Vancouver Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet remains without a contract for next season and today insider Elliotte Friedman gave an update on extension talks. The Vancouver Canucks continue to be in a fight for the Stanley Cup Playoffs currently sitting just inside the final Wild Card spot. With the playoffs being at the forefront of everyone's mind concern for the future of the team has not come up all that often particularly when it comes to head coach Rick Tocchet. However, as it stands today Tocchet does not have a contract in place for next season meaning he could potentially walk away as a free agent after the season regardless of the outcome. <div align='center' class='pl20 pr20'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/taj1944/status/1876799375659200998'><div style='border:1px solid #CCCCCC;border-radius:10px;padding:20px;width:300px;'>Loading from Twitter ...</div></a></blockquote></div> This means that Tocchet has a lot of control over whether or not he remains with the Canucks for next season and this has caused a lot of discourse with the fans some wanting him back while others would rather a new voice take the lead. <div align='center' class='pl20 pr20'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/NotoriousGman88/status/1886239920370618565'><div style='border:1px solid #CCCCCC;border-radius:10px;padding:20px;width:300px;'>Loading from Twitter ...</div></a></blockquote></div> <div align='center' class='pl20 pr20'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/BuddJacket/status/1899515770599805128'><div style='border:1px solid #CCCCCC;border-radius:10px;padding:20px;width:300px;'>Loading from Twitter ...</div></a></blockquote></div> With so much discussion surrounding this topic Elliotte Friedman decided to go digging and figure out where extension talks are at between the two sides. <h3>Elliotte Friedman Gives An Important Update On Extension Talks Between The Canucks & Rick Tocchet</h3> During a segment on Donnie & Dhali NHL insider, Elliotte Friedman spoke with Canucks insider Rick Dhaliwal about the Tocchet situation. According to Friedman's sources, Tocchet wants what is important to stay important which is winning a Stanley Cup. I don't think Rick Tocchet is going to allow that to be a story. I think that if you look at it Tocchet is demanding a lot out of himself, his staff, and his players. If he allows that to be a story it's a distraction. <div align='center' class='pl20 pr20'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/donnieanddhali/status/1901756681895194660'><div style='border:1px solid #CCCCCC;border-radius:10px;padding:20px;width:300px;'>Loading from Twitter ...</div></a></blockquote></div> These comments make it seem as though negotiations between the two sides could come down to the wire after the season is over for the Canucks. If Tocchet truly wants no distractions then negotiations likely are not taking place during the season and particularly during the playoffs themselves if the Canucks make it in. This means that the Canucks could be deep into their offseason planning before they figure out if they have a head coach for next season. As the situation continues to develop we will pass the latest news along to you.