Philadelphia Flyers Want Rick Tocchet
Could the Flyers Land Free Agent Coach Rick Tocchet?
The coaching carousel continues to spin in the NHL. The Anaheim Ducks have hired Joel Quenneville, and the New York Rangers have hired Mike Sullivan. There are several openings, with Rick Tocchet being the biggest name on the market.
The current TNT as a panelist, decided not to return to coach the Vancouver Canucks after President of Hockey Operations Jim Rutherford and General Manager Patrik Allivan told the media after the season was over the team was not picking his option. Both men hoped to get a long-term extension with Tocchet as talks progressed.
However, Tocchet decided there was too much drama and turmoil in Vancouver. There was drama last season between Elias Pettersson and J.T. Miller, but the team was able to find success. Unfortunately, this season, the turmoil hit a boiling point as Miller got traded, and the Canucks missed the playoffs. Many wondered what Rick Tocchet's future would be.
Once he became a free agent, the list of suitors and teams looking for his services was a mile long. However, the most likely destination for Tocchet was in Philadelphia, coaching the Flyers, the team he used to play for.
The Flyers have been looking for a coach ever since they fired John Tortorella right before the end of the season. The connection was made right away that Tocchet would be the next head coach of the Flyers. It just made too much sense. The Flyers wanted him in the past, similar to how the Rangers wanted Sullivan.
Full Press Hockey reported in April that Tocchet's most likely destination was Philadelphia once Vancouver announced that he would not return to coach.
Rick Tocchet see you in Philadelphia bud.
It makes sense. Let’s see if it happens. #letsgoflyers https://t.co/O33YZK05zV
— Jim Biringer (@JimBiringer) April 29, 2025
It is beginning to look like the Tocchet and the Flyers will become a thing. Again, these things can change quickly, but the gut feeling from the start was Tocchet and the Flyers.
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As Elliotte Friedman said on NHL Network, he is going with his gut instinct and until it does not happen, Tocchet is the guy in Philadelphia.
I had someone call me and say, what did you think at the beginning of this search? And I said, Philadelphia, if he wasn't inVancouver, it was going to be Philadelphia. And the guy said to me, never back down on your instincts until it can't happen. So that was his way of saying to me, he thinks that until Philadelphia's job is full, if it's not Rick Tocchet always leave open that possibility. So I'm going with that. I think he's got a long relationship with the people at the top of the Philadelphia food chain, and if they can reach a deal, I think most people suspect that's the most likely outcome. So until Philadelphia goes in a different direction, that's my pick. I could be wrong, but that's where I'm going.
Again, it just makes too much sense for it not to happen. When multiple people are linking Tocchet to the Flyers, there is something there. It will come down to money and if Tocchet wants to be there.
Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reported that Rick Tocchet was conducting interviews with clubs interested in him. The caveat is that he interviews the teams to determine the right fit. He has interviewed the Boston Bruins, Seattle Kraken, and the Philadelphia Flyers.
Strong indications this week Rick Tocchet will soon land another NHL head coaching job. Philly, Boston, Seattle believed to be among the top contenders. The Flyers want to be aggressive. Good fit.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) May 13, 2025
As you can see, Tocchet has options. It just depends on how he views the team and where he thinks he can be successful.
There are teams like the Kraken and Bruins. However, the Kraken’s roster needs work, and questions remain about their management staff. Tocchet interviewed there, and there were mixed messages about whether or not he had turned down the job.
Up in Boston, do the Bruins want to pay him over $4 million on a long-term deal? There is a reason why Jim Montgomery is no longer in Boston and is coaching in St. Louis now.
So while the Bruins make sense and he fits the Bruins mould, Boston might be waiting for someone else who is in the playoffs, like a Marc Savard type, or they could be looking at Marco Sturm.
Rick Tocchet will get a job if he wants one. Until that domino falls, the rest of the teams will have to wait.
But it seems Rick Tocchet is Philadelphia or Bust when it comes to coaching again next season.
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