as someone in the minority that was against firing torts, i have to say av did his job. the guy, overall, is a good coach. i do have a ton of issues with how he handles his locker room/personalities (ie removing any semblance of toughness/self defense in the name of sportsmanship or something - but this is pro sports and, in my experience, a huge part of a successful team is a locker room that has each others backs), but he certainly outperformed against the nhl benchmark during his tenure excepting these last few months post blowup. i'm not advocating becoming the broad street bullies, but a couple games a year when everything is stacked against you between the refs and bs hits (ie nashville) you have to draw a line in the sand and push back. if that means 5 guys getting tossed in the 3rd of a game thats already lost, so be it - the camaraderie built in those moments is the glue that holds rooms together when you're down 3-2 and going on the road in an april series.
all that said, i'm probably obviously fine with canning him. but thats only assuming there's a plan in place for his replacement. we weren't winning the cup next year anyway and he's a known commodity. if you don't have a target lined up than i'd say keep him another year and take that time to really map out/evaluate/figure the probability of accepting an offer of your targets. but if that due diligence is done and gorton has his man in mind/a good idea he can get said man, well then lets ride. i think gorton is a phenominal gm - so if he's got someone in mind, i think that someone will do very well here.
