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Elliott Friedman Has Strong Predication About Rick Tocchet's Future as Head of the Vancouver Canucks
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An NHL insider doesn't believe that Rick Tocchet's contract status will become a distraction for the head coach as we inch closer to the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
The Vancouver Canucks are currently focused on their goal of making it back to the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the second consecutive year, but there's been some attention recently on the contract status of head coach Rick Tocchet.
Rick Tocchet has a team option for 2025-26 on his contract with the Canucks, so it's going to be up to Patrik Allvin and Jim Rutherford if they decide to keep him around, however one insider doesn't believe it'll be much of a distraction for the three-time Stanley Cup champion.
Elliotte Friedman doesn't think contract status will be distraction for Rick Tocchet
During an appearance on Donnie & Dhali on Monday, Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman was asked about Rick Tocchet's contract status heading into the off-season and he doesn't think it'll be a distraction for the head coach.
"I can tell you this Rick, I really believe this very strongly, I don't think Rick Tocchet is going to allow that to be a story. I think if you look at Rick Tocchet, he's demanding a lot out of himself, he's demanding a lot out of his coaching staff and he's demanding a lot out of his players." Friedman said.
He went on to add, "He will not allow any of his players to think that the story is anything but the playoff chase. He's not going to pour gasoline on that coaching fire. Like that's what we do in our business. We talk about that stuff, we wonder what this stuff means. But I believe Rick Tocchet will not allow that to be a focus of conversation from him. Whatever happens, he'll deal with it after the season. Right now, all he's thinking about is getting the Canucks into the playoffs and he's not interested in any conversation about what his future is going to be."
He went on to add, "He will not allow any of his players to think that the story is anything but the playoff chase. He's not going to pour gasoline on that coaching fire. Like that's what we do in our business. We talk about that stuff, we wonder what this stuff means. But I believe Rick Tocchet will not allow that to be a focus of conversation from him. Whatever happens, he'll deal with it after the season. Right now, all he's thinking about is getting the Canucks into the playoffs and he's not interested in any conversation about what his future is going to be."
Just before training camp began back in September, Vancouver Canucks General Manager Patrik Allvin was asked if a contract extension was in the cards for Rick Tocchet, and he said that he's got the club option for 2025-26 and when the time is right for both sides, they'll sit down and talk.
"We have a club option for next year. I think with the relationship we have (with Tocchet) and the trust we have and the communication, I think when the time is right for both of us, and then obviously the ownership, we'll look into that." Allvin said.
Tocchet, 60, joined the Vancouver Canucks in January 2023 as the replacement for Bruce Boudreau and in 185 games behind the bench thus far, he's led the team to a 101-60-24 record.
We'll have to wait and see what the future holds for Rick Tocchet in Vancouver, but it wouldn't be a shock if it'll be tied to how the Canucks finish the 2024-25 campaign, if they get into the Stanley Cup Playoffs and go on a deep run.
Previously on Vancouver Hockey Daily
| POLL | ||
MARS 17 | 628 ANSWERS Elliott Friedman Has Strong Predication About Rick Tocchet's Future as Head of the Vancouver Canucks Should the Vancouver Canucks exercise the option in Rick Tocchet's contract to keep him around for the 2025-26 season? | ||
| Yes | 414 | 65.9 % |
| No | 113 | 18 % |
| Depends how the rest of the season goes | 101 | 16.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
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