Arizona Coyotes rumors: Rick Tocchet as next head coach?
The Arizona Coyotes may be close to hiring a new head coach, and Rick Tocchet seems to be emerging late in the search.
Citing the vague notion of philosophical differences, and perhaps with some influence from a new principal owner, Dave Tippett left his post as Arizona Coyotes head coach two weeks ago. There is some indication the team is set to wrap up interviews this week, though, with an announcement of a hire sure to come soon after.
Rick Tocchet has spent the last three seasons as an assistant coach for the Pittsburgh Penguins, including back-to-back Stanley Cups. He was a rumored candidate to become the Buffalo Sabres next head coach, after Dan Bylsma was fired, but Tocchet denied he was even contacted and the job ultimately went to Phil Housley after the Stanley Cup Final concluded.
The Coyotes job obviously came open very late, with some added urgency to their search. But finding the finding the right fit is important, and TSN’s Darren Dreger has reported a “good possibility” Tocchet will become the next head coach in Arizona.
I haven't dug in on this one, but sounds like there's a good possibility Rick Tocchet is the Arizona Coyotes next head coach.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) July 6, 2017
Tocchet spent three seasons of his playing career with the Coyotes from 1997-2000. He was also on Wayne Gretzky’s coaching staff in Arizona during the 2005-06 season, with a 2-3 record as interim head coach when Gretzky was away from the team. So there’s some possible familiarity with the fanbase.
After Barry Melrose lasted just 16 games, in a failed experiment to have a big name behind the bench and notable names on his coaching staff, Tocchet served as head coach of the Tampa Lightning for almost two full seasons (2008-09 and 2009-10). But two non-playoff seasons, and a 53-69-26 record, led to him being fired in April of 2010.
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Tocchet comes with a Stanley Cup pedigree, as a player and an assistant coach with the Penguins. But his record as a head coach, while limited, is not impressive. He could be a great fit for the Coyotes going forward, but Tocchet has a lot to prove as a man with the final say behind a bench.