On today’s episode of Canucks Conversation, David Quadrelli and Harman Dayal debated whether Rick Tocchet should return as the Vancouver Canucks head coach next season, with the organization holding a club option on his contract.

The Canucks’ struggles this season have led to questions about Tocchet’s future behind the bench. While there are arguments for and against his return, Quads clarified that he’s open to either outcome.

“If management came out and said, ‘We have this other guy we really like who we think is going to help open up the offence,’ I’m not going to be saying they should have kept Rick Tocchet, and vice versa,” Quads said. “I could be sold on whichever path this team takes because there are good arguments on both sides. He’s a fine coach. I don’t know who I’d bring in to replace him. I also don’t blame him entirely for the team’s faults. I think new players and better decisions by management will fix things more than whatever happens with Tocchet; those other things matter more.”

While Tocchet has been credited for instilling structure and improving the team’s defensive play, offensive struggles have persisted throughout the season, raising concerns about his system’s ability to maximize the roster’s scoring potential.

Quads also noted that in the case the Canucks look to replace Tocchet, it’s going to be difficult to actually upgrade on him.

“When you look at free agent coaches, who’s going to come in and replace Tocchet that you like more?”

Harm pointed out that while the Canucks hold the decision-making power with Tocchet’s club option, the coach’s own willingness to return will be a major factor.

“The Canucks have a club option, but if Tocchet is lukewarm about staying in Vancouver beyond this season, you don’t want him as your head coach,” Harm explained. “You need a head coach who’s fully bought in and invested, so this is going to have to be a mutual decision where both sides really want to make things work.”

A consideration for Tocchet could be whether he believes Elias Pettersson is capable of rebounding as the team’s offensive leader.

“I truly wonder how much of it rests on Pettersson,” Harm continued. “I wish I could give Tocchet some truth serum and ask him what he thinks the odds are of Pettersson bouncing back to a point-per-game centreman next season. If he’s confident that Petey’s going to rebound, and you combine that with management presumably planning to land him another top-six centreman, a high-end winger, and some weapons, all of a sudden there’s a compelling case for Tocchet to want to return.”

If Tocchet doesn’t believe in Pettersson’s ability to regain form, that could push him toward stepping away.

“If he’s not sold on Pettersson and management is saying they believe in him and want to keep him, Tocchet probably would lean towards not wanting to come back,” Harm added. “Demko will be a factor as well, to a lesser extent.”

Ultimately, the decision will come down to whether both Tocchet and Canucks management believe he is the right coach to lead the team forward.