Rick Tocchet Set to Join Philadelphia Flyers as Head Coach

PHILADELPHIA, PA — Rick Tocchet, the former head coach of the Vancouver Canucks, is reportedly set to take on the role of head coach for the Philadelphia Flyers, according to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman.

At 61, Tocchet is joined by a history with the Flyers, having played 11 seasons with the team. He is expected to lead the Flyers as they aim for their first playoff appearance since 2020 after a disappointing record of 33-39-10 last season.

The Flyers parted ways with previous head coach John Tortorella in March after a six-game losing streak, with Brad Shaw stepping in as interim coach. Tocchet’s experience and past success, including winning the Jack Adams Award as the NHL’s best coach, have made him a highly sought-after candidate by multiple teams.

Despite interest from other teams, including the Pittsburgh Penguins and Seattle Kraken, Tocchet has prioritized finding the right fit for his next coaching position. Friedman noted, “He’s not interviewing with teams, he’s interviewing teams,” suggesting Tocchet is in a position of power regarding his next career move.

The Flyers are still exploring other candidates as well, keeping interim head coach Shaw in consideration. However, Tocchet appears to be the primary focus moving forward as the organization seeks stability in their coaching staff.

As Tocchet prepares to rejoin the Flyers, team leadership is keen on restructuring their approach after a tumultuous past season. There are high expectations surrounding his potential impact on the team’s future direction.

Fans will be watching closely as the Flyers finalize their decision, which is expected to have significant implications for the organization.