On July 11, Rick Tocchet's long and sometimes painful wait to become an NHL head coach ended when he was hired by the Arizona Coyotes, a dysfunctional franchise that former head coach Dave Tippett walked away from in June despite having four years remaining on his contract.
In an exclusive conversation with ESPN.com, Tocchet, 53, discussed his previous coaching stops with the Coyotes, Colorado Avalanche, Tampa Bay Lightning and Pittsburgh Penguins; his two-year ban from the NHL for his role in a gambling ring; his relationships with Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, Mike Sullivan and Phil Kessel; and why he left what he called one of the best jobs in hockey -- assistant coach for the two-time defending Stanley Cup champions -- for what many believe might be the most challenging.