The Chicago Blackhawks' are currently searching the market for their next head coach as the team looks to enter a new era.
Vegas Golden Knights v Vancouver Canucks | Derek Cain/GettyImages
After top coaching candidate David Carle withdrew his name from consideration, many have wondered which of the available coaches will be atop the Blackhawks' list, and another name has just entered the market.
The Vancouver Canucks announced that their head coach, Rick Tocchet, has decided not to return to his role with the Canucks, therefore confirming recent speculations about his future with the team.
With many teams around the league currently with a vacancy at head coach, Tocchet is likely to be receiving an influx of calls from interested parties. The veteran of over 1,100 NHL games has been working behind the bench dating back to the 2002-03 season, where he began as an assistant on the Colorado Avalanche.
Over the past two decades, Tocchet had bounced between an assistant and head coach for many different teams. His last stint as an assistant came during the 2016-17 season with the Pittsburgh Penguins where he spent three seasons, two of which resulted in back-to-back Stanley Cup victories.
Tocchet has been a head coach for three different teams in his coaching career, the Tampa Bay Lightning, Arizona Coyotes, and most recently the Vancouver Canucks. His tenure in Vancouver saw some highs and lows, the 2023-24 season saw Tocchet's Canucks win 50 games finishing first-place in the Pacific division before losing in the second round of the playoffs to the Edmonton Oilers.
This season saw the Canucks in the media a lot due to off-ice issues with the team that evidently effected the team's performance as well. Rumors of rifts between players in the locker room proved to be a distraction for the team and the first offseason change is Tocchet's departure.
With the Chicago Blackhawks currently in the market for the team's next head coach, Tocchet brings experience as both a player and coach that could prove valuable to the young players making their way into the NHL.
Tocchet is much more of a no-nonsense coach than the recent bench bosses in Chicago and will hold players accountable when needed.
The 2023-24 season in Vancouver saw him coach a team that was difficult to play against which resulted in many players having career seasons.
The Blackhawks need someone behind the bench who can help to establish a culture and Tocchet brings the ability to do just that.
This past season saw Tocchet serve as an assistant on Team Canada at the Four Nations Tournament as well which proves his status around the NHL as a respected coach. His experience is valuable to a team that has so little of it and would be a presence that could be very beneficial toward developing these players into established NHL'ers.
