Tortorella will not return next season

The Lightning will announce at a 5 p.m. news conference that coach John Tortorella will not return next season, according to a news release:

TAMPA BAY – Tampa Bay Lightning Executive Vice President and General Manager Jay Feaster announced today that John Tortorella will not return next season as the team’s head coach. Tortorella has one season remaining on his contract.

“This has been a very difficult decision because of everything that John Tortorella has meant to and done for this organization,” Feaster said. “Torts came to Tampa and not only built the foundation under our club but he also changed the culture and raised the expectations, eventually leading us to the Stanley Cup in 2004. What he accomplished during his tenure in Tampa was nothing short of remarkable and our organization will always owe him our thanks, gratitude and deep respect.”

“At the same time, we need to look to the future of the both the club and the organization, and we must make decisions with the future in mind. John was entering the final year of his contract and extending his contract was not a viable option. Having him enter and coach the season in a lame duck status was not something I was prepared to recommend to ownership.

“John Tortorella is a very good hockey coach and an even better person. By making this decision now, both the existing and incoming ownership groups are attempting to give John every opportunity to pursue the numerous head coaching vacancies that exist throughout the League. We thank John for his many years of loyal and dedicated service to our franchise and our community and we wish him and his family every continued personal and professional success.''

(Photo: John Tortorella hoists the Stanley Cup after the Lightning's 2-1 win over the Calgary Flames in 2004. AP photo. Click to enlarge.)

Comments

[ted]

thank god

[Michael]

Colt, dont you mean that Torts took a team that had been to the playoffs once and made 4 consecutive playoff apperances, and one Stanley Cup win, before the team fell apart?

[David]

Feaster "Torts is here as long as I'm here"

[Robert]

What a bad move! I like Barry but he is no Torts! It will be a step back with no steps forward. Goaltending is the reason for the decline, not the coach.

[rocky]

Terrible decision...we just got rid of the best coach in the league...

THANK YOU TORTS for bringing us the CUP...

[The Voice of the Turtle]

Torts is, essentially, a hard-working and honest man who had one marvelous moment in the sun. Like him or not, through his words and his style of coaching, few journalists found him to be other than irresistably provocative copy for their stories. He said what he believed about the officiating, the league, his players, and his own management. One could argue with his conclusions, his sensitivities, his language, or his tactfulness; but, not that he always remained inherently sincere to a fault.

This colorful character will, no doubt, reappear behind another NHL bench, and there will likely be a re-enactment of all the agita, frustrations, and tumult that was produced during his tenure in Tampa. He will create both new critics and new devotees, but he will never be boring.

The 2004 Stanley Cup Champion Tampa Bay Lightning team put John Tortorella in the hockey history books. He will surely also be remembered as one of the game's most entertaining characters. No one could ever reject the notion that John Tortorella is a consumate %100 hockey guy.

He had recently been the object of my criticism, but he is now in possession of of my best wishes for a successful career and a fruitful life.

[Francois]

I always liked Torts, too bad his hard head kept getting in the way.
This team needed a new system and Torts never really tried anything other than what he was "sold" on.

For the folks that want Wilson, be careful what you wish for. Yes, he's one of the best technical coaches in the game, he also one of the worst coaches when it comes to handling players. Far too many politics and far too many games.
Yes, he'll win you games, NO, he'll never win the CUP.

Melrose is a perfect blend (I think), and hungry from sitting out so many years. Can't be any worse than Torts.

[sean]

torts needed to stay on the bench
and melrose needed to stay on tv. 3 years of coaching experience with the greatest player of all time isnt great coaching.

[Colt]

This is a good thing. Torts took a playoff team and turned them into LOSERS! He has lost the lockeroom and I know for a fact that Vinny is glad he is gone. Also dont forget that Torts told the Lightning that maybe it was time for a change.. So in fact he quit on this area and this team

[Matt]

Anyone who thinks this is a good move for the team has no idea about hockey. I am not saying it wasn't time for Torts to go, but to think the mullet man could do better things here is ridiculous! I personally like Melrose and his role in hockey, but in no way shape or form think this is a good move.

This new ownership is going to provide the NHL and Lightning fans a gong show in which no one wants to see.

[tom]

A sad day in the Lightning community. John will be missed. He made the guys earn their keep and the Cup. Koules better have his stuff together or there will be empty seats abound in the forum.

[Marino]

They need a new voice in the locker room, but Torts deserved far better than he got.

Feaster and Palace Sports are far more to blame for the demise of this team than Torts ever was. Wait and see how far they sink now. Well, unless Mike Smith carries this team, in which case someone else will get the credit.

...and I bet Koules would take all the credit too. But will he take credit for all those empty seats he's about to see?

[Michael]

This is a sad day in Lightning history. I dont know what they were thinking. Good luck, John. I KNOW you will be sucessful.

[Fast Eddie]

This is the way professional sports is. Joe Torre's style no longer motivated the Yankees. I think Tort's style ran out the same way. Early on the intimidation factor worked, and maybe challenging your manhood worked to win the Cup, especially with Khabibulin, but after awhile that gets old.
On the flip side, Torts could not play goal, Torts could not play defense. This team proved that hot goaltending and decent defensemen would make you a winner. Without that, it's been a loser. It's time for a change.

[Fast Eddie]

This is the way professional sports is. Joe Torre's style no longer motivated the Yankees. I think Tort's style ran out the same way. Early on the intimidation factor worked, and maybe challenging your manhood worked to win the Cup (especially with Khabibulin, but after awhile that gets old.
On the flip side, Torts could not play goal, Torts could not play defense. This team proved that hot goaltending and decent defensemen would make you a winner. Without that, it's been a loser. It's time for a change.

[Top-Shelf Short-Side]

Jesus *bleeping* *bleep*... There are maybe 2 coaches out there that are PROVEN quality coaches that might be able to step in... and Melrose isn't one of them.

Why do you think Ottawa and Toronto want this guy so bad? He can build a team/franchise from the ground up and help them win. This is poor... Mr. Krispy Kreme should have gone, Sully should have gone, Reese should have gone... but no they send away the one guy that can make a difference.

gg Tampa hockey... gg

Most disappointing moment since Espo stepped down as owner.

[Raymond]

I'm glad I didn't renew my season tickets for next year.

[Judi]

If they bring in Melrose, there will be a lot of empty seats, my 4 included. you could not have a better coach than torts ........
interesting to see what Vinny will do now.
what are they thinking!!!!?????
Melrose, give me abreak!

[ajax]

So far I am in love with some of the changes the last few months. Optimism abounds, for now. Pithy. Do not be surprized to see Feaster on his way out also. Another smiley face for me. Pithy.

[Not The Marlboro Man]

Best wishes being the coach of Toronto or Ottawa, to bad you wore out your welcome here, but thats the way it is with a tough hard nose style...tenure usually runs short.