PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 15: Philadelphia Flyers Alumni coach Rick Tocchet (22) waves during the Flyers Alumni Orange and Black game on November 15, 2021 at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, PA.
(Photo by Andy Lewis/Icon Sportswire)

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Rick Tocchet coached the last two seasons in Vancouver
  • Tocchet played 11 seasons in Philadelphia
  • Read below for more on the Flyers hiring Tocchet

The NHL coaching carousel is spinning faster than ever nowadays.

Just over two weeks it was announced that Rick Tocchet would not return to the Vancouver Canucks, it appears he’s found another gig.

We speculated three potential landing spots for Tocchet just two weeks ago, and he’s ending up with the Philadelphia Flyers.

The smoke around Tocchet heading to Philadelphia had always been there despite conflicting reports in recent weeks. However, John Buccigross sent out one of his patented head coaching hire posts on social media on Tuesday night to add a few layers of fuel to the fire.

And then on Wednesday morning, the NHL’s top insider all but confirmed the news.

Later on Wednesday afternoon, the Flyers teased it themselves with a creative social media post of their own.

And made it official a few minutes later.

Tocchet will replace interim head coach Brad Shaw behind the Flyers bench. Shaw coached nine games after Philadelphia parted ways with John Tortorella in late March.

“I am very happy to welcome Rick Tocchet as our head coach,” Flyers general manager Danny Briere said in a statement. “During this process it became clear that Rick was the absolute right coach to lead our team. He has enjoyed the highest level of success both as a player and coach. Rick’s ability to teach and understand his players, combined with his passion for winning, brings out the best in young players at different stages of their development and has earned the respect and confidence of highly talented All-Stars and veteran players alike.”

Here’s what we speculated in our potential landing spots piece earlier this month:

Tocchet played for the Flyers from 1984 until 1992, and finished out his career there from 2000 to 2002 after getting traded by the Phoenix Coyotes. The end of Tocchet’s career coincided with that of Keith Jones, who is currently the Flyers president of hockey operations. He was also a Flyers Postgame Live analyst after his career ended.

The Flyers may be looking for a fresh face behind the bench rather than going with another grizzled veteran, but Tocchet’s ties to Philadelphia make it an obvious possibility.

Tocchet played with Jones at the end of his career and crossed paths with him during his time in the media. Some thought that Tocchet may rejoin the NHL on TNT panel full-time after guesting over the weekend, but the Flyers are reportedly bringing him back to Philadelphia.