VANCOUVER – As April arrives in the National Hockey League, and top teams gear up for the playoffs and a Stanley Cup bid, Vancouver Canucks coach Rick Tocchet addressed questions on Tuesday about whether injured centers Elias Pettersson and Filip Chytil will return this season, and the implications of the team`s final eight games for the upcoming year.
Unsurprisingly, Tocchet was also questioned about his contract, a topic reignited by Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman`s report. The report suggested the Canucks intend to honor the option year in Tocchet`s contract, even if he doesn`t agree to a contract extension in Vancouver.
April 1st served as a stark reminder that the Canucks` season has been akin to an April Fools` joke, albeit one where only fate seems to be laughing.
A team that began the season in October with aspirations for the Stanley Cup now faces a monumental challenge to overcome a six-point gap to secure the last playoff spot in the Western Conference.
Indeed, there`s little to find amusing in the current situation.
“It`s been a significant downturn,” Tocchet admitted, reflecting on the sharp decline from last season’s 109-point high and second-round playoff appearance. “But you gain insights about yourself as a coach, and about the players. We learn as a team, right? We all need to reflect on ourselves and consider how to improve. There will be time later to discuss: ‘What could I have done differently?’ But right now, my focus is solely on Seattle. We’ll address everything else later.”
The Seattle Kraken, among the non-playoff teams that have defeated the Canucks in recent weeks, are set to play at Rogers Arena on Wednesday, marking the start of a crucial three-game home series that Vancouver must win decisively. With only eight games remaining, the Canucks, holding a 34-17-13 record, likely need at least seven victories – and even then, 95 points may not guarantee a playoff berth.
Speculation about Tocchet’s future has intensified since the Philadelphia Flyers, his former team as a player, dismissed coach John Tortorella the previous week.
Tocchet had mentioned in March that he would postpone discussions about his future with general manager Patrik Allvin and president of hockey operations Jim Rutherford until the end of the season.
“It’s a private matter,” the coach restated on Tuesday. “I’m trying to be as transparent as possible. Honestly, my focus is on getting this team into the playoffs. Discussions about direction and other matters will happen later with Jim and Patrik. We have a long history together, so we’ll have those conversations. But for now, I’m focused on strategizing to beat Seattle. People may doubt it, but that’s the truth.”
“This city is fantastic. Walking around, it’s clear it’s a phenomenal city, and the fans are incredible. So, yes, it’s a great city. But there are things we’ll discuss in the future, and now isn’t the right time.”
When the time is right, the dialogue between Tocchet and management will likely center more on the team`s direction and Allvin and Rutherford’s plans for roster adjustments following a season derailed by numerous challenges (like the J.T. Miller trade), rather than solely on financial terms.
Despite any affection Tocchet may hold for Philadelphia and the Flyers, he is a seasoned 60-year-old coach driven by the desire to win. He has already undertaken a significant rebuilding effort with the Arizona Coyotes, where he aimed to develop talents like Clayton Keller and Jakob Chychrun after joining in 2017. Tocchet found this challenge rewarding enough to voluntarily step away after four years, taking a year and a half away from coaching, rejecting several offers, before Rutherford and Allvin persuaded him to lead the Canucks.
Tocchet`s future might involve Philadelphia, or it might not. However, Canucks management holds considerable leverage with the option year in his contract for the next season. This clause not only prevents him from coaching elsewhere without the Canucks` permission but also restricts him from engaging in talks with other teams.
Tocchet’s upcoming crucial conversations will be with his current team — not just with Allvin, Rutherford, and owner Francesco Aquilini, but also with Canucks players, including the often-enigmatic Pettersson.
With 15 goals and 45 points in 65 games during the first season of his eight-year, $92.8 million contract, Pettersson represents a significant organizational issue that needs resolution, especially before his no-movement clause becomes active on July 1.
While management is eager to secure Tocchet with a multi-year extension, the head coach himself needs to evaluate his contribution to this season`s outcomes.
“When a team shows inconsistency and seems to lose focus, sometimes you have to examine the coach,” Tocchet mentioned last week in New York. “I take that seriously. I will reflect on certain aspects. I’ve considered if I should have been tougher on the team during training camp and at the season’s start. But because of last year, I was hesitant to push too hard continuously. In today`s environment, you need to be cautious and strategic in your approach.”
“This isn’t the right moment, but I will reflect on these points. My current focus is on this team. But I will need to assess my actions and what I could have changed. Ultimately, it’s possible nothing could have altered the situation. The team faced unique challenges, and it’s unclear if anyone could have effectively addressed them. I’m not certain if that’s the case, but we definitely need a thorough review, and I must be involved in that.”
In that same interview, Tocchet affirmed to Sportsnet, “I’m not a quitter.”
On Tuesday, he confirmed that the option year on his contract has not yet been activated.
Tocchet’s perspective on these final eight games clearly indicates he sees himself as the Canucks’ coach beyond the immediate weeks ahead.
“Who is fully committed, and who isn’t? These eight games will reveal it,” Tocchet told reporters. “For example, Dakota (Joshua) is starting to elevate his play. These are crucial games for him; he can build on this for next season. These eight games are important for me to assess everyone’s commitment, 100 percent.”
ICE CHIPS – Tocchet commented that “the odds are against” Chytil returning this season after suffering his fifth NHL concussion, resulting from a hit from behind by Chicago Blackhawk Jason Dickinson on March 15. Tocchet noted Chytil experiences both good and bad days but added, “I spoke with him today, and he said this concussion feels different from his last. The bad days are less severe, which is a positive sign.” Regarding Pettersson, who was performing exceptionally well before an upper-body injury ten days prior against the New York Rangers, Tocchet mentioned he has only had a couple of light skates and is still feeling “discomfort.” The Canucks are listing Pettersson as day-to-day, but Tocchet could not confirm if he will play again this season. Injured winger Nils Hoglander practiced in a non-contact jersey on Tuesday for the first time since the Rangers game, but will not play against Seattle.
