NHL: Winnipeg Jets at Vancouver Canucks - Source: Imagn — Rick Tocchet sheds light on Elliotte Friedman's report of Canucks offering him a contract extension - Source: Imagn

HC Rick Tocchet sheds light on Elliotte Friedman's report of Canucks offering him a contract extension

Modified Apr 02, 2025 04:04 GMT

Vancouver Canucks coach Rick Tocchet shared his thoughts on a recent report of the team offering him a contract extension. According to NHL insider Elliotte Friedman, the Canucks have made it clear they want to keep Tocchet, and the club is believed to have already proposed Tocchet with a new contract.

"The Canucks are believed to have made one offer already to Tocchet to start the conversation. Of course, term and dollars will be a major factor, but so will the direction of the franchise. Tocchet, management, and ownership will need to make certain they see the future the same way," said Friedman.

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Ahead of Wednesday's game against the Seattle Kraken, Tocchet addressed the report. He characterized the discussions as private and said his current focus is on the team's performance.

"It’s private," Rick Tocchet said. "I try to be as honest as possible. Honestly, right now I am thinking to get this time into a direction and all that stuff. That’s a conversation for another time with Jim and Patrick. We go way back, and we’ll have those conversations, but right now, I’m just thinking about how to beat Seattle.

"I know people don’t believe it but that’s the truth. This is a great city, I walk around the city and the fans are great. You know, it's a great city, but, but there's some things that we'll talk about down the road, and it's not the right time right now," he added.

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The Vancouver Canucks, under Rick Tocchet, finished the regular season as the Pacific Division winners. The club entered this season with many expectations.

However, the Canucks have been dealt with several challenges, with internal drama and injuries to key players contributing to their struggles. But the management is reportedly pleased with Rick Tocchet's performance as coach and wants to keep him long-term.

What's next for the Vancouver Canucks?

The Vancouver Canucks are currently battling a tough battle for a wild-card position in the Western Conference. Following their back-to-back defeats to the Blue Jackets and Winnipeg Jets, the Canucks trail the second-placed St. Louis Blues (88 points) by seven points, sitting fourth in the standings.

The Canucks will hope to accumulate as many points as possible from their remaining eight games, beginning with a home matchup against the Seattle Kraken on Wednesday.

Also Read: Marty Biron brushes aside Vancouver Canucks to bluntly label $1.5 billion NHL franchise as "most disappointing" team

About the author

Abhishek is an NHL writer at Sportskeeda with over 2 years of sports reporting experience and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Delhi. He became a fan of ice hockey after watching NHL fight videos on YouTube, which led to him professionally writing about the sport and his continued interest in all things hockey.

A fan of the Boston Bruins, Abhishek considers their incredible comeback win against the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2013 playoffs as the most iconic moment in the NHL. His admiration for the six-time Stanley Cup winners also comes from the team’s storied history, distinctive black and gold uniform and their success in the sport. His all-time favorite NHL players are Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid, for their ability to perform at the highest level consistently.

Abhishek ensures his reporting is fair and balanced by being well-researched in his details, which he expects to be relevant, up-to-date and in line with ethical standards. His specialties are doing detailed match analysis and covering fan reactions.

Abhishek enjoys music, traveling and going on walks with his three German Shepherds in his free time, along with learning about horticulture.

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