Ex-Rangers Controversial Head Coach Lands New Job Just One Day Before The NHL Opening-Night
Photo credit: Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images
Former New York Rangers head coach John Tortorella has a new job. After being fired by the Philadelphia Flyers, we weren't sure what he'd do afterwards, as there was speculation he'd return to New York as an assistant. It was announced today on "X" that the controversial coach will be returning to ESPN as an analyst.
Former Rangers Head Coach John Tortorella will be returning to the NHL this season, but not behind the bench.
Instead, he'll be returning to a job he's held previously with ESPN, joining the team as analyst again, after being on the broadcasts for a short stint between coaching jobs, after he was fired by the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2021.
"Known for his candid insights and authentic commentary, Tortorella will bring his deep understanding of the game as a veteran coach with 23 NHL seasons behind the bench, including leading the Tampa Bay Lightning to a Stanley Cup championship in the 2003-04 season," ESPN said in a news release on Monday.
John Tortorella Joins ESPN for the 2025-26 NHL Season
The 67-year-old Stanley Cup-winning coach joined the ESPN broadcasts during the 2021-22 NHL season. His candor led to him making waves, as his perspective, of course, comes from the orthodox school of hockey.
You can't forget how much seeing Trevor Zegras scoring a Michigan goal led to him flipping out live.
We'll be privileged to see him and his typical hot-takes on air again for the 2025-265 NHL season.
Tortorellawas fired by the Philadelphia Flyers after a series of unfortunate events involving Matvei Michkov, Cam York, and a candid interview regarding the rebuild led to his firing.
"I think a coach has to change," Tortorella told NHL.com. "A coach has to show the players respect, that you're not backing off, but you also care about the grind that they just went through, and they're done in another few weeks. That's what I was saying. I don't want to learn how to coach that way. I don't know how to coach that way, and I don't want to learn. If you can keep yourself out of those spots of playing to the end, you won't be good at that."
Now, he'll be back where he can contribute to our entertainment and knowledge of the sport of hockey.
To be honest, it seems like the sport of hockey has long passed coaches like John Tortorella, and his progenitors, Mike Keenan by.
Previously on NY Rangers Insider
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