(Photo by John Ziomek)

Rick Tocchet avoids jail time and only receives probation for two years. The scandal that put unwanted attention on the Phoenix Coyotes, the Gretzkys, and Tocchet himself, can be now put to rest.

It's over.

For his role in the gambling ring, Tocchet has not been involved with the NHL for more than a year.

In my mind, there was no question that Tocchet was good for the team and for Gretzky. He was unafraid to keep players accountable, much like the bulk of his NHL career.

Rick Tocchet vs. Brad May

It's a shame, though, that Tocchet allowed himself to be involved with this situation. With the veterans that played with the Coyotes last season, he might have made an influence or might have been able to press the right buttons getting them to produce where Wayne Gretzky, Barry Smith, or Ulf Samuelsson could not.

In addition, he had the opportunity to work with the best player of the NHL. He could have helped the franchise by teaching and by influencing the current crop of young players that will appear for the Coyotes next season.

Instead, he blew it up by helping a friend in an illegal betting scheme that allegedly had mob ties. Vegas is five hours drive, or a one hour flight from both Los Angeles and Phoenix, why not go there to bet on sports?

Of course, the odds must have been better through the gambling ring that Tocchet and James Harney ran, but there are distinct choices to be made where getting caught is potentially a disaster. Tocchet and Harney did get caught and for Tocchet, it could have been so much worse.

Who knows what is in store for his future with the Coyotes franchise. My personal feeling is that he won't be back. If the betting scandals now working their way through the NBA didn't happen, I'm still not so sure he would be able to return.

For the measure of Rick Tocchet as a player and as a coach, he would still be a solid addition behind the Coyotes bench. However, with the distraction that the whole ordeal comes with Tocchet, it may be better for him to stay away even longer.

Original post by PB

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