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.

When the news came down on March 27 that the Flyers were moving on from John Tortorella, all eyes immediately swung north of the border to Vancouver. The Flyers’ appreciation for Canucks coach Rick Tocchet is nothing new nor some huge surprise.

Rick Tocchet has stepped down as Canucks coach, despite the team's attempts to re-sign him. The Canucks now become the eighth NHL team looking to a hire a new coach this offseason.