The Philadelphia Flyers, Boston Bruins, and Seattle Kraken are top contenders for head coach Rick Tocchet, who became a free agent in April after not returning to the Vancouver Canucks, citing family priorities. The Flyers, aggressive in their pursuit, recently fired John Tortorella, while the Bruins let go of Jim Montgomery after a slow start, and the Kraken parted ways with Dan Bylsma after another missed postseason. Tocchet, who won the Jack Adams Award last year, has a career NHL record of 286-265-87.