While there hasn’t been much discussion in regards to any openings with the coaching staff of the Vancouver Canucks, there are some very hungry suitors in the wings if the team makes a notable change behind the bench.

During an appearance on Sportsnet 650’s Halford and Brough, Daily Faceoff NHL insider Frank Seravalli revealed that there are several teams that would be champing at the bit if Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet were to move on from the franchise.

“I can only tell you this with absolute certainty,” Seravalli said. “I know that there are teams right now that have had coaches signed up for next season and beyond that would fire their coach into the sun to get their hands on Rick Tocchet, so his market value has only gone to increase.”

Seravalli believes there are a select few teams that are waiting to see how things play out with Tocchet and the Canucks before making a decision on their coaching situation for the 2025-26 season.

“I think there’s six of the eight teams in the league that are waiting to see how this plays out, to understand whether or not they might be able to get him.”

While there is a clear desire for the Canucks to retain the defending Jack Adams winner, speculation of the two parties’ future has been in question as Tocchet is in the final year of his contract in Vancouver. The veteran bench boss has been quoted as saying that he doesn’t want to worry about signing an extension in the middle of the season but rather stay focused on trying to guide the team back into the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Seravalli acknowledged there is an option at the end of Tocchet’s contract, but those details are a little fuzzy.

“We understand there’s an option here, and it’s not clear yet as to whether or not it’s a mutual option, or a club option, or a pocket option … but don’t leave that till March or late March of the following season in which he could potentially walk at the end of it, because it’s just one more unsettling factor to this year.”

Seravalli pointed out that this additional drama in what has already been a tumultuous season in Vancouver could’ve been avoided.

“By every single metric and measure,” Seravall said. “[Tocchet] had an unbelievable year. Why wasn’t an extension done before allowing him to go into the final year of his deal?”

Seravalli commended Tocchet for his efforts, both with handling the off-ice saga with Elias Pettersson and J.T. Miller, as well as missing key players due to injury.

“In some ways, and this is going to sound funny to say, he’s done a better job holding this group together this year than he did last year. The team was way more talented last year. There was no drama. There was no hiccups … Then you take this year, you inject all the drama that’s been there and chaos, and this team might still make the playoffs with a vastly depleted roster.”

The Canucks (32-25-12) are fourth in the Pacific Division, one point back of the St. Louis Blues for the last Wild Card spot in the Western Conference.