Rick Tocchet is not returning as coach of the Vancouver Canucks, the team announced Tuesday, plunging them into another search and making him a top candidate for several vacancies around the NHL. Tocchet's departure comes after 2 1/2 seasons in Vancouver since replacing Bruce Boudreau in January 2023.

Rick Tocchet has stepped down as Canucks coach, despite the team's attempts to re-sign him. The Canucks now become the eighth NHL team looking to a hire a new coach this offseason.

The two-time Cup winner as an assistant for Mike Sullivan in Pittsburgh joins him, Joel Quenneville, and Peter Laviolette as a few of the top options available.