Could Rick Tocchet be the next head coach of the Arizona Coyotes?
Jul 6, 2017, 7:39 AM | Updated: 5:52 pm
Pittsburgh Penguins assistant coach Rick Tocchet talks with linesman Steve Barton (59) during the third period in Game one of a first-round NHL hockey playoff series against the Columbus Blue Jackets in Pittsburgh, Wednesday, April 12, 2017. The Penguins won 3-1. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
(AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
The Arizona Coyotes have been looking for a new head coach since the organization parted ways with Dave Tippett June 22.
Arizona Sports’ Craig Morgan has reported that Todd Nelson, Dallas Eakins and Sheldon Keefe — all head coaches in the American Hockey League — are possibilities to fill the post.
But a new name has bubbled to the surface Thursday morning, according to TSN’s Darren Dreger, and later, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman.
I haven't dug in on this one, but sounds like there's a good possibility Rick Tocchet is the Arizona Coyotes next head coach.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) July 6, 2017
Hearing ARIZ & Rick Tocchet working on a four-year deal to become Coyotes' coach. Same term as Boughner (FLA), Green (VAN), Housley (BUF).
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) July 6, 2017
Coyotes fans are very familiar with Tocchet. He played in Arizona for three seasons from 1997 to 2000, scoring 64 goals in 213 games and helping the Coyotes to three straight Stanley Cup Playoff appearances. He also served on the Coyotes’ coaching staff, under Wayne Gretzky, for the 2005-06 season. Tocchet was the interim head coach in Gretzky’s absence for five games, guiding the Coyotes to a 2-3 record in that time.
Tocchet also guided the Tampa Bay Lightning for two seasons, starting in 2008, after Barry Melrose was fired after just 16 games. He finished with a 53-69-26 record, and the Lightning missed the playoffs both seasons.
He’s been a member of the Pittsburgh Penguins coaching staff for three years, helping the team to consecutive Stanley Cup titles.
Frank Servalli, another TSN hockey insider, has offered another name on the Coyotes’ coaching front.
Name I keep hearing attached to #Coyotes search is Ralph Krueger. Would seem to be a strong fit on a number of levels. Stay tuned.
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) July 5, 2017
Krueger, 57, last coached in the NHL with the Edmonton Oilers in the 2012-13 season. In 2014, he switched his affiliation from ice hockey to soccer, and is currently the chairman of Southampton F.C. in the English Premier League.
All Coyotes will say RE: @DarrenDreger tweet (Tocchet) & @frank_seravalli tweet (Krueger) is nothing has been finalized RE: coach search.
— Craig Morgan (@craigsmorgan) July 6, 2017
