Tortorella, Laviolette the right coaches to have in times like these

John Tortorella
It’s a bit ironic, a tad coincidental and a pinch of just how great these two coaches really are.
We’re referring to the New York Rangers’ Peter Laviolette and the Flyers’ John Tortorella.
They are the first- and second-winningest U.S.-born coaches, respectively and respectfully, in National Hockey League history.
During their storied careers, both have won Stanley Cups, run up amazing win totals and coached both the Rangers and Flyers.
They are sure-shot/first-ballot Hall of Famers and have nothing left to prove.
When their careers are over, they will be right up there with the icons of the sport, legends such as Scotty Bowman, Joel Quenneville, Barry Trotz and Al Arbour.
Currently, Laviolette ranks seventh on the all-time wins list with 823 and Tortorella ninth at 756.
All this brings us to the current state of affairs. Both the teams of Tortorella and Laviolette are on the outside of the Eastern Conference playoff bubble looking in.
The Rangers, who won the Presidents’ Trophy last year in Laviolette’s first season on Broadway, were predicted to do great things this season. And the start looked promising. But since last month the Blueshirts have been in freefall, losing 11 of 15 games.
Meanwhile, things aren’t looking much brighter for Tortorella’s Flyers.
As of Friday, through 33 games, the Broad Street gang finds itself back under .500 again.
There isn’t quite as much pressure to win in Philadelphia as there is in New York because the Flyers are still in their much-documented rebuild.
But four straight non-playoff seasons are four straight non-playoff seasons (two under Tortorella) and if the Flyers make it five and tie the franchise record for ineptitude, the chair in the coaches’ office over in Voorhees, N.J. is going to get very warm.
Funny thing about it is, neither Tortorella nor Laviolette just figured out this coaching thing yesterday. They’ve been through these types of situations before, for many years, and have always found a way to eventually get things straightened out.
The same can’t be said for New York GM Chris Drury or Philadelphia GM Daniel Briere.
Both are finding their way when it comes to team-building. It’s their first go in the power chair.
Drury is getting criticism for some of the moves he did (and didn’t) make in the offseason. Recently, he did unload team captain Jacob Trouba and Kaapo Kakko after making it known that just about every player on the roster was eligible for a new address.
Whether that ploy works or not remains to be seen. The Rangers have won one Stanley Cup (1994) since 1940 and patience, particularly with the fan base, wears thin when the team is not in contention.
Meanwhile, Briere is getting a bit of a pass because he has a mandate from ownership to take as long as it’s necessary to build a steady contender, one which will challenge for a championship on a yearly basis.
Tortorella is signed through the 2025-26 season. He maintains this is likely his last roundup but it’s no secret he would like to get the Flyers back into contention before he leaves, much like he did with the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Of course, the Flyers and Rangers have not even played half of their seasons yet. A lot can happen. New York could still turn this thing around and it has the coach to do it. Don’t forget, it was Laviolette who came in here in December, 2009, restored order and eventually took the Flyers all the way to Game 6 of the 2010 Stanley Cup Final before falling to Chicago.
Likewise Tortorella with the Flyers. Not too long ago, last season in fact, the Boston native had the Flyers in one of the eight playoff spots for 124 days before a late eight-game collapse in April.
He’s been here well into his third season and from listening to him day after day, week after week, one can sense he wants to see the job through. He’s coaching, but more importantly, he’s teaching. By that we mean, getting the players to understand how critical it is to follow a structure, a plan and execute it with a purpose.
Both the Flyers and Rangers are fortunate to have outstanding mentors at the helms in critical times like these.
They got to the top of the hockey mountain by knowing what they’re doing.

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About Wayne Fish 2701 Articles
Wayne Fish has been covering the Flyers since 1976, a stint which includes 18 Stanley Cup Finals, four Winter Olympics and numerous other international events.