The Philadelphia Flyers are linked to a few different names as possible head coaching candidates. However, no coach has more rumors swirling around him and the Flyers than Rick Tocchet of the Vancouver Canucks.

Tocchet, the 2023/24 Jack Adams Award winner, was an 11-year Flyer. It only makes sense given the Flyers’ history of hiring former Flyers. According to Elliote Friedman on 32 Thoughts about a week ago, the Canucks are not happy about the links.

Friedman’s report says that he beleives that the Canucks are displeased with the noise.

“I think the Canucks have not been happy with the noise around Tocchet and Philadelphia. Between hearing some of that and what I said, I think they have made their displeasure quite clear, around the league and potentially to the Flyers and the league itself,” Friedman said.

He would say, “I think this is their way of coming out and saying that Rick Tocchet is their coach.” Friedman also said he believes the Cunucks are frustrated because Tocchet is still under contract.

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It Makes Sense that Vancouver is Unhappy with the Rick Tocchet Rumors

The rumors have solely been speculation. Tocchet’s playing time in Philly, the status of his contract, and his coaching abilities create an obvious match. His contract expires at the end of this season. However, Vancouver does have a team option.

There has been no tampering reported, but it makes all the sense in the world that Vancouver would not be happy with the situation. The Canucks are eliminated from postseason contention, but when the rumors began, they were still in the the hunt. That played a role in their displeasure. It cannot be a good feeling hearing that your coach *might* run off to a different job at the end of the season.

The Canucks have since been eliminated, but their displeasure remains the same.

Numerous people, including Friedman, have reported that Tocchet is still in Vancouver’s long-term plans, even with the down season.

If Vancouver files an official complaint against the Flyers in this situation, it likely will not change anything. If anything, the Flyers’ potential pursuit of Rick Tocchet will remain under close supervision to ensure nothing fishy happens.

For the Canucks, the complaint would be a precautionary meausure.

At the end of the day, if Rick Tocchet wants to be in Philadelphia, he will be in Philadelphia. A team cannot force a guy to coach who does not want to coach–Tocchet still has leverage despite the team option.

If Vancouver really wants to shut out the noise, it’ll do whatever it can to extend Tocchet and put an end to the rumors.

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