COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Penguins might again face John Tortorella, the firebrand who once called them “one of the most arrogant organizations in the league.”
But it’s becoming increasingly unlikely it will be with the Blue Jackets. Columbus is floundering, coming off a pair of dismal weekend losses to the lowly Red Wings, and Tortorella is in the final year of his contract. With four road games against the Lightning and Panthers on tap, the Blue Jackets’ winningest coach might be out by week’s end if general manager Jarmo Kekalainen believes a playoff spot is still salvageable and the team needs a fresh voice.
The Blue Jackets are a mess. They lack playmaking centers, size and scoring punch. A total rebuild might be in the offing if they can’t get Seth Jones signed to a long-term deal.
Tortorella, 62, is an easy target because of his demanding style — he benched Patrik Laine this year just several games after joining the club from Winnipeg — and his sometimes prickly relationship with the press. (Full disclosure: I covered Tortorella the previous three seasons. He’s incredibly quotable, thoroughly engaging and makes for great copy.)
But a year removed from being a Jack Adams finalist, he hasn’t been able to rouse the Blue Jackets from a season-long funk. Two of the club’s best homegrown players, Josh Anderson and Pierre-Luc Dubois, who helped forged its rugged identity, essentially forced their way out of town through trades. The details are sketchy as to why, but both had difficult contract negotiations with management.
Tortorella has led the franchise to four consecutive postseason appearances and its first playoff series win. His Blue Jackets were eliminated by three eventual Stanley Cup champs (Penguins, Capitals, Lightning) and the Bruins, who reached the 2019 finals.
If this is the end in Columbus, Tortorella merits another shot in the league. His disciplined approach would help clean up the dysfunction in Buffalo. And, here's a wildcard. What if the Flyers continue to hemorrhage goals and decide to eat the remaining years on Alain Vigneault’s contract?
It's unlikely, but can you imagine Mike Sullivan’s buddy coaching the Penguins’ most hated rival?
YOUR TURN: Does Tortorella deserve to be fired? Do you think he coaches in the NHL next year?