We knew what was happening with the coach. While his career peaked almost two decades ago, the team showed progress this season. But, ultimately, this is about what’s needed to reach the next level.
No, I’m not referencing former Sixers coach Doc Rivers. It was obviously time for him to go following the team’s collapse, whether it was his fault or not.
Rather, what exactly are the Flyers doing with John Tortorella?
The new management group has staged an unrelenting media blitz over the past week. We’ve all heard the talking points. Yes, there’s going to be a rebuild. General Manager Danny Briere worked his way up and was always our guy. We hear you, fans, and President of Hockey Operations Keith Jones will bring the Flyers back to relevance. If nothing else, this new management structure has excelled in sticking to its interview game plan.
They’ve also used the term “triumvirate” this week seemingly more often than it’s ever been used in the history of time, referencing the new hockey leadership group of Briere, Jones, and – wait, that can’t be right – Tortorella.
Tortorella did not add a title or even responsibility, but, by nature of his inclusion, ownership confirmed his standing within the organization over the past few weeks.
But why?
Flyers governor Dan Hilferty has been clear the triumvirate was created with the intention of initiating a long-term rebuild, but NHL coaches have typically been tasked to find the solution for today, not tomorrow.
While the NBA coaching churn has gotten a lot of press in recent weeks, this is nothing new for the NHL. Only 10 active coaches have held their position for more than three seasons.
To Tortorella’s credit, he had extended stays in Tampa Bay, New York, and Columbus, though it’s been a long time since he had the kind of success the fan base wants from this rebuild. Torts won a Cup with the Lightning in 2003-04. Since then, he’s won five playoff series in 16 seasons and hasn’t advanced past the second round of the playoffs. He hasn’t finished a season in better than third place in his division in the last decade. He’s finished seventh or eighth three times. The Rangers followed his last season in New York with a run to the Cup Final.
Tortorella did a nice job last year. The Flyers consistently disappointed under Alain Vigneault after the Covid year, but they were more competitive under Tortorella with a less experienced roster and saw a number of young players develop. Despite his reputation, he’s shockingly charming, like a gruff uncle who you know has a good heart. Sure, I may not totally agree with his views on the national anthem, but he likes dogs. When this year started to spiral, he was still endearing by the way he wears the exasperated emotions we feel during games, distinguishing himself from his uptight peers. His was the obvious signature to put on letters to season ticket holders throughout the season.
But this is about where the Flyers are going. Tortorella was the guy on ESPN telling Connor McDavid to shut up about referees, questioning if Trevor Zegras’ skill is good for the sport, and, most relevantly, failing to get more out of proven veterans like Kevin Hayes, Tony DeAngelo, and Travis Sanheim. In Columbus, he was exasperated by Anthony Duclair, who immediately tapped into his offensive potential after the Jackets traded him away from Tortorella.
It’s ancient history – though recent transgressions might suggest he hasn’t changed much – but Tortorella needed then-Lightning GM Jay Feaster to tell him he wasn’t going to trade Vincent Lecavalier (and Lecavalier that he wouldn’t fire Tortorella) to force him to resolve personal issues when the two butted heads prior to his only Stanley Cup. Tortorella had his most success when he had a GM that kept him in check. Will Briere or Jones be able to do that when they receive similar billing?
Torts might make marketing easier to a fan base with an affinity for physical, aggressive play, but considering his recent history of middling on-ice results and regular clashes with prominent players, he may not be the coach to develop a successful team in today’s league. Is this really someone to anoint as one of the three shepherds leading us to the next era of Flyers’ hockey?
No matter the person or even the sport, coaches have a short shelf life. Involving them in long-term decision making doesn’t align with the nature of the position. It takes someone truly special to become a part of a team’s long-term fabric. Despite the promising start, Torts has enough flags to question if he’s that guy. Maybe he’ll develop a perennial contender for the first time since the 2004-05 lockout, but in all likelihood he’ll go the way of Rivers – unceremoniously fired when the team fails to reach its goal. Then maybe we’ll stop hearing about triumvirates.
