Tortorella linked to head coaching job in Philadelphia

It's fair to say just 23 games into the 2021-22 season that the entire campaign is a complete waste for the Philadelphia Flyers.

The Flyers are at the basement of the NHL's Metropolitan Division alongside the New York Islanders with an 8-11-4 record and a miserable nine game losing streak. Head coach Alain Vigneault has been fired and even local police dogs are taking fat dumps on the Flyers' logo at Wells Fargo Center. In other words: Things can't get much worse.

Interim head coach Mike Yeo is calling the shots behind the bench right now, but multiple NHL insiders are beginning to report on the possibility of veteran coach John Tortorella, who is currently employed as an analyst for ESPN.

Sportsnet NHL insider Elliotte Friedman on Tortorella and the Flyers:

There’ve been differing internal opinions and supporters of Bruce Boudreau (now moot), Jim Montgomery, Rick Tocchet and John Tortorella. It’s possible Mike Yeo gets the rest of the season, as Philadelphia figures out its best path. (I always worry a line like this gets published and 15 minutes later, is totally wrong.) Some players felt the preference for dump-and-chase hockey limited them, and, if Yeo’s first game is any indication, they’ll get the opportunity to prove it. But, if it doesn’t work? They’ve already made major moves and a coaching change. What’s next that could make a real difference?

- Elliotte Friedman

Call me crazy, but I think Torts is exactly what this Flyers team needs to get back on track. Like the now departed Vigneault, Tortorella has a history of getting results from his teams right away, but he does have a shelf life. To me, the Flyers don't look like they're headed to rebuild territory given their veteran roster and I truly believe that Tortorella can push the right buttons to get this team back in the mix.

Now, can Torts get the Flyers into the playoffs? That's a tall task, but it's not impossible. I'll tell you one thing though, Tortorella will have this team playing every game like they're already in the playoffs and if there's someone who's going to help them make a push it's Torts. Thoughts, Flyers fans?