Torts, Islanders a no-go; Sullivan still in mix

Still on vacation but thought this was interesting enough to post:

For those who believed John Tortorella would be a natural for the Islanders job, think again. Long Island's Newsday reported today that Torts is not on the short list, though former Lightning assistant Mike Sullivan still is.

As Newsday's Greg Logan wrote, "There always was a question whether Tortorella and a team committed to a long-term development plan were the right fit for each other. ... There also would have been a question whether his hard-charging style and impatience would have worked with a team planning to fill some major roles with developing prospects from the organization."

Whatever the reasoning, bottom line for the Lightning is the team is still on the hook for Torts' $1.3-million salary in the last year of his contract.

Still in the running for the Islanders job, according to Newsday, are Sullivan, Bob Hartley, Paul Maurice, Marc Crawford, Gerard Gallant and current AHL coach of the year Scott Gordon.

Comments

[Another Joe]

Torts needs to take the year off and maybe get involved in a different apsect of hockey.Might do him some good to see another side.

[Phil]

Interesting how all the Torts-lovers suggested he could get a job anywhere/anytime... that this was a huge loss for the Lightning and another team would benefit from his dismissal/resignation here.

go bolts.

[ajax]

Good point Phil. There is 20-30% of the blog that is loyal to a fault. Saying anything bad is treason. The mere hint of truism is met with severe backlash. Back in about January or February I really thought Torts was talking himself out of the NHL. He severely crossed the line between motivator and maniac (guess which side I thought he was on) He will be on a short leash when he does return. He needs to rent a film from Blockbuster. It is called "anger management" Funny, he was always seen as such a teacher (wrong) and yet now the inside scoop always refers to him as needing the right fit of getting a talented team over the edge. That description of any coach always dumbfounded me. He can only coach if he has got a B+ talent team? Don't add up to me. I wish him the best of luck, elsewhere.

[PD]

I'd call it 60-70% Ajax

[Boltflasher]

I don't see Torts being a good fit anywhere until after Jan 1 for an underachieving team...

what can we say. Maybe torts has to look at himself in the mirror and see if there are things about his coaching style he needs to change. This might be a wake up call for him. I think a lot of people thought by now he would have another Job some where.

[Patrick]

"There is 20-30% of the blog that is loyal to a fault."

"I'd call it 60-70% Ajax"

I think Ajax is much closer. And I'd say at least 20-30% of the blog are people who are completely devoid of loyalty.

[léo]

I'M the one who suggested Tortie could get a job anywhere, Ajax. No sense blasting others for my call.
I ALSO said that the Isles would be a terrible fit. They dumped Nolan for IGNORING the kids and now Tortie steps in? Hello? Better to ignore than to BASH, wouldn't you agree? Bad fit.
OTTAWA would've been a PERFECT fit, far as I'm concerned. Said that too. Couple of times.
A team of un-motivated veterans that NEEDS a good swift kick in the behind, like Ottawa, and Tortie would SHINE, not with a "mis"-talented team fulla kids. I am POSITIVE that that was the issue in his not being hired in NYI.
So,
Who's left? What team fulla un-motivated veterans has no coach? Few.
With THAT in mind, yes, maybe Tortie should take a year off, might increase his value NEXT year. But what if there are no teams fulla un-motivated veterans with no coach NEXT year?
In the NHL, ESPECIALLY for coaches: You snooze; you lose.
Bottom-line? The man can COACH at the NHL level. I refuse to believe that the other teams don't know this. I mean... I know it! And I'm in Mtl.
So if there NO teams perfectly suited for him and that the discussions revolve around that, and they CLEARLY show what his strenghts are, does it mean he's "untalented" if he's not hired?
I don't think so.
Nolan, ok. He apparently pees people off. Does Tortie?
I don't think so.
He'll be back. Jeez, he has to.
P.

[Tony]

I'm not saying Torts is a great coach or a good fit but the way the Islanders are run it's no surprise...

[Bryan]

I think a big point against him is the obvious fact that for a few seasons after the lockout he still refused to adapt his system to the talent that was around him. A good coach motivates, a great coach defines roles for players by polishing the positives and shrouding the negatives. Look at detroit, they've filled a team up with guys that have become "role" kind of guys. Get in where you fit in, so to speak.

When JT actually shows the ability to adapt his system to the players he has had dealt to him, he will no longer be such a high risk. You don't play like you have a flush all the time when you've only got 2 pair.

[sabrebolt]

Okay did anybody really think a coach such as Torts would be a serious contender with a crazy GM and nutty owner. Remember, Teddy Nolan was unable to express himself. How the hell could anyone imagine honest to fault Torts in that setting. No, the Isles will put a tombstone in front of another coaches career door. Go Bolts

[sabrebolt]

PS: Torts is far from perfect but I haven't heard of anyone wanting to give that Stanley Cup back.

[Twinebulge]

He did do pretty well coaching the ragtag gaggle of guys in 03-04 that nobody gave a snowball's chance in hell of winning the Cup....obviously it's now safe to say that was only a fluke, and they won despite Torts rather than because of him, but he got the Jack Adams all the same

Next month....HOCKEY

[Not the Marlboro Man]

Torts would have excelled as the LA Kings head coach. Youth, no discipline and allot of work to do. Torts could have pulled them out of the cellar and made them contenders. Tortorella, however is not a player's coach and he's all business when it comes to his teams. He's not going to be an easy fit for most.

[Hockey Chic]

I am in agreement with most that say that Torts best option is to lay low for a year even though we are paying him to do so.

This would give his reputation as a hot head to simmer down so to speak. I liked the guy and while the coach had a great deal to do with the cup win, it is the players that accomplished the task not the coach.

Twiney, I am with you in the count down for hockey. I keep watching the Olympics and the closest thing to hockey is water polo. Hockey Gods please help us....

Please let this month and next mosey along quickly.. Go Bolts...

[paul]

Torts is smart. He will sit back - collect his $1.3M salary and wait until December when other teams start letting coaches go. He then will be able to set his own terms and deal! He's still a great coach and has won the cup!

[PD]

Agree Paul.
He can pick his spot.

[David]

If by pick his spot, you mean his spot on the couch, yes.

I'm no fan of Torts, but I actually did think he'd have a job really quickly because there are situations in which he will be an effective coach. I thought kicking lazy superstar butt in Ottawa would be perfect for him.

Maybe the NHL general managers don't think as highly of him as we thought.

He will work again, the NHL excels at recycling coaches, even when they can't coach well. I'm not so sure now that he will be able to pick the spot he wants though.

Ted Nolan spent a long time in the wilderness!