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."

The 61-year-old Tocchet, who won the Jack Adams Award last year, played parts of 11 seasons for the Flyers and is friends with Keith Jones. He is expected to be a top contender for the Flyers' job.

Rick Tocchet is not returning as coach of the Vancouver Canucks. The team announced Tocchet's departure a little less than two weeks since their season ended.