Thrashers interested in Sullivan (updated)

Lightning assistant Mike Sullivan said the Thrashers want to speak to him about a coaching job, though late Friday night he added that he is not sure exactly what position, head coach or assistant, is on the table. That is because he has not yet made contact with Thrashers GM Don Waddell. It is believed, however, Waddell wants Sullivan as his head coach. All Sullivan said he knows is that Waddell on Thursday asked Lightning GM Jay Feaster for permission to speak to him.

"I have not spoken with Don in person," Sullivan said. "We have exchanged voice mails."

Sullivan, 40, has been with the Lightning one season and got high marks from players for his communication and technical skills. He worked with the defense and the penalty kill. Sullivan said he took the Tampa Bay job with the understanding that he eventually wanted a head coaching job. He previously coached the Bruins from 2003-06.

That the Lightning fired coach John Tortorella, and apparently is close to naming Barry Melrose the new coach (but not until after the draft), obviously made Sullivan's situation tenuous. He has one year left on his Tampa Bay contract.

"A great experience to have worked with Torts," Sullivan said. "It was an invaluable learning experience."

What is interesting about this whole thing is that it is believed, though not confirmed, that the Thrashers had some interest in Tortorella. It is a fluid situation, one that Sullivan admitted he is somewhat uncomfortable talking about.

"I want to be a head coach," Sullivan added. "In the absence of that opportunity, there's not another guy I would want to work for than Torts. I'm certainly grateful to him."   

Comments

[Rudy]

It is a different between:
brutal honesty

and : "brutal honesty"

[ann]

I see nothing wrong with brutal honesty. If you can't take it don't give it. I don't always like the people I respect the most but I would rather be respected than liked. With respect comes a certain liking

[ajax]

Don, I have never read even one thing about him going to Atlanta. And the only one even suggesting LA was Demers, gving an opinion, nothing more.
I could care less where he goes, but I read alot and I must respectfully disagree with your "in demand" statement. Hockey is a tough sport, but it never excuses the way Torts treated everyone. I think he has severely harmed himself with his behavior. Time will tell, but many in this area made it sound like Torts would have multiple offers with a huge pay raise. As of this morning, LA looks like his last chance. I guarentee his temper and "brutal honesty" has turned off lots of people in the NHL hierarchy. He hasn't even had an interview as far as I know.

[steve]

Don, where are you getting information from that Torts is getting considerable interest from LA and Atlanta? I haven't read anything concrete saying these teams wanted to interview him. After hearing an interview with LA's President (Luc R) they are looking for a coach who can work well and develop younger players, and I don't think that is Torts. Also, the Lightning would have to give permission for Torts to talk to another team, and I'm not sure they would for a division rival like Atlanta (if they do I could see Atlanta being interested). I thought he would've been good in Ottawa or San Jose, but those jobs are gone.

[Don in St. Pete]

Sorry Ajax I guess you're not paying attention. Tort's is getting considerable interest from both LA and Atlanta. Sorry to burst your bubble but you have to remember this is a gane, twice as tough as football ever thought of being, that is played by men with a singular vision, winning the cup. While many play the game as a job, those that are the best, play for the CUP.

[harvey]

I guess I'm the only one thinking this.....

Waddell asks for permission to talk to Sully but not to Torts? After all, Torts was the guy he named coach of the USA team and all of the sudden he's interested in his assistant and not his man Torts?

I could be very wrong about this but common sense tells me that Torts will be the new Atlanta coach and Sully will go with him.

Maybe...........

Then again ....... maybe Waddell saw something he liked in Sully since he was an assistant for USA, and his interest lies with him rather than Torts. I'm inclined to think that could be true because I feel the same way. However, it appears to me that we will be facing these guys several times next year.

Just a thought.

[ajax]

I haven't read one thing, anywhere, that anyone has even talked to and/or considered Torts.
There is a fine line between being tough and professional versus arrogant and demeaning. Torts shattered that line. I do not for a second believe he had players, ever, going to bat for him. He is not a players coach. He is not a managements coach. He is "my way or the high way" Don't think for a second that all of this "craziness/temper" hasn't cost him opportunity. Remember gang, he also had alot to say about ownership.(don't think other owners didn't know this and think "who the h*ll does this guy think he is?) The same ownership that gave him a heck of a contract, the same ownership that was small market with huge paychecks (Brad, Vinnie and Marty) Tortorella did real damage with his mouth. Back in December I suggested a huge piece (if not the whole darn pie!!) of humble pie. He only got worse as the miserable season wore on.
I even wrote one blog, Is he talking himself right out of the NHL? Time will tell, but for all you Pro Torts out there, maybe you see toughness where the rest of the world just saw flat out abrasive behavior. As much as I read other blogs and columns, Torts was sorta of a joke. He was the butt of many, wait til Torts becomes Torts again, jokes. I remember a NY writer saying, I watch the Lightning just incase I might catch Torts exploding. That isn't a compliment to him, the team or the city. He was clearly out of control and rich business people usually don't want those type of guys for the long run. He needs a year off and he needs to have a little talk with himself about "respect" Clearly, I thought he showed very little of it to anyone; Players, Owners, Writers; anyone. I for one, lost my respect for him as a man, way before I lost my respect for him as a coach. I know he does good things for charity, but that said, he was so darn blatant with his constant, "I have to do things my way" "It ain't a popularity contest" "If they don't like the way I do things, then they need to get me the h*ll out of here" They did, and I am glad.
Rudy your English is just fine, because your point was understood by all, or at least me.

