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There as an interesting development on Tuesday in the world of National League Hockey with Rick Tocchet stepping down as head coach of the Vancouver Canucks. He's already figured prominently in the odds as the next full-time head coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins (though with 8-1 odds) and the Seattle Kracken, where he is more of a favorite.
Tocchet's odds of becoming the next Kraken head coach were set at 7/2 and could get shorter at BetOnline.
Canucks president of hockey operations Jim Rutherford confirmed they weren't exercising their option on Tocchet's contract before adding that they offered him a new, more lucrative deal to remain in Vancouver.
"After a very long and thorough process, unfortunately Rick has decided to leave the Vancouver Canucks," Rutherford said in a statement. "This is very disappointing news, but we respect Rick's decision to move to a new chapter in his hockey career. We did everything in our power to keep him but at the end of the day, Rick felt he needed a change."
He then went on to say that Tocchet "may have his mind somewhere else" before adding that he felt Tocchet and his staff did "a good job coaching this team this year" as they did in their first full campaign.
Tocchet was a midseason hire during the 2022-23 season. His first full year in charge saw the Canucks win 50 games, finish with 109 points and win the Pacific Division.
"I'm choosing to move on from the Vancouver Canucks," Tocchet said. "Family is a priority, and with my contract lapsing, this becomes an opportune time. While I don't know where I'm headed, or exactly how this will play out for me over the near term, I feel like this is the right time for me to explore other opportunities around hockey."
Seattle Kraken Next Full-Time Head Coach
Mike Sullivan
11/4
(+275)
Rick Tocchet
7/2
(+350)
Pete Laviolette
15/4
(+375)
Gerard Gallant
4/1
Joel Quenneville
11/2
(+550)
David Carle
6/1
Bruce Boudreau
15/2
(+750)
John Tortorella
10/1
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