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Tortorella Will Miss Being On Bolts' Bench

WFLA photo by Bob Hansen

Jay Feaster discusses the Lightning's decision to terminate coach John Tortorella Wednesday afternoon.

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By ERIK ERLENDSSON

The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 5, 2008

TAMPA - John Tortorella already feels the void.

Less than 24 hours after being fired, the most successful coach in Lightning history expressed disappointment he won't be behind the Tampa Bay bench next season helping lead another turnaround.

"I don't think the team is far away, and I wanted to be part of the solution in trying to get that turned around, but unfortunately a few other people didn't agree with me, and here we are," Tortorella said during a national conference call Wednesday.

Tortorella, who led the team to the 2004 Stanley Cup, was let go Tuesday after weeks of speculation he was on the way out with new ownership on the way in. The sale of the team to OK Hockey, headed by Oren Koules, is expected to gain final NHL approval June 18.

Despite being held in limbo for the better part of the past month, Tortorella had nothing but positive things to say about his time in Tampa.

"We spent six, seven years in what I thought was an absolute comedy show when we started with it - and built it to a viable, competitive team, winning a conference, winning some division titles, winning a Stanley Cup, and then you leave it now. You know, that's difficult," Tortorella said. "It's part of you and always will be part of me.

"There are no complaints as far as how I've been treated there by everybody - the fans, the media and the organization. This is all part of the business here. So, I'll miss that. I'll miss, especially, being around the players, because we've gone through ups and downs as a group of men for a long time here. But I think, especially with the core, we've come to an understanding and I think there is a mutual respect there. There is definitely respect on my part to them."

As disappointed as Tortorella was about being dismissed from what he loves to do, it's likely he won't be out of a job long. His reputation for being able to turn the Lightning around and his no-nonsense approach to holding players accountable on the ice - not to mention a Stanley Cup title and Coach of the Year award - will be enough to land him another job.

Reporters covering NHL teams in Toronto, Ottawa and Florida were on Wednesday's conference call, and each asked Tortorella if he had any interest in those vacant positions. Canadian television reported Wednesday that San Jose has asked for permission to speak to Tortorella about replacing Ron Wilson, and positions also are open in Atlanta and Colorado. Because Tortorella has one year remaining on his contact, interested teams must contact the Lightning seeking permission to speak to Tortorella.

But since Tampa Bay would be off the hook for his $1.3 million salary for next season should he find another coaching position, the Lightning won't stand in the way if other teams call.

Tortorella, meanwhile, pleaded his ignorance about the process of acquiring another coaching position. Without an agent to promote him, he said he doesn't intend to burn up the phone lines lobbying for himself, so he is eagerly awaiting to see what kind of interest there is in his services.

"I'm not too interested in just sitting around and just collecting a paycheck," he said. "I want to work."

As far as the next Lightning coach, Tortorella threw his weight behind current Tampa Bay associate coach Mike Sullivan, who is under contract with the Lightning. This despite media reports out of Canada indicating a deal is in place to hire ESPN analyst and former Los Angeles coach Barry Melrose.

"Look under your nose," Tortorella said. "Mike Sullivan, I think, is just a tremendous coach. There's no question as far as what he can do for a hockey club, and no one even speaks of him. That boggles my mind."

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

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