[bob]

Florida, Ottawa, Toronto, San Jose, maybe Atlanta Hmmmmmm and Tortorella with no job yet Guess all these bloggers who said he'd get a head coach job on one of these teams know a lot about hockey

[Rudy]

And you are right.
I hope so.
Fresh start is what we need.

[Don in St. Pete]

I feel them letting Sully talk to Atlanta is telling and that the new ownership has already picked their coach. While I'm hoping it's not Melrose, none of us here have a voice in the matter. I agree that Feaster is the main problem and Tort's was the one held accountable, although he wasn't entirely without blame either. While Feaster didn't provide Tort's the players he needed to play his system, Tort's was stubborn to a fault and refused to compromise for the good of the team. I believe Feaster will be fired as well, whether it be after the upcoming season or after the draft remains to be seen. Obviously the new ownership group does not trust Feaster to do anything, not even signing players that are eligible to be signed or a minor league coach. I'll bet he's the next one out of the toaster.

[Twinebulge]

"Lightning hockey" (uptempo, puck pressure system) is way more fun to watch, but then again the Red Wings just hoisted a Cup in the "new NHL" using a tasty trap. The Devils did it in the old NHL with the trap. Since the 2-line pass was legalized, it seems other teams got better at our game, and we just sat there. How would anything change if Sullivan were head coach? He was mentored by Tortorella, whom everyone seems to detest now.

Make a clean break I say, new owner, GM, coach, new star forward, new other players, (new goalie should be the top priority, but two AHLers will have to suffice till they get that gaping hole filled).

Two about post are from RUDY

OK Olin, you set it match better them me, that is what I meant: they were all sick and tired of him and he had to go!
That was his first job, like a head coach, he was doing great, mostly he got lucky to be right time in right place, specially with bunch of hungry and yang players, but after cup he start making mistakes, newer admit it, and lost respect.

Michele, My English it’s not so great, since originally I am from Czechoslovakia, but I think, you are the one who should do some thinking. Let’s not start blaming this and that, just look at achievements. Since we win a Cup, whole team is going down, and you do not have to be racket scientist to figure out, coach ( that is his job)and gen manager is responsible for that. That is end of a story. Lightening can’t get any worst, then they are now. You can go to history of this blogs, and read all about it. We went thru that millions times, and is always one simple answer. You do not doing your job well, get out.
We, fans, want a team to be in a game, not to be ashamed of the way they playing. That is way we hire a coach and GM to give us such a team. It is a business, not a joke.

[olin storahund]

....well, Panters get my "sleeper" pick and 2nd choice as coach of our Bolt's in Peter DeBoer. A very wise choice by Jacque martin. Panter's will be a much better team now, and to think OK Hockey might have been able to hire him. Will prove to be our loss.
I will continue to bandwagon to bring back Craig Ramsey and get Larry Robinson from NJ. I surely hope Ok knows what they are doing bringing Melrose here if they do. They had better have some surprises up their sleeve.
I agree with Rudy, except the love-hate thing neutrilize's each other- I dont' think any Lightning player's either loved or hated the General. I do believe they were all sick and tired of him and he had to go, without questions for all the reason's said. Respectful of your choice Michael, but he would no longer be a winning coach in tampa bay. He is a good coach, but he wore himself out here, and might be looking at the unemployment line because of how he was here....at least at the NHL level.

[Michael]

Rudy, please think before you post comments. Players dont hate Torts. They might not love him, but they dont hate him. Also, if they did, what would make them like if after a year, if that is what you are trying to say, so your first sentence dosnt make sense. I know I still want Torts as the Lightnings head coach, and KNOW I am not alone in my feelings. While I normally dont like the doom and gloom method, I think that the Lightning are going to realize that firing Torts was the worst thing they could have done. But, when Barry Melrose has control of the Lightning and we play even worse than last year, we will realize it. Yeah, maybe players do after a while tune a coach out, but I dont think it had happened to Torts. And I also think that Jay Feaster is the problem. I used to defend him, but I cant anymore. Bad trades (Freddy Modin for Marc Denis, 1st round pick for Shane O'Brien, who is out of shape now) and back stabbing. First he said as long as he was here, Torts would be the coach, so he fires him to save his butt. Then, he says Sullivan was his leading candidate to replace Torts if he had a say, and now, I have a feeling he will let Sully go to Atlanta. Well, atleast the Rays are playing well, and the Bucs are a good team. I wont give up on the Lightning, but my expectations are lower than usual.

[Rudy]

I believe, Torts need a rest un least one year. I do not think nobody will hire him anyway after all of that. He was not able to handle his job like a professional. Too emotional, and ……. All of you know a story. We end a last. Players hate him, that is not such a great portfolio.

[Nan]

I see that both Ottawa and Florida have new head coaches now. Doesn't that just leave Atlanta and LA needing new coaches (aside from us that is)? Will Torts get a job? What is going on with him, Damian?

Good luck to Sully! Torts too!

[Rudy]

Sullivan was in charge of defense, and penalty kill. Non of that work really well. Maybe he is nice person, but defense was biggest problem not just last year.
Let’s start fresh, and hope for best.

[Bobby]

Hire Sully!!!!!

[Leanmean43]

Well It looks like Melrose will be the Lightning coach for sure. I was hoping they would give Sullivan the head coaching job. Sullivan would have at least keep the uptempo system. I have a feeling Melrose is gonna be Trap city. I don't know if the Bolts will be effective with the trap, they're gonna have offensive minded forwards Vinny, Marty, and Stamkos.