Confirmed with Link: Tortorella Won’t Return as Head Coach

[Jive Pawnbroker]

Torts did the best that he could with what he was given to work with and he deserves credit for that.

Happy Trails, Torts.

 

[Double-Shift Lasse]

Lots of good thoughts in here. Well said, denizens.

I posted the following on the mains thinking it was this thread, so I’ll just copy/paste.

I was another skeptic. I’d seen the show, and didn’t want to abide it in Columbus. I was also unconvinced that the kind of coach I was told he would be would prove beneficial to the CBJ.

Clearly, that was wrong to some extent, but what I noted — and what those in others cities failed to, and that’s OK I guess because I wouldn’t have either if I hadn’t been forced to by proximity and fandom — was that he was not the same shitshow. I wouldn’t say he was kinder OT gentler, but perhaps wiser.

So I’ll admit I was wrong, but I’ll also point out that the Torts we got in Columbus was a different Torts.

 

[cslebn]

This feels like a true end of something. Like, I don't know if I should feel sad, happy, relieved, etc.

Torts absolutely earned the accolades he received in Columbus. He made teams better and honestly I doubt we'll be able to get anyone else of his caliber.

That said, Torts also want able to adjust systems or make adjustments in game well sometimes other than using a line blender. There were things he had no answer for and it was clear he's not what the current group needs (though the heart asks what if he had a real off-season to work these guys).

In the end, I'll miss his passion and fire (though it caused trouble sometimes). Here's to hoping everyone moves on to better things.

 

[JacketLife]

Good decision, Torts. This way it’s easier for you to go into Buffalo as a plant to alienate Eichel so he wants out.
But in all seriousness, Torts did a lot for this organization and his press conferences will be missed.

 

[CBJfan4evr]

Last one out please be sure to turn off the lights. Good on Torts to move on... on his terms. CBJ have been bleeding Admin staff, coaches and players for a few years now. I don't care who the coach is the team as constructed has problems. Jarmo better hope there is a rabbit in the hat or we'll be welcoming a new GM next year at this time.

 

[ThisIsMyAlibi]

I just can’t stop thinking about all the awful HC’s we’ve had in the past. Torts was rigid with the style of play he wanted. But his coaching acumen, his ability to command respect despite his hardass personality was never in question. There’s a great chance the next HC stinks and the players don’t play as hard.

The fact is, Torts never had a championship level roster to play with.

 

[CBJWerenski8]

 

[Jive Pawnbroker]

I just can’t stop thinking about all the awful HC’s we’ve had in the past. Torts was rigid with the style of play he wanted. But his coaching acumen, his ability to command respect despite his hardass personality was never in question. There’s a great chance the next HC stinks and the players don’t play as hard.

The fact is, Torts never had a championship level roster to play with.

The only roster that even came close was in 2019 and they were only together for what, two months?

 

[CBJWerenski8]

 

[MissADD]

This season was not smooth by any stretch of the means and a change was needed, but that doesn't diminish anything that Torts did for this franchise. He helped bring stability here and coach the team to the longest run of success they've ever had. Thank You Torts!!!!

 

[MAHJ71]

Maybe a separate thread but I have not seen any names floated today regarding his replacement...(outside of what this board has thrown against the wall in the prior months)

Let the speculation begin

 

[CBJx614]

Maybe a separate thread but I have not seen any names floated today regarding his replacement...(outside of what this board has thrown against the wall in the prior months)

Let the speculation begin

I was thinking the same thing so I made a new thread lol

 

[CBJWerenski8]

 

[CBJWerenski8]

 

[NotWendell]

I'm curious if any FORMER CBJ players offer similar feels.

 

[Iron Balls McGinty]

Add Elvis to that list. I just he shared the same image that Seth Jones and Gavrikov shared on their IG stories.

 

[JacketsDavid]

Torts was a better version of Hitch for the CBJ. He lasted longer and had more success. Still not sure if he was a better Coach than Hitch, especially when you look at the rosters each had.
But he (Torts) has been the most successful coach the CBJ has had.
I wish him all the best, he certainly got the best out of the early teams he coached here (winning streak notably).

 

[Halberdier]

Torts has been a great coach and for sure still is. It's a shame that he could not carve any meaningful offensive zone system this season. The team was totally clueless most of the time after gaining the offensive zone. Or then they had the wrong "clue" and got into the corners achieving nothing.

Did Torts throw the towel in after the "slow" start for the season?

 

[majormajor]

Torts was a better version of Hitch for the CBJ. He lasted longer and had more success. Still not sure if he was a better Coach than Hitch, especially when you look at the rosters each had.
But he (Torts) has been the most successful coach the CBJ has had.
I wish him all the best, he certainly got the best out of the early teams he coached here (winning streak notably).

I'm not sure if last year's IR team was better than the rosters Hitch had to work with.

 

[db2011]

I'm pretty bummed but not surprised. I am happy to know it was Torts's decision, if that speculation is true.

He did so much for this team. I'll be rooting for him wherever he goes.

 

[spintheblackcircle]

 

[Frank8]

Torts is a perfect fit for Buffalo, given the state of their team. He could do a lot to help change the culture there.

I disagree. Grenato's strategy has been to let the skilled guys play to their strengths and the team is playing much better because of it. Dahlin, for instance, finally looks like himself and Mittelstadt is finally showing what he could be.

 

[Iron Balls McGinty]

I disagree. Grenato's strategy has been to let the skilled guys play to their strengths and the team is playing much better because of it. Dahlin, for instance, finally looks like himself and Mittelstadt is finally showing what he could be.

Can we have Don Granato then? He is a former Columbus Chill player.

 

[JacketsDavid]

Sounds like Dolan likes Torts - potentially a return for him to NYR?

 

[koteka]

Sounds like Dolan likes Torts - potentially a return for him to NYR?

This is what I was wondering. Torts might have gone to the opposing locker room and tried to fight Laviolette after the stuff with Wilson. If Dolan wants grit...