Breaking: The New York Rangers have fired head coach John Tortorella, following their second round loss to the Boston Bruins.
After finishing first in the East in 2011-12, and then acquiring premier sniper Rick Nash, it was widely expected that the Rangers would make a run at the Stanley Cup this year. That didn’t happen, and now their head coach has paid the price. Russ McKenzie took a look at the Rangers struggles earlier today.
It was a disappointing season in New York, mainly due to an offence that just wouldn’t click. The powerplay was amongst the worst in the NHL, and its failures in the second round loss to Boston were especially troubling. In a series where nearly every game was close heading into the third period, the total inability to score with the man advantage can be seen as a major reason for the loss.
Tortorella was also unable to get scoring out of star sniper Marian Gaborik, and number 1 centre Brad Richards, two players with huge contracts and cap hits. This eventually led to Gaborik being dealt at the trade deadline to the Columbus Blue Jackets, and Richards being played on the fourth line in the playoffs and then finally benched for the Rangers final two games. The inability to get production out of these two highly paid stars, is ultimately being born by the coach, and has led to his dismissal.
Tortorella relied on a defence first system that played tough hockey and blocked a lot of shots. He was also blessed with one of the best goalies in the NHL in Henrik Lundqvist. Ultimately though, you need to score goals, and the Rangers quite simply did not score enough under Tort’s system. This is what has led to his undoing.
We’ll miss the Tortorella vs the media (mostly Larry Brooks) sideshow that was ever present after Rangers games, but ultimately this was the best move for the future of this hockey club. There are a lot of highly hyped and well paid offensive pieces in place on this club, and the next coach must find a system where they can produce goals.
Tortorella was hired by the Rangers in 2009. He came to the team after a stint on the TSN hockey panel, and following his firing as head coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning. He won the Stanley Cup in 2004.
No replacement has been named, but it is expected that names like Lindy Ruff, and Alain Vigneault will get looks from Glen Sather and the Rangers’ front office.
Stay tuned, more to come as we get info.
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