Why An In-Season Coaching Change Does Not Make Sense For The Vancouver Canucks

The 2024-25 season has been a tough one for the Vancouver Canucks. Thanks to a combination of injuries, locker room issues and inconsistency, the Canucks have not been able to build off last season and currently find themselves below the playoff bar with a record of 21-17-10 through 48 games. While the team will be making some changes to the roster ahead of the trade deadline, one move that doesn't make sense is replacing Rick Tocchet before the end of the season.

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While some on social media have called for Tocchet's firing, letting go of last year's Jack Adams Award winner will not fix this team's issues. Yes, there are some system problems on the ice, but the majority of the team's issues stem from a problematic locker room. Until these locker room issues are resolved, the team will struggle, regardless of who is behind the bench.

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As for behind-the-scenes, letting Tocchet go during the season would create some financial issues for the organization. Not only would ownership need to pay Tocchet for the rest of the season, but also whoever comes in to replace him. While some will argue that it should not matter if the Canucks have to pay multiple coaches at the same time, it does from an ownership perspective, as since 2021, there have already been two instances where the organization was paying former head coaches who were no longer with the team.

Lastly, there is an argument that this core should not have the opportunity to work with another head coach. If the organization does decide to part ways with Tocchet, this team will have four head coaches in less than 40 months. At some point, the responsibility needs to be put on the players who are clearly not playing up to their potential, regardless of who is behind the bench.

It is important to note that Tocchet should be critiqued for the way Vancouver has played this season. That being said, he does have a history of success since arriving less than two years ago and deserves the opportunity to continue to work with the group. As mentioned, while there are calls on social media to fire Tocchet, the Canucks changing their head coach at this point of the season does not make much sense.

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