NHL rumors: Insider claims Canucks President and top head coach candidate may put previously "frosty relationship" aside

The Vancouver Canucks announced last week that head coach Rick Tocchet will not return next season. Tocchet, who earned the Jack Adams Award as the NHL's best coach last season, led the Canucks to a 38-10-14 record this year.

However, the team missed the playoffs by six points after a challenging season. In a discussion on Sportsnet 650, NHL insider Frank Seravalli noted that, given the team's transitional phase, the Canucks might opt for a less experienced coach rather than a high-profile veteran.

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"If you're in a period of transition anyway, why not see if you can do something a little different and find the next good coach, as opposed to paying a premium for a guy that's been there and done that in four or five, six different organizations."

He explained that Vancouver was willing to invest heavily in Tocchet, but with that plan falling short, the organization could pivot to a fresh start. Seravalli highlighted the mutual respect between Canucks president Jim Rutherford and Laviolette's swift departure after securing the Canucks' first Stanley Cup.

"Now we know the respect that Peter Laviolette and Jim Rutherford have for each other, I think at one point in time, that relationship might have been a little bit frosty, just based on how quickly Peter Laviolette was gone after delivering Jim Rutherford his first Stanley Cup. But I think that's water under the bridge now, and obviously deep respect that goes back two decades now." he added.

Peter Laviolette is among the coaches the Vancouver Canucks could bring on board. Laviolette was released by the NY Rangers after a disappointing season.

While Jim Rutherford and Peter Laviolette had a positive working relationship leading to a Stanley Cup with the Carolina Hurricanes in 2006, they also had a frosty period during that time.

Elliotte Friedman weighs in on Vancouver Canucks coaching options

NHL insider Elliotte Friedman provided insights on potential coaching candidates for the Vancouver Canucks. Friedman believes Adam Foote, previously an assistant coach under Tocchet, is a strong candidate for the head coaching position.

He also suggested that team captain Quinn Hughes might influence the decision.

"Foote has really helped Hughes improve as a player, given him good advice," Friedman said via Sportsnet. "They bounce things off each other very well. I wouldn’t be surprised if, in addition to the fact that I think he knows hockey really well, that would have Foote on Vancouver’s short list.

Foote was hired to the Canucks' staff in January 2023, when Tocchet became the team coach.