More behind the scenes drama led to John Tortorella getting fired

On Thursday morning, John Tortorella was relieved of his duties as head coach of the Philadelphia Flyers. When the decision was made, it did not surprise many. Two nights prior, after an ugly 7-2 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs, Torts had looked hopeless, blaming himself and even questioning his ability to coach the Flyers.

“This falls on me. I’m not really interested in learning how to coach in this type of season, where we’re at right now. But I have to do a better job. So this falls on me, getting the team prepared to play the proper way until we get to the end.”

As soon as the Flyers confirmed that Tortorella was out as head coach, fans and pundits immediately started to wonder if his blunt honesty got him fired.

Pierre LeBrun went on to answer everyone’s question whether Torts was fired because of those words or just because of how bad the Flyers have been on Insider Trading on TSN.

“ There was more behind the scenes in the lead-up to all this, but it really escalated since then. And my understanding is that there were conversations and comments made by Tortorella with management behind the scenes that culminated with the decision to fire him. And, you know, what’s interesting is that publicly, there were a lot of comments from Tortorella in the last few weeks, saying he understood the rebuild and the patience that it took. But behind the scenes, what we’re learning now is that there was a lot of frustration and not everyone saw eye-to-eye on how things were playing out here as the Flyers really struggle to the end of the season.”

LeBrun went on to explain how general manager Danny Briere’s plan was to wait until after the season to sit down with Torts and see where he is physically and mentally, despite the year left on his contract. However, management felt it was time to make a call now.

“This got forced on Flyers’ management to act now. And, in the end, there is not a coaching search underway quite yet. This is how sort of surprised I think management was that they had to do this now, but they will undertake one. Brad Shaw, the interim head coach, will be considered an in-house candidate, but I don’t think he’ll be a front runner.”

When it comes to candidates for the head coaching position in Philly, rumours have already linked Vancouver Canucks bench boss Rick Tocchet to the franchise. Tocchet is in the final year of his current deal in Vancouver, with the Canucks owning a club option for next season. He won the Jack Adams Award last season after the Canucks finished atop the Pacific Division with a 50-23-9 record.

Tocchet spent 11 seasons with the Flyers over two stints during his playing career. He won a Stanley Cup with the Pittsburgh Penguins back in 1992 after a trade with Phildelaphia, but returned to the organization during the 1999-2000 season.

As soon as Tortorella was let go earlier on Thursday, speculation has quickly tied Tocchet to the coaching job in Philly.
But not so fast explained Chris Johnston on the show:

“That search may not be underway yet, Pierre, but people are already connecting Rick Tocchet - who’s still coaching games for the Vancouver Canucks last I checked - to the Flyers. And look, I can understand it - a former Flyer and all that stuff. But I do think that kind of talk is premature and there’s still a process to play out between Tocchet and the Canucks. Obviously, the coach’s focus, first of all, [is] on trying to make the playoffs. They had a big win on Wednesday night on the road trip. I do think he is in the here-and-now. But beyond that fact, Tocchet does have a team option for next season. The team has to make a decision a couple days after the season. They’ve engaged with him on a possible extension. I just don’t think that Tocchet knows exactly what he wants to do yet. So, perhaps there is a world after the season is said and done that he is a free agent, but that is premature. Other candidates - you might look around, though. Think about a Joel Quenneville - been on the sidelines for a long time, since last summer being cleared to work in the NHL again. Or, maybe even someone like David Carle, an up-and- comer, won a gold medal with team USA at the recent World Junior tournament - although he doesn’t have NHL experience and I do believe that’s something the Flyers are going to prioritize here.”

So much happening around Torts’ dismissal in Philadelphia!