Rick Tocchet not returning as head coach of the Vancouver Canucks

[Calgary4LIfe]

Originally Posted by activeStick

I believe you are incorrect that Hughes has ever said he wouldn't stick around if the Canucks enter a re-build, but that is widely speculated as his preference and so, it's assumed the Canucks need to be competing for the cup next season if they hope he extends.

We do know though, that Rutherford called Quinn and left him a voicemail within 30 minutes of his chat with Tocchet. Hughes hadn't called Rutherford back yet though at the time Rutherford had his press conference and for some odd reason felt he needed to share those details with the media .

Perhaps - but there are two sources here. One was the interview with Hughes in which he directly stated that he prefers the team retools vs rebuilds and that nobody wants to stick around for a rebuild. That's cliche of course, so who knows exactly how much he means it.


What isn't cliche is what Rutherford stated - if they rebuild, then Hughes is gone. I can only assume that Rutherford has had a discussion with Hughes at some level at least for him to come out and state this in the media. Perhaps it is just a sense by Rutherford here due to Hughes' competitiveness, but it certainly seems like Rutherford has heard it from Hughes.


I personally think Hughes is gone, and it may happen as quickly as this off-season, but more likely next off-season. Only a miracle turnaround by the team next season would entice him to stick around i would think. It could happen - they certainly have good pieces there - but it doesn't look likely. No matter what Rutherford gets in exchange for Hughes, he is likely to lose that deal. Hughes is a unicorn.

[Calgary4LIfe]

Originally Posted by Blaster86

Their entire career success was derived from their ability to work along the wall and in the corners to get the puck to the net.


They thrived in the dirty places. What they didn't do was play the body, but they worked in the dirty areas all the same.

I definitely agree. As much as I hated the Sedins for their diving, they were two players that never shied away from the hard areas, and until later in their careers, took a lot of physical abuse but were very resilient. Had it not been for their diving, I would have grudgingly respected them quite a lot.

[Icantwhisper]

Originally Posted by Mean Mr. Mustard

The Canucks had a massive hole on the backend for years, they had a #1 defenseman in Hughes and a whole bunch of nothing else with an inability to develop any quality defenders (and Benning trading away Forsling for Clendening less than a year after he was drafted, just when he started to show promise)

They are a team that has always been in a win now mode with a fan base that lacks patience for a rebuild, so they try and sign/trade their way into sneaking into the playoffs. Their drafting is brutal so they are trading from an area of strength to plug holes, all the while having to trade their draft picks to make up for their UFA signings not working out or trading away a contract (ie Mikheyev, Dickinson, Eriksson/Beagle/Rousell...)

They keep trying to buy their way out of trouble like a drunk with pay day loans. They trade for (a third round pick) and sign Dickinson and sign him to a contact, they then have to give up an asset to trade him (a second round pick) so that they can sign Mikheyev, who they then have to trade (for a second round pick) so that they can sign Heinen, Desharnais and Debrusk.

So they have traded two second round picks and a third for the ability to retain salary and sign more UFAs. The Canucks biggest problem is July 1 and thinking that this year will be any different than the past decade of poor signings.

As a big proponent of facts I have to disagree, they traded him in 2015 and he showed so much promise that Florida picked him up off waivers in 2021. Then he started to show promise. He had 6 years of "nothing special", any team could have had him for a 7th vs Carolina losing him on waivers.

[Paulie Walnuts]

Should we turn this to the official head coaching rumours thread.

Anaheim has interviewed Jay Woodcraft, David Carle, and reached out to Mike Sullivan.

They have set a 2nd interview with JQ.

[Blaster86]

Canucks' job is apparently Manny Malhotra's as soon as he is done in the AHL Play-Offs.


Canucks going back to the cheap first time head coach well.

[Yeah_Baby]

Originally Posted by Blaster86

Canucks' job is apparently Manny Malhotra's as soon as he is done in the AHL Play-Offs.


Canucks going back to the cheap first time head coach well.

Not to mention a first time HC getting his shot probably makes that job more attractive as some of the more spendy folks probably find other gigs more attractive.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Originally Posted by Blaster86

Canucks' job is apparently Manny Malhotra's as soon as he is done in the AHL Play-Offs.

Canucks going back to the cheap first time head coach well.

If they're doing this they should just give it to Adam Foote. Although maybe he isn't interested.

The reality for the Canucks is that when Tocchet replaced Boudreau, they were defensively a complete mess, both in terms of personnel and play. Since that time, they've significantly shored that up, acquired some better guys, and have some defense prospects on the way that could give them a good blue line, provided Hughes stays. But in exchange they've completely lost the plot on how to score at even strength. The team as currently constructed doesn't seem to know how to do both things at the same time, which translates into "you're always going to be fighting for an away playoff berth".

[Toonage]

Originally Posted by Blaster86

Canucks' job is apparently Manny Malhotra's as soon as he is done in the AHL Play-Offs.


Canucks going back to the cheap first time head coach well.

Rather Flamesy of them. Though its been a bit I guess.

[Paulie Walnuts]

The Flames had Billy Pete Ward and Sutter on the payroll at the same
Time.