Per TSN’s Darren Dreger, one of the top coaching candidates across the league, Rick Tocchet, is nearing his decision.

Dreger reported Tuesday morning that Tocchet will land another NHL head coaching job, and will be known soon.

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

In his report, Dreger listed the Philadelphia Flyers, Boston Bruins, and surprisingly, the Seattle Kraken as three top-contenders for Rick Tocchet’s services.

In the report, Dreger says that the Flyers want to “be aggressive”. Will a return to Philly come soon for Tocchet?

Read More: James: Ranking Flyers Coaching Candidates

No Pittsburgh?

One of the bigger shocks from Dreger’s report was the Pittsburgh Penguins not being considered a top contender.

The Penguins are in need of a head coach after parting ways with long-time bench boss Mike Sullivan. Tocchet seemed like a natural fit.

Let’s be honest, who wouldn’t want to return to the place where you have your name on the Stanley Cup three times?

The timing of Tocchet’s announcement that he was leaving Vancouver came a day after the Penguins job opened up. It did not seem like much of a coincidence.

To see the Penguins not listed as one of the three top candidates, but the Seattle Kraken instead, was truly a shock.

It could have been a simple mistake by Dreger, but nothing more has been said since the repot came out.

Read More: Flyers Draft Options: Should They Draft Desnoyers or Martin

Will Rick Tocchet Soon be the 25th Flyers Head Coach?

The Philadelphia Flyers still need to hire their 25th head coach in franchise history. Based on Dreger’s report, that could be happening soon.

It seems as if Tocchet has already made one decision; that is to continue coaching instead of going to a TV job.

Now that the first is decision is made, the second should come sooner than later.

It had been long-rumored that the Flyers had Tocchet at the top of their list. With Dreger reporting the Flyers want to he aggressive, it could be a recipe for filling the vacancy.

On the flip side, on Tuesday’s 32 Thoughts, Elliote Friedman stated that Rick Tocchet was high on the Flyers list, but “I am not sure what is going to happen there.”

While Dreger reported aggressiveness from the Flyers, Friedman reported uncertainty.

At this point, it seems like the only person that knows what Rick Tocchet wants is, well, Rick Tocchet.

Read More: Flyers Mock Draft 2.0: Did the Lottery Results Change the Plan?

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