The Lightning have officially let Head Coach John Tortorella go and the Stanley Cup winning coach is now available to be signed. It’s a sad day even though it may be welcomed by some fans and players. Torts was always a very strict coach who required alot of his players, made everyone accountable and is as stubborn as it gets. All of these traits, which may have led to his firing, were key in the Bolts’ Playoff run in 2004 which eventually ended with the Lightning hoisting the Stanley Cup Trophy. Torts coached here in Tampa Bay for 6 and 1/2 seasons leading the team to four straight playoff appearances and compiled a career record of 239 wins, 222 losses, 36 ties and 38 OT losses. The Lightning made the big show under Torts from ‘02-03 to ‘06-’07, of course winning it all in ‘04. The Bolts finished last in the NHL last season and as the season went on it appeared the players had stopped listening. I’m sad to see him go but I’m not completely disappointed in it. I will be if the geniuses up top do decide to bring in Barry Melrose. Melrose is as useless a head coach you can find today. Bringing him in would essentially be the same thing as the Bucs firing Jon Gruden to bring in John Madden. I would rather see them go after someone with a little more actual experience. Let’s leave Melrose in the booth please. All in all it was a great run with the dictator and I know I’ll miss him. It won’t take him long to snatch up work so I won’t shed any tears but I do wish him well. Thanks for the Cup Torts, we all appreciate it here!

Scott Brannelly

Source: Tampa Bay Lightning Official Site