Tortorella seems headed for TSN

When I wrote last week that former Lightning coach John Tortorella would be a great television analyst, I was just throwing it out there for the sake of argument. Now, it seems, he really might take such a job.

Andrea Goldstein, spokesperson for Canadian sports giant TSN, (think ESPN north of the border) said the network has "no announcement at this time," but hiring Tortorella is "on our radar."

If it ultimately happens, it seems a nice fit. Tortorella, who most recently interviewed for the Islanders head coaching spot, is smart about the game and can be incredibly engaging, and he certainly has opinions. He also has a lot of cred in Canada, having led Tampa Bay to the 2004 Stanley Cup title and earning league coach of the year honors. No word on how many days Torts, who still has a home in the area, would have to be in Canada or exactly what his duties would entail. Would also assume there would be a clause in his contract to allow him to leave for any coaching vacancy that might come up.

It all will come out when things are finalized one way or another, perhaps in a week or two. The first Lightning game TSN is scheduled to show: Oct. 28 when Tampa Bay goes to Toronto.

Comments

[David]

Much as I'm down on Torts, he isn't going to misbehave as an analyst. He won't be emotionally engaged enough to do that, and he won't be facing a press corps either. Nice cushy job with a host who can complement him so we should see whatever passes as mellow for Torts.

[karma]

Nice Drew. Really showing some maturity and hickey knowledge. John Tortorella has won the most games of any U.S. born hockey coach. Hardly a "one-hit wonder" or "canadien" (sic).

I hope he lands the job- but would prefer to see him on VS which is actually broadcast wider in the US than a few Center Ice games.
(re-posted to correct some grammar).

[karma]

Nice Drew. Really showing some maturity and hickey knowledge. John Tortorella is the has won the most games of any U.S. born hockey coach. Hardly a "one-hit wonder" or "canadien" (sic).

I hope he lands the job- but would prefer to see him on VS which is actually broadcast wider in the US than a few Center Ice games.

[Jim- NJ]

Drew, watch your language- Mary's kids could be reading this!

[JoeG]

Hey DREW,tell us what really think about Torts!

[DREW]

TORTS IS A A-HOLE POLE PUMPER I ASKED HIM TO SIGN MY KIDS SHIRT HE SAID GET OUT OF MY FACE...WELL TORTS GET OUT OF MY TOWN YOU CANADIEN FOUL MOUTH POLE GRABBER I HATED YOU THEN I HATE YOU NOW THE ONLY GOOD OUT OF YOUR HOUSE IS YOUR WIFE YOU SKINNY SKUNK

[DREW]

TORTS ! DUH HES RETARTED DUH TORTS?! HEY TORTSY PACK YOUR BAGS AND GET THE HELL OUT OF TAMPA YOU PANSY YOU ONE HIT WONDER! BRING ON THE MULLET .... HEY GRETZKY SIGN YOUR REINSTATMENT PAPERS AND HOP ON AND AWAY WE GO.........LETS GO LIGHTNING. . ... LETS GO LIGHTNING . . ...

[Mary]

Troll eh? Is that because you look like one or smell like one?

[Troll]

Dear Canada:

Please excuse Mary and her nutcase ramblings. She gets a bit confused after heavy drinking and it seems to linger a lot longer on her than it does others. Also pardon her lack of knowledge of TV, she had to be in the 'special' class.

Seriously speaking, Mary's a douche.

[Marcus]

I wish he could be on an American TV station. He'll fit right in at TSN. I guess I'll just have to go to TSN's Web site to see him again. Maybe he'll be in the booth and we could see him on Versus when it simulcasts TSN's playoff telecasts, IDK.

[Hockey Chic]

Hey Dude or dudette back off Mary. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. If you do not like it stay off the site.

To Mary I am sure the F bomb as you called it will cease and desist as it is TV and he is probably dropping them in the heat of the moment in the games.

Trust me I am like a nun with regard to my mouth when I am not on the ice. Oh my god did I just compare myself to a nun. lol

Mary your coments are always welcome here.

Go Bolts!!

[MAryMaryquitecontrary]

Mary,

Put your kids to sleep and shut up.

[Don in St. Pete]

Torts would have to get permission from the Bolts to talk about or interview for another coaching job. Part of the deal would be if he sign somewhere to coach that the Bolts would no longr pay his salary. I'm not sure what effect being under contract to the bolts would have on his ability to take a sport broadcaster or analyst position.

[léo]

We got no problem with that at all, Mary; it's after eleven o'clock at night; kids should be in bed anyway.
Besides, up north with us?
Bluster only goes so far.
Can't wait to hear HIS hockey-talk.
P.

[Herb]

Torts gets his money no matter what job he takes. The Bolts fired him with a contract that the team will have to honor. The same goes for Jay Feaster and Marc Denis. A signed NHL contract is NOT like a NFL contract that can be thrown out at a team's discretion.

[Bryan]

If you're really that concerned about language with your kids Mary, you better disconnect your cable and keep him from watching any sports, the shows like 24 or anything with violence, etc.

Olin - i'm sure the contract would be somehow nullified if he took the job.

[olin storahund]

.......I wonder if he is hired, would OK Hockey still be responsible for his final year under contract with the Bolt's.?

[Mary]

Hello Canada:

Let's hope you don't get hit with those Tortorella-esque potty-mouthed "F Bombs" for your children to hear on your national TV network. I strongly suggest that before any hiring, your programming people arrange for a psychiatric examination of this guy to go along with any screen testing that they do.

Seriously speaking, I am glad that John (coach of the NHL's worst team in 2007-8) has the chance to connect for a position outside the country. My only concern is that he drew the attention of the Canadians instead of the Russians.

Perfect spot for him. He is great on TV, well liked in Canada and now puts himself in position to pounce on the right job.
He just added some real value to my satellite dish.