COLUMBUS, OH - JULY 15: Columbus Blue Jackets Head Coach John Tortorella skating during training camp on July 15, 2020, at the OhioHealth Ice Haus in Columbus, Ohio. Photo by Jason Mowry/Icon Sportswire NHL, Eishockey Herren, USA JUL 15 Blue Jackets Training Camp Icon200715033
COLUMBUS, OH - JULY 15: Columbus Blue Jackets Head Coach John Tortorella skating during training camp on July 15, 2020, at the OhioHealth Ice Haus in Columbus, Ohio. Photo by Jason Mowry/Icon Sportswire NHL, Eishockey Herren, USA JUL 15 Blue Jackets Training Camp Icon200715033
John Tortorella has broken his silence regarding his exit from the Vegas Golden Knights. He opened up in an interview with The Athletic, discussing his final meeting with general manager Kelly McCrimmon after the Stanley Cup Final in detail.
Vegas lost the Stanley Cup Final to the Carolina Hurricanes in six games after leading 2-1. Two days after Game 6, McCrimmon told Tortorella that Ryan Craig would be taking over as the head coach.
“I guess the word I’d use is ‘Disappointed,’” said Tortorella. “I was honest with Kelly. We met the next morning (after Game 6) … Kelly is very honest, and he let me know within one minute of sitting down in that meeting; he basically told me, ‘Ryan Craig is coaching the team next year.’"
COLUMBUS, OH - JANUARY 04: Columbus Blue Jackets Head Coach John Tortorella during training camping held at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio on January 4, 2021. Photo by Jason Mowry/Icon Sportswire NHL, Eishockey Herren, USA JAN 04 Blue Jackets Training Camp Icon2101040093
COLUMBUS, OH - JANUARY 04: Columbus Blue Jackets Head Coach John Tortorella during training camping held at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio on January 4, 2021. Photo by Jason Mowry/Icon Sportswire NHL, Eishockey Herren, USA JAN 04 Blue Jackets Training Camp Icon2101040093
Tortorella elaborated on their conversation and how he had to accept his fate despite wanting to continue.
“I told him what I thought, and we had an honest conversation. I truly respect where the organisation is going. We didn’t finish the job, and I wanted some more time with that club to try to finish the job. That’s not my call. That’s the general manager and president’s call. You just get about your business after that,” the 68-year-old told The Athletic.
Tortorella took the job on March 29 to replace Bruce Cassidy. Vegas won seven of its final eight games and claimed the Pacific Division title. They then beat the Utah Mammoth and Anaheim Ducks, and defeated the Presidents' Trophy-winning Colorado Avalanche to reach the Final.
Tortorella made it clear that the decision belonged to management, not to him. As for his successor, a plan was always in the works.
Ryan Craig takes over the Knights
Ryan Craig was officially hired as the Vegas Golden Knights' head coach on June 17. He is the fifth head coach in the team’s history.
Before this, Craig spent three seasons coaching the Henderson Silver Knights, Vegas' AHL affiliate. He has previously worked as a Golden Knights assistant coach from 2017 to 2023 and won the Stanley Cup with the club during his final season.
According to the NHL, his connection to McCrimmon is even longer, as Craig once played for the Brandon Wheat Kings, where McCrimmon was the owner and general manager.
Vegas clearly expects to continue with Craig, as he knows the organisation well and he now gets to guide a roster that fell just two wins short of a championship.
What do you think of how Vegas handled the coaching change? Let us know in the comments below.
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Written by
Aadhya Nalla
Edited by
Yash Kotak