Rick Tocchet is leaving the Vancouver Canucks after two-plus seasons, and his name will feature prominently among the NHL's coaching openings. The Canucks didn't pick up the team option on Tocchet's contract but instead offered him a new one.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Rick Tocchet is not returning as coach of the Vancouver Canucks, the team announced Tuesday, plunging them into another search and making him a top candidate for several vacancies around the NHL.

Tocchet stepped in for Bruce Boudreau midway through Vancouver's 2022-23 season. He led the Canucks to 50 wins in 2024 but saw his team miss the playoffs this spring. Rutherford said last Monday the Canucks had wanted Tocchet to sign a longer contract because "we don't feel it's right to have somebody here that may have his mind somewhere else."