Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch reports that Jackets’ head coach John Tortorella has spoken with Columbus management about an extension. The Blue Jackets’ 108 point season in 2016-17 shocked nearly everyone, setting the franchise record for most points in a season. They also had the second longest winning streak in NHL history, at 14-0-0, before settling back into a more pedestrian clip. They were felled by the eventual champions from Pittsburgh in an incredibly disadvantageous divisional matchup in the first round. Still, Tortorella turned the team around to see 16 more wins overall while guiding the growth of many standouts, such as rookie Zach Werenski and sudden goal-scoring force Cam Atkinson.
Tortorella coached the 2003-04 Tampa Bay Lightning to a Game 7 victory over the Calgary Flames in the Stanley Cup Final to earn his only championship behind the bench. He coached for 4 seasons with the New York Rangers and 1 disappointing season in Vancouver before landing in Columbus. Tortorella is league-renowned for his abrasive demeanor in press conferences and preaching a hard-nosed style of play. There is a solid chance Tortorella takes home the Jack Adams at the NHL Awards – he is nominated alongside Toronto’s Mike Babcock and Edmonton’s Todd McLellan.
If Tortorella were extended, it is unclear for how many years the contract would be. His current deal expires at the end of the 2017-18 season, and he is still being compensated by the Canucks after his termination there. Portzline suggests that a contract could be in excess of $2 MM.
I’d be wary of giving Torts too long of an extension. He tends to wear out his welcome pretty quickly.
He’s the type of guy who can bring success but in short spurts. Kind of worried that Boucher is like that in Ottawa too. But as long as players are able to buy into their philosophy they will find success
I agree that the players will buy into his philosophy and be successful for a year or two, but everywhere he’s gone he has worn out his welcome. He obviously doesn’t do himself any favors with the press but I watched him slowly wear out his welcome in New York with the players too. It’s why Vancouver fired him after a year.
Torts would be fired a year after signing that contract. He’s good at getting a team organized and in order, but could never take it further. He’s a bit of a head case control freak.