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Connor Garland's comments about Rick Tocchet proves the Vancouver Canucks made a major mistake letting him go
Photo credit: Canucks Daily
Vancouver Canucks forward Conor Garland had a lot of amazing things to say about former head coach Rick Tocchet, and by his comments, the organization made a major mistake in letting him go, even if it was ultimately his decision to walk.
After months of speculation if whether head coach Rick Tocchet was going to return as the Vancouver Canucks leader behind the bench for the 2025-2026 NHL season, fans finally got their answer when it was announced on Tuesday that he would be walking away from the team.
It is clear that even Captain Quinn Hughes was disappointing with the organization in the outcome as they failed to handle the drama and issues of this season properly, which untimely led to the departure of a head coach players love to play for.
Conor Garland's recent comments about Rick Tocchet show the Vancouver Canucks really messed
It is a hard a rare commodity int he NHL these days to find a head coach that all the players rally behind and buy into with the way the Canucks players did for Rick Tocchet
«Whether he wins another 10 more Jack Adams or doesn't win another game, those guys'll go through a wall for him, he's that type of coach, and any team will be lucky to have him.» - Garland
That fact that despite of the money, as their offer to him would have made him one of, if not the highest paid coach in the NHL, speaks volumes about how the Canucks are run as an organization, that there wasn't enough money to make him stay...
In a recent interview with Canucks fan favorite Conor Garland, he spoke about what Rick Tocchet meant to him as a coach, even stating that he like a father figure to him and that any club in the NHL that lands will be more than lucky.
"Any team will be lucky to have him."
Conor Garland talks about the departure of Rick Tocchet.
Conor Garland talks about the departure of Rick Tocchet.
His heartfelt sentiments to what Tocchet had done for him on a personal and career level indicates that Tocchet was more than a coach, but a mentor and friend to his players.
«I had Rick as a rookie in Arizona, missed him for a year, and then he came back and joined me in Vancouver again at a different stage in my life and career,» Garland told NHL Network on Wednesday. «I was very fortunate to have him. I was a young player, I really didn't understand the details of the game and what it took to win. I was more just relying on scoring and producing points, and he taught me the other side of the game and really filled out the rest of my game, and I'll be forever grateful for that.» - Garland
The fact that they could not get him to return next season is a major mistake and glaring flaw on owner Francesco Aquilini, President Jim Rutherford, GM Patrik Allvin and the rest of the staff that manages the team.
Previously on Vancouver Hockey Daily
| POLL | ||
MAI 1 | 1278 ANSWERS Connor Garland's comments about Rick Tocchet proves the Vancouver Canucks made a major mistake letting him go Do you think the Vancouver Canucks made a major mistake letting go of Rick Tocchet as the head coach? | ||
| Yes | 944 | 73.9 % |
| No | 334 | 26.1 % |
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