Let me start off by saying that I do not want to see the Arizona Coyotes fire Rick Tocchet, but at the same time, I do think this team is struggling right now.
Rick Tocchet has been instrumental for the Coyotes turn around the last few seasons, and he even appeared at the all-star game this year. However, he only appeared the event because Vegas fired their head coach Gerard Gallant.
Gallant was fired following a 4 game losing streak that put Vegas outside of the playoffs after being one of the best in the conference all season. Now Arizona finds themselves in a similar situation, and their head coach has less winning experience with the team.
If the Coyotes opted to fire Tocchet it would shake up the dynamics of this team instantly, and there are a few great coaches available for the Coyotes to bring in. Maybe Mike Babcock or Pete Laviolette could help lift this team to a championship.
More from Howlin' Hockey
- How the Arizona Coyotes could line-up with Logan Cooley signed
- Report: Logan Cooley could be closer to signing Arizona Coyotes ELC
- Arizona Coyotes sign Matias Maccelli to three-year deal
- Ivan Prosvetov signs one-year deal with Arizona Coyotes
- Arizona Coyotes cut Galchenyuk after reported police incident
Both coaches we mentioned have won it all. Think about how great Tocchet has been this season, and yet it looks like he just can not finish and get this team to the playoffs. Bringing in a coach that is experienced in leading a team to a championship like Laviolette or Babcock would dramatically improve this unit in my opinion.
It would also light a fire under the players. They understand that Tocchet would most likely have been let go to shake up their season. The Coyotes have failed in the last month, and that is mostly the players’ fault not the coaches, but the best way to shake things up is by bringing in a new coach.
Maybe Laviolette or Babcock would also know how to set up a power play, otherwise, the Coyotes might just have to start declining the power play. I know this is all hypothetically speaking, but honestly, it seems more likely that Rick Tocchet might be let go.