to coach.

As Friedman said on NHL Network, “I had someone call me and say, what did you think at the beginning of this search? And I said, Philadelphia, if he wasn’t inVancouver, it was going to be Philadelphia. And the guy said to me, never back down on your instincts until it can’t happen. So that was his way of saying to me, he thinks that until Philadelphia’s job is full, if it’s not Rick Tocchet always leave open that possibility. So I’m going with that. I think he’s got a long relationship with the people at the top of the Philadelphia food chain, and if they can reach a deal, I think most people suspect that’s the most likely outcome. So until Philadelphia goes in a different direction, that’s my pick. I could be wrong, but that’s where I’m going.” 

Again, it just makes too much sense for it not to happen. When multiple people are linking Tocchet to the Flyers, there is something there. It will come down to money and if Tocchet wants to be there.

Seattle Kraken

The Seattle Kraken fired Dan Bylsma after one season, as management believed they were a playoff team, even though they were not, as Full Press Hockey stated before the season started. Ron Francis was promoted from General Manager to President, and former Buffalo Sabres GM Jason Botterill, the assistant GM in Seattle, takes over GM duties from Francis.

As Friedman reported, he has heard Seattle talk to him. However, there are mixed reports about whether he turned down the job. Either way, the Kraken have an interest in Tocchet. It would be ironic if Tocchet stayed in the same division and went south of Vancouver to Seattle. However, that roster isn’t ready to win and needs massive work.

Boston Bruins

The Boston Bruins are interested in Rick Tocchet as GM Don Sweeney believes his team can return to the playoffs after a dismal year next season. However, it will come down to money. This is similar to what happened with the New Jersey Devils and their coaching search. They settled on Lindy Ruff because ownership did not want to pay for a high-priced coach.

As Friedman reported, “he’s definitely talked to Boston, and he’s in the mix there. The one thing is, though, is that, the offer he turned down in Vancouver was around $4 million plus. Boston generally doesn’t like that. Their offer to Jim Montgomery wasn’t that high. So my curiosity is, if Boston is going to pay to him what he feels his market value is.”

Remember, the Bruins were looking to get rid of Jim Montgomery going back to the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Montgomery was hired right away by the St. Louis Blues after being let go by the Bruins. Montgomery did not want to sign an extension to stay in Boston. He felt he was undervalued and underappreciated there. The belief was that he also wanted job security, and management did not want to go long-term on his extension.

So while the Bruins make sense and he fits the Bruins mould, Boston might be waiting for someone else who is in the playoffs, like a Marc Savard type, or they could be looking at Marco Sturm.

Rick Tocchet will get a job if he wants one. Right now, until that domino falls, the rest of the teams, such as the Pittsburgh Penguins, Chicago Blackhawks, Bruins, and Kraken, wait.

But it seems Rick Tocchet is Philadelphia or Bust when it comes to coaching again next season.