Rick Tocchet opens up on why he is holding out on signing a contract extension with the Vancouver Canucks
Photo credit: NHL.com
Canucks president Jim Rutherford told reporters last week that the team would not be exercising the option on Rick Tocchet's contract, opting instead to negotiate a new deal to keep him in Vancouver.
A lack of a proper practice facility is bothering Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet amid contract talks.
Tyler Kuehl from the Canucks Army writes that on the latest episode of the 32 Thoughts podcast, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported that the Canucks and Rick Tocchet met on Friday, but as of Sunday night, no decision had been finalized.
According to Friedman, one of Tocchet's concerns about remaining with the Canucks is the team's lack of a dedicated practice facility, as Vancouver is the only NHL club without its own practice rink.
«I think if you're the one team that doesn't have one and the nights where your main rink is not available, and you kind of have to go into a public rink. It's a little bit different. I could see why that would drive a coach crazy.» -Friedman
Friedman pointed out that purchasing land in the greater Vancouver area isn't cheap, which complicates efforts to build a practice facility.
If you follow real estatein Vancouver, it's not inexpensive. That is clearly, even though Rutherford had some pretty hilarious comments about what he would do to try to get it done, it's obvious that it's a bit of a thing.» -Friedman
Jim Rutherford explained that the team has specific requirements for building its own facility. They've already had discussions with a few venues but nothing has materialized yet, and while talks about a practice facility have been ongoing for decades, Rutherford warned it could still be a while before an agreement is reached.
Kuehl also writes that all of this comes at a time when the PWHL announced its expansion to Vancouver, with the new team set to begin play next season.
As part of its agreement with PNE, the team will play at the renovated Pacific Coliseum, and the nearby Agrodome will receive major upgrades to serve as their dedicated practice facility, a luxury the Canucks will continue to go without for the foreseeable future.
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AVRIL 28 | 1037 ANSWERS Rick Tocchet opens up on why he is holding out on signing a contract extension with the Vancouver Canucks Do you think Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet will sign an extension with Vancouver? | ||
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