Named in honor of noted gambling aficionado Rick Tocchet, The Tocchet Line is an occasional feature on NHL FanHouse in which we even out the odds for the likelihood of various hockey-related happenings.As Eric McErlain noted today on FanHouse, Al Arbour's one-shot return to the New York Islanders' bench was a very big deal. Not only did the NHL legend coach his 1,500th game, but the Islanders managed to piss off hockey purists with nary a 15-year contract in sight. So successful was Arbour's cameo appearance, one can't help but wonder who else might be in line for a
Barry Melrose (2:1) - The Mullet must return! If not because he's the key to landing sponsorship with Mario's House of Mafioso Pinstripes, then because he's looking so laid back these days on ESPNews that I'm pretty sure he could coach an entire NHL game with a copy of The Hockey News in one hand and a Tom Collins in the other.
Phil Goyette, Terry Simpson, Lorne Henning, Mike Milbury, Butch Goring, Peter Laviolette and Steve Stirling (6:1) - Did you see the attendance for the Islanders' win against the Penguins on Al Arbour Night? Incredible ... a sellout at the Nassau Coliseum, and the Rangers weren't even playing. Based on those numbers alone, they should bring everyone that ever coached the Islanders back for one night only. Can you imagine the nostalgic joy that is Steve Stirling Night?
Paul Newman (15:1) - Get the Hansons out of moth balls and grab the foil, because Reggie Dunlop's finally coaching an NHL team! Would you have him behind the bench in Philly, where the Flyers are currently perfecting their own brand of "old time hockey?" Nah ... gotta have him in Florida, where the Charlestown Chiefs were going to be relocated -- if the rumors were true, that is.
