The primary large domino of teaching free company within the NHL has fallen with the Philadelphia Flyers asserting Thursday that they’ve parted methods with their head coach of three seasons, John Tortorella.
The transfer appeared inevitable, given the Flyers’ report this season and Torts’ public feedback following a 7-2 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs this week.
“I’m probably not concerned about studying the best way to coach in this sort of season, the place we’re at proper now,” he stated Tuesday.
Now, Tortorella turns into probably the most sought-after teaching free agent for groups this offseason, assuming the College of Denver’s David Carle doesn’t enter the carousel following the top of the NCAA season.
Listed here are 5 potential suits for the 66-year-old free agent.
5 Potential Touchdown Spots for John Tortorella in 2025
1. Boston Bruins
Instantly following the announcement of Tortorella’s firing, Boston Bruins Twitter was set ablaze with followers joking {that a} Boston hiring could possibly be imminent. Some considered it as the proper selection, whereas others noticed it extra as an inevitable catastrophe.
However there are a number of explanation why a Tortorella and Bruins marriage might make sense. First off, he’s a Boston native. He performed in highschool in Harmony, Mass., and performed faculty hockey within the New England space on the College of Maine.
Perhaps Torts wouldn’t wish to leap from one rebuild to a different, however the circumstances in Boston are far completely different from these in Philadelphia. The core of David Pastrnak, Charlie McAvoy, and Jeremy Swayman units a flooring of rivalry when all three are wholesome and enjoying to their customary.
His model might doubtlessly not combine effectively with these veteran gamers, although. Some veterans reportedly objected to former Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy’s hard-nosed teaching model, which performed an element in his firing previous to the 2021 season.
Torts definitely received’t be any higher than Cassidy in that division.
If they will overcome that, Tortorella could possibly be the proper match for a staff that wants a rejuvenating disciplinarian.
With interim Bruins coach Joe Sacco being possible the following coach fired, the Bruins might very effectively substitute him with Tortorella.
2. Buffalo Sabres
Just like the Bruins, the Sabres have been one other staff that hockey Twitter instantly speculated and joked could possibly be the touchdown spot for Tortorella.
Would he wish to enter a good worse state of affairs than Philadelphia in Buffalo? Perhaps not. However might he be enticed with full reign over a staff that has seemed listless and rudderless for the higher a part of a decade?
The state of affairs is so bleak for the Sabres that administration would most likely take the chance to roll the cube on a coach who has the potential to vary their tradition. At worst, he might anger their younger expertise and mess up their timeline. However is anybody ok on Buffalo to warrant worrying about decreasing the morale?
Assuming they transfer on from Lindy Ruff at season’s finish, Tortorella could possibly be an excellent match for the Sabres.
3. Nashville Predators
Like Boston and Buffalo, Nashville is one other staff that’ll most likely be in search of a brand new coach this offseason in the event that they transfer on from Andrew Brunette.
Brunette was predicted to be one of many first coaches fired by The Athletic earlier this season, and his current media feedback have additional difficult his place with the Predators.
They’re one other rebuilding staff that would take a flyer (no pun meant) on Tortorella and see if he can shake up their roster.
Unusually sufficient, Nashville does have a strong mixture of veteran gamers to go together with prospects and drafted gamers but to make their NHL debuts, so possibly Torts could possibly be the man to tie all of it collectively.
4. Minnesota Wild
The earlier three groups have all been rebuilding ones that want an entire tradition reset.
Nevertheless, the Minnesota Wild might match right into a class of “one transfer away” groups. Perhaps for the Wild, that one transfer could possibly be bringing in a head coach with a bit of extra pedigree than their present skipper, John Hynes.
Minnesota’s roster has gamers at each expertise stage whether or not that’s of their prime, veterans, or children and rookies on the rise.
Tortorella’s antics would most likely play fairly effectively in a hockey-obsessed market like Minnesota.
Additionally, if he’s in search of extra of a win-now state of affairs, the place a couple of tweaks to their scheme and/or tradition can proper the ship, then Minnesota could possibly be his best choice.
5. Pittsburgh Penguins
Outdoors of it being excessive comedy for the Pittsburgh Penguins to poach the coach from the Philadelphia Flyers this transfer doesn’t make a lot sense.
The timeline doesn’t actually work right here. If we’re to consider Crosby and the remainder of The Large Three are out the door, then why would the Penguins wish to herald a high-profile and certain high-dollar coach?
However crazier issues have occurred within the NHL.
Tortorella has a historical past of being petty, take a look at the current Cutter Gauthier saga as proof. He might even see a chance to get one over on the Flyers by becoming a member of a divisional and cross-state rival in Pittsburgh.
The Penguins will possible be in search of a brand new head coach this offseason, and Pittsburgh’s new homeowners could possibly be seeking to make an enormous splash.
If Mike Sullivan finally ends up out of a job, Tortorella could possibly be the one to fill his sneakers.
