Rick Tocchet Linked to Metropolitan Division Team, Per Elliotte Friedman

Rick Tocchet was heavily coveted by the Vancouver Canucks, but with just one successful campaign in his 2.5 years with the team, he left them early in the off-season to no surprise.

What is surprising is that he turned down a five-year deal that would have paid him $5 million per season, and with seven other Head Coach vacancies around the NHL, the expectation is that he would end up with one of those teams.

Now, Elliotte Friedman has revealed that Tocchet is the 'number one guy' for the Philadelphia Flyers, and given his history with the team as a player, it's no surprise that they'd like to bring him in to replace John Tortorella.

Back in 1983, the Flyers used the 121st overall pick on Tocchet, and he would go on to play for the team over 11 seasons, and now, with stints in Tampa Bay, Arizona and Vancouver under his belt as a Head Coach, it appears he's ready to head back to the Flyers.

Nothing is close to confirmed yet, but with Mike Sullivan now off the board, it makes sense for the Flyers to target the talented coach, and with a young, promising roster of their own, there's no doubting that he could help them grow and build for the future. Tocchet has also been heavily linked with non other than the Pittsburgh Penguins.

For now, the expectation is that Tocchet will at least be a finalist to land in Philadelphia, and unless a team like Boston, Pittsburgh or another team with a vacant position at Head Coach swoop in and give him a better offer, don't be surprised to see this one happen.