Rick Tocchet becomes Rangers coach candidate after leaving CanucksRick Tocchet Becomes Rangers Coach Candidate After Leaving Canucks…read more…

Rick Tocchet becomes Rangers coach candidate after leaving CanucksRick Tocchet Becomes Rangers Coach Candidate After Leaving Canucks…read more…

In a surprising shake-up that’s already making waves across the NHL, Rick Tocchet has emerged as a top candidate for the head coaching position with the New York Rangers after stepping down from his post with the Vancouver Canucks.

Tocchet’s sudden departure from the Canucks organization, announced earlier this week, came as a shock to many around the league. Just a year after leading Vancouver to one of its most competitive and disciplined seasons in recent memory, Tocchet opted to part ways, citing a desire for “new challenges and opportunities” in his coaching career. Now, that opportunity may lie in the heart of Manhattan.

Sources close to the situation say the Rangers front office, led by President and GM Chris Drury, views Tocchet as a strong contender to take over behind the bench. With New York parting ways with former head coach Peter Laviolette after a disappointing playoff exit, the search is on for a leader who can both command the locker room and get the most out of a high-talent, underperforming roster. Tocchet fits that mold.

A respected hockey mind with deep experience as both a player and coach, Tocchet has earned a reputation for instilling accountability, structure, and grit—qualities the Rangers have sorely lacked in recent postseason runs. During his time in Vancouver, he transformed the Canucks into a more defensively responsible, hard-nosed team, drawing praise from analysts and players alike.

Before coaching in Vancouver, Tocchet had stints with the Arizona Coyotes and Tampa Bay Lightning, and also served as an assistant with the Pittsburgh Penguins, where he was part of two Stanley Cup wins in 2016 and 2017. Across all stops, his coaching style has remained consistent: demand hard work, reward smart play, and never be outcompeted.

For the Rangers, whose roster boasts stars like Artemi Panarin, Adam Fox, Igor Shesterkin, and Mika Zibanejad, the challenge has never been about talent—it’s been about cohesion and identity. Tocchet, known for his ability to unify a locker room and set clear expectations, could be exactly the voice they need.

There are also signs that Tocchet himself sees the Rangers job as an attractive landing spot. A storied Original Six franchise with a massive media presence, a loyal fan base, and a roster built to contend now, New York presents a high-stakes challenge that could elevate Tocchet’s coaching legacy. His no-nonsense, player-first approach could also resonate well with the Rangers’ mix of veterans and rising stars.

As of now, the Rangers have not made any official announcements, but league insiders expect interviews to begin within the week. Tocchet is reportedly among the short list of serious candidates, alongside other experienced names.

Whether or not a deal comes together remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Rick Tocchet is back on the coaching radar in a big way. And if he lands in New York, the Rangers may finally find the edge they’ve been missing.