Canucks’ Rick Tocchet Responds to Elliotte Friedman’s Contract Report
Vancouver Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet may be nearing the end of his tenure in Canada, as his contract is set to expire after the regular season. However, his future with the team remains uncertain. For now, Tocchet isn’t ready to publicly discuss his next steps.
Addressing Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman’s report that the Canucks have already extended an offer to keep him beyond this season, Tocchet emphasized that contract discussions remain private. His current deal is set to end on June 30, with a team option available for the 2025–26 season. When asked about his contract status, Tocchet reiterated that his focus is on the team’s performance. “It’s private,” he said. “Right now, my priority is getting this team in the right direction. That’s a conversation for another time with Jim and Patrick.”
Friedman reported on Tuesday that the Canucks are determined to retain Tocchet, either by signing him to an extension or activating the team option if a new agreement isn’t reached. “According to multiple sources, the Canucks have indicated that if Tocchet is coaching next season, it will be in Vancouver—either under an extension or the existing club option,” Friedman stated. “Their preference is to extend him, but they will trigger the option if necessary.”
While Tocchet expressed gratitude for the support he has received from fans and his appreciation for Vancouver, he made it clear that contract negotiations are not his priority during the playoff push. “There are things we’ll discuss in the future, but now is not the right time,” he said.
Despite navigating internal challenges and injuries this season, Tocchet has led Vancouver to a 34-27-13 record following an impressive 50-23-9 campaign last year, which earned him the NHL’s Coach of the Year honor. The Canucks remain in playoff contention, trailing Minnesota (41-28-6) by seven points with eight games remaining. However, securing a postseason berth will require a strong finish from Vancouver and a decline in performance from the Wild.
