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Tortorella Out Of Limbo - And A Job

WFLA photo by BOB HANSEN

Jay Feaster announces the fate of John Tortorella during a press conference in Tampa.

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By ERIK ERLENDSSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 4, 2008

Updated: 06/04/2008 12:17 am

TAMPA - After weeks of sitting in coaching limbo, Lightning coach John Tortorella was fired by the team Tuesday after a meeting with General Manager Jay Feaster, making official what had been reported over the weekend.

Tortorella, who in 2004 led the Lightning to their lone Stanley Cup championship, ends his Tampa Bay career as the team's all-time leader in games coached (535), victories (239), playoff games (45) and playoff victories (24). But at the end of the 2007-08 season that resulted in a last-place finish, he indicated to Feaster that perhaps it was time for a new voice in the Lightning locker room. Even though Tortorella recanted and indicated his desire to remain with the team in order to fulfill the final year on his contract, Feaster said a change was needed.

"It's a difficult decision, but a decision that isn't driven by where we were but where we feel we need to go," Feaster said.

Tortorella was not available for comment Tuesday but is expected to address the media in a conference call this morning. Associate coach Mike Sullivan and goaltending coach Jeff Reese remain under contract with the team, Feaster said, although it is typical for a head coach to bring in his own assistants.

Tampa Bay now will turn its attention to finding a replacement who can help bring the Lightning back to contender status. With the likelihood of an 18-year-old budding star in center Steven Stamkos joining the organization as soon as next season as the No. 1 overall draft pick June 20, the Lightning will have a key ingredient in helping with a turnaround.

And because of other expected changes, including the influx of other young players once ownership changes hands, altering the direction from the coaching office became an apparent necessity.

"In terms of where we are and where we need to go and some of the young players we are going to be bringing in here and some of the changes I anticipate will happen once the new owners come in here, the idea of extending John's contract wasn't an option," Feaster said.

Rumors of a pending three-year deal with former Los Angeles Kings coach and current ESPN analyst Barry Melrose continue to circulate, although they continue to be just hearsay, according to Feaster.

"I don't know that answer to that question about Barry Melrose. I'm reading it just like all of you and I've heard that it's a done deal," Feaster said when asked about the rumor. "I have asked that question of future owner Oren Koules and have been told twice that there is no deal in place and that rumor is not true.

"I respect the fact that the new ownership group has been told by the commissioner not to act like owners until you own it. ... I'd be surprised if they had something already done, given that directive from the commissioner."

Instead, Feaster is expected to meet with Koules and partner Len Barrie shortly after the sale is approved, either before or after the June 20-21 draft. At that time, the two sides are expected to exchange ideas of what type of coach would best fit the team.

Tortorella was the perfect fit for the Lightning when he was hired halfway through the 2000-01 season, with strong opinions and ideas on what direction the team should take. The culture inside the locker room took a drastic turn, as did the team's fortunes on the ice when Tampa Bay qualified for the postseason in Tortorella's second full season.

But after turning around a perennial loser and building a championship team that qualified for the playoffs four consecutive seasons, Tampa Bay fell back to the bottom last season with a league-low 31 victories and 71 points. The losing took its toll on everybody involved in the hockey operations staff, particularly the head coach. By the end of the season the players were showing frustration and Tortorella and Feaster no longer agreed on many issues.

Feaster said he already has been contacted by one team seeking permission to speak to Tortorella. In addition, Feaster said he expects to contact teams with coaching openings Tortorella has expressed interest in exploring. Teams that have openings include Atlanta, Ottawa, Colorado, San Jose, Toronto and Florida. Tortorella's name has been linked to division rival Atlanta because of ties to Thrashers GM Don Waddell, as well as Ottawa.

Reporter Erik Erlendsson can be reached at (813) 259-7835 or eerlendsson@tampatrib.com.

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