Arizona Coyotes and Head Coach Rick Tocchet Part Ways

As we shared a couple of days ago it was becoming more clearer in the desert that the Arizona Coyotes would be moving on from head coach Rick Tocchet, and sure enough that report was confirmed today.

BREAKING: The Coyotes and coach Rick Tocchet have mutually agreed to part ways after four seasons:https://t.co/eHDhsP6HPY pic.twitter.com/WjOXMrumSP
— Craig Morgan (@CraigSMorgan) May 9, 2021

The 2020-21 season was Tocchet's fourth season behind the bench for the 'Yotes and he just wasn't able to get them over the hump. It doesn't help when your management team and ownership at not communicating and there's some serious drama surrounding the operations of your team. This included the scouting and drafting scandal amongst other things. Tocchet tried to stay positive throughout it all but unfortunately wasn't able to put results together on the ice. Last season was his best with the team as they went 33-29-8 and made the playoffs. Through 288 games in the desert Tocchet has led the team to a 123-131-24 record.

Tocchet spent two seasons with the Tampa Bay Lightning back over a decade ago and some time with the Pittsburgh Penguins and will become one of the hottest free-agent coaches on the market. Expect the Seattle Kraken to give Tocchet a look and even if he doesn't land a head coaching gig, Tocchet's an option to become a head assistant with many organizations.