The narrative (and betting odds) in October said John Tortorella would be the first NHL coach fired this season. Any modest success to end last season, of which there wasn’t much, would all come crashing down and tempers would flare, they claimed.
People pointed to his short fuse and sometimes prickly attitude with the media, highlighted by one or two outbursts that shouldn't have happened. What critics ignore is a coach who has proven his skill, who sits among the most successful coaches of all time, with 501 wins. Currently, just 21 coaches have more career wins than Tortorella in the NHL.