Boston native John Tortorella has officially interviewed for NHL team's head coaching vacancy
It appears an NHL team has officially interviewed former and longtime head coach John Tortorella.
Or Torts, as they call him.
The Boston native hasn't coached in the NHL since mutually parting ways with the Columbus Blue Jackets after the conclusion of the 2020-21 season. However, as first reported by Andy Strickland (@andystrickland), the Philadelphia Flyers showed interest in Tortorella as their new head coach:
NHL insider Elliotte Friedman confirmed the reports in an interview with The NHL Network, and that Tortorella has actually interviewed with the Flyers as well:
Kevin Weekes, another trusted insider, also confirmed the reports on Twitter:
The Flyers fired head coach Mike Yeo on May 3rd, 2022, after the team finished eighth in the Metropolitan Division with a record of 25-46-11 and only 61 points. They also failed to qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the second straight season for the first time in consecutive seasons since a five-year drought from 1989-94.
Tortello briefly commented on his interview:
Tortorella currently serves as an analyst for the NHL on ESPN. He has previously coached the Columbus Blue Jackets, New York Rangers, Tampa Bay Lightning, and the Vancouver Canucks and led the Lightning to the 2004 Stanley Cup Championship. He is the first American-born NHL coach to reach 500 wins and has won the Jack Adams Award twice in his career.
Torts is well-known for his outspoken and sometimes confrontational nature, which has included criticizing his own players as well as media members.
