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Flyers Rumors: John Tortorella Offered Head Coaching Job; Barry Trotz Also Contender

Jun 15, 2022
FILE - In this Oct. 5, 2019, file photo, Columbus Blue Jackets head coach John Tortorella objects to a call during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Pittsburgh. With top-line center Pierre-Luc Dubois signed to a new contract and a solid second-line puck-handler Max Domi in place, the Columbus Blue Jackets will try to reach the NHL playoffs for the fifth straight season under coach John Tortorella. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)
FILE - In this Oct. 5, 2019, file photo, Columbus Blue Jackets head coach John Tortorella objects to a call during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Pittsburgh. With top-line center Pierre-Luc Dubois signed to a new contract and a solid second-line puck-handler Max Domi in place, the Columbus Blue Jackets will try to reach the NHL playoffs for the fifth straight season under coach John Tortorella. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)

John Tortorella, who owns 20 years of NHL head coaching experience, has reportedly been offered the opportunity to lead the Philadelphia Flyers staff.

ESPN's Kevin Weekes reported Tuesday the sides are in "late-stage negotiations" about a contract for Tortorella to take over as the team's head coach for the 2022-23 season. TSN's Pierre LeBrun added further talks are set for Thursday.

Philadelphia narrowed its search to Tortorella and Barry Trotz, another high-profile coaching veteran, over the weekend, per Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff.

The Flyers failed to reach the playoffs each of the past two seasons and haven't advanced beyond the Eastern Conference Semifinals since reaching the Stanley Cup Final in 2010.

They fired head coach Alain Vigneault in December after three seasons, and interim replacement Mike Yeo was dismissed at the end of the 2021-22 campaign, when Philly posted a 25-46-11 record, the NHL's fourth-worst mark.

Hiring a head coach will be the start of a busy offseason for Philadelphia, which must also name a new captain after trading Claude Giroux to the Florida Panthers.

In May, Flyers general manager Chuck Fletcher noted handing out the "C" isn't a high priority.

"That's about No. 20 on our list right now. We'll get into that," Fletcher told reporters. "My assumption is we'll get through this summer, get closer to training camp, sit down and make that assessment."

More important for the franchise, which won its most recent championship in 1975, is finding a way to reinvigorate the roster.

"It is being aggressive in all phases. Certainly, part of it is we need to get younger, we have to get more talented," said Fletcher, who was hired as GM in 2018. "We have to get faster. We have to aggressively look at trades, free agency, and can we add a couple players to supplement what we have here and make this team better."

Hiring the fiery Tortorella would be an effort to change the culture in Philly's locker room.

The 63-year-old has compiled a 673-541-37-132 career record (.548 winning percentage) across 1,383 games as a head coach with the New York Rangers, Tampa Bay Lightning, Columbus Blue Jackets and Vancouver Canucks.

Tortorella is a two-time winner of the Jack Adams Award as the NHL's best coach, taking home the honor in 2003-04 with the Lightning—who won their first Cup title—and 2016-17 with Blue Jackets.

The Boston native mutually parted ways with Columbus following the 2020-21 season and spent the past year as a hockey analyst for ESPN.

Trotz owns a 914-670-60-168 record (.567) from stints with the Nashville Predators, Washington Capitals and New York Islanders. He guided the Caps to the 2018 Stanley Cup title.

The 59-year-old Canadian was let go by the Isles at the conclusion of the 2021-22 season.

Rangers Fans Proud of Team Despite Eastern Conference Final Loss vs. Lightning

Jun 12, 2022
TAMPA, FL - JUNE 11: Brandon Hagel #38 of the Tampa Bay Lightning looks for the rebound against goalie Igor Shesterkin #31, Adam Fox #23, and Mika Zibanejad #93 of the New York Rangers during the third period in Game Six of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amalie Arena on June 11, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mark LoMoglio/NHLI via Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - JUNE 11: Brandon Hagel #38 of the Tampa Bay Lightning looks for the rebound against goalie Igor Shesterkin #31, Adam Fox #23, and Mika Zibanejad #93 of the New York Rangers during the third period in Game Six of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amalie Arena on June 11, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mark LoMoglio/NHLI via Getty Images)

The New York Rangers' best season since 2014-15 came to an end Saturday night with a 2-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Final.

Trailing 1-0 with less than seven minutes to play, Frank Vatrano scored a power-play goal to tie the game. Steven Stamkos immediately responded with the game-winning goal for the Lightning 21 seconds later.

Despite not being able to see their team end this season the way they were hoping, Rangers fans have no reason to be disappointed with this showing. The team won a playoff series for the first time since 2016-17 and came within two wins of reaching their first Stanley Cup Final since 2013-14.

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The Rangers put together this playoff run despite not having Sammy Blais for most of the season. He tore his ACL in a Nov. 15 game against the New Jersey Devils. They also played without Barclay Goodrow, who had 33 points in the regular season, for three weeks because of a lower-body injury suffered in their first playoff game against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Goodrow did return midway through the Eastern Conference semfinals, but he only averaged 14.3 minutes in the past eight games.

The bulk of New York's roster should return next season. Ryan Strome, whose 54 points ranked fifth on the team, is the biggest unrestricted free agent. Blais' status will be a question mark because of his injury, but his status as a restricted free agent could leave a simple path to bring him back.

The Rangers had a terrific postseason run. They overcame a 3-1 deficit in the first round to beat the Pittsburgh Penguins in seven games. They had another seven-game series against the Carolina Hurricanes in which they won the decisive game 6-2 at PNC Arena.

The reigning two-time Stanley Cup champion Lightning proved to be too much for New York to overcome.

With an offseason left to make some tweaks to their roster, the Rangers look to be set up for a potential playoff run in 2022-23.

Rangers Collapse Deemed 'Inevitable' After Game 5 Loss to Lightning in NHL Playoffs

Jun 10, 2022
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 09: Andrew Copp #18 of the New York Rangers and Erik Cernak #81 of the Tampa Bay Lightning exchange words in Game Five of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on June 9, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 09: Andrew Copp #18 of the New York Rangers and Erik Cernak #81 of the Tampa Bay Lightning exchange words in Game Five of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on June 9, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images)

The New York Rangers' dream season is quickly shifting into a nightmare.

After a surprisingly strong regular season, New York put together a magical postseason run to find itself in the Eastern Conference Final against the two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning. The Rangers then took a 2-0 lead and it looked like the magic would continue, but it looks like they've ran out of luck.

New York is on the brink of elimination after losing to Tampa Bay 3-1 in Thursday's Game 5 at Madison Square Garden to fall behind 3-2 in the series.

The Rangers held a 1-0 lead in the second period before the Lightning tied it in the same frame. Tampa Bay winger Ondrej Palat scored with 1:50 remaining in the third period to give his team the lead for good. Brandon Hagel capped the scoring less than a minute later with an empty-netter.

New York was never expected to reach this point in the playoffs in the first place, and the team's inexperience has become glaring. After the game, fans online couldn't help but point out the predictability of the Rangers' collