If the Vancouver Canucks decide to make a coaching change, president of hockey operations Jim Rutherford and general manager Patrik Allvin could turn to a familiar face.
Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman said on The Jeff Marek Show on Thursday that the Canucks have had talks with Rick Tocchet, who was an assistant coach with the Pittsburgh Penguins when Rutherford and Allvin were in that club's front office.
“I think that Vancouver and Rick Tocchet had some discussions a while ago. They didn’t go anywhere. I think Vancouver talked to a few potential coaches who were available and I think they re-engaged with Tocchet," Friedman said
"The best way I can put it right now is I think it’s in the Canucks’ hands. Do they want to do it or not? I don’t think it’s imminent. I think if they make a change, it's still probably a couple of weeks away."
Canucks head coach Bruce Boudreau's status has been a hot topic throughout the year after the club didn't offer him an extension in the off-season. The Canucks (17-20-3) are 10 points out of a playoff spot.
Tocchet, 58, was an assistant under Mike Sullivan when the Penguins won back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2016 and '17.
"When you’re making a big hire, if you know someone does it give them an edge? Yeah, I think it does," Friedman said. "People might not like to hear that but it does. If they go this route, I would think familiarity would be the biggest reason."
The Toronto-born Tocchet was hired as head coach of the Arizona Coyotes after the Penguins won their second Cup in a row. The Coyotes made the playoffs once in four seasons under Tocchet before the club and coach mutually agreed to part ways.
From 2008-10, Tocchet was interim head coach and then head coach for the Tampa Bay Lightning after the club fired Barry Melrose. The Lightning missed the playoffs in both years with Tocchet behind the bench.
Boudreau replaced Travis Green as head coach of the Canucks midway through last season, with Rutherford joining the organization around the same time.
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