Ex-Canucks Coach Rick Tocchet Officially Takes New Job in the NHL

The Vancouver Canucks are currently evaluating their options after Rick Tocchet left the organization last Tuesday, with General Manager Patrik Allvin saying earlier this week that he was disappointed with the decision.

Rick Tocchet will have plenty of opportunities to get back behind the bench as early as next season, with some reports suggesting he's already talked to a couple of teams, but for now, it looks like he's heading back to television, temporarily.

In a post on social media on Wednesday, NHL on TNT announced that Rick Tocchet will be returning to the panel for Stanley Cup Playoff games this weekend.

Tocchet will be back at the desk for Friday's Game 3 between the Florida Panthers & Toronto Maple Leafs and Game 2 between the Winnipeg Jets and Dallas Stars.

The former Vancouver Canucks bench boss will also be on the panel on Saturday for a pair of Game 3s - Washington Capitals vs Carolina Hurricanes and Vegas Golden Knights vs Edmonton Oilers.

NHL on TNT also announced that recently retired forward Pat Maroon will join them for Sunday's broadcasts of the Dallas Stars vs Winnipeg Jets and Florida Panthers vs Toronto Maple Leafs games.

Tocchet, 61, was announced as part of TNT's panel back in 2021 when the network, along with ESPN, won the American rights to broadcast National Hockey League games.

The Scarborough, Ontario native spent a little over 16 months with NHL on TNT before he was hired by the Vancouver Canucks in January 2023 to become their 21st head coach in franchise history.

With Rick Tocchet back on the panel with TNT on Friday and Saturday, it's going to be great not only to hear his insight on the four games being broadcasted, but also if he has any interesting stories to share from his time with the Vancouver Canucks.