The great thing about Vancouver Canucks president of hockey operations Jim Rutherford is that he is more than happy to say whatever is on his mind. The filter between his brain and his mouth does not exist,

After the Vancouver Canucks chose not to pick up the option on Rick Tocchet's contract for the 2025-26 season, they tried to get a new deal done, but that never materialized. Now the two sides are going their separate ways, and Tocchet released a statement on the split.

Tocchet stepped in for Bruce Boudreau midway through Vancouver's 2022-23 season. He led the Canucks to 50 wins in 2024 but saw his team miss the playoffs this spring. Rutherford said last Monday the Canucks had wanted Tocchet to sign a longer contract because "we don't feel it's right to have somebody here that may have his mind somewhere else."