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Three Unexpected Teams Have Serious Interest in Rick Tocchet

Originally posted on Hockey Latest | By Jack Sutherland | Last updated May 8, 2025 7:23 PM ET

After departing the Vancouver Canucks, head coach Rick Tocchet is being courted by no less than 3 interested NHL clubs who want him to fill their coaching vacancy.

The Vancouver Canucks are now one of several NHL clubs with a head coaching vacancy following the surprising departure of Rick Tocchet, who had been on the job since January 2023.

Tocchet led the Canucks to the Pacific Division crown in 2023-24 and within a single win of an appearance in the Western Conference Final, but they failed to build on that and missed the postseason this year.

In the meantime, there are a handful of other NHL destinations who are reportedly interested in hiring Tocchet to fill their coaching vacancy.

Per BC Lions commentator Bob Marjanovich, the Boston Bruins, Philadelphia Flyers, and Seattle Kraken have 'serious' interest in hiring Tocchet.

Immediately, Vancouver Sun reporter Ben Kuzma suggested that Seattle could be the frontrunner.

Kraken Could Look To Land Tocchet From Rival Canucks

With Seattle in the mix, Kuzma believes that Tocchet could be a finalist once again as he was before the team hired their previous head coach Dave Hakstol.

Don't sleep on Seattle. Tocchet was interviewed to run expansion bench before Dave Hakstol got the gig. Kraken GM Jason Botterill was in Penguins management when Tocchet served as assistant to Mike Sullivan. Tocchet and Seattle team president Ron Francis were teammates in Pitt.

Tocchet, who has also been head coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning and Arizona Coyotes, has a career record of 286-265-87.

The Flyers, whom Tocchet played for during his NHL career, parted ways with John Tortorella with only a few games remaining in the season.

Meanwhile, the Kraken terminated Dan Bylsma after only a single year on the job. The Bruins, who fired Jim Montgomery in November and named assistant Joe Sacco his interim replacement, could also prove intriguing for Tocchet.

This article first appeared on Hockey Latest and was syndicated with permission.

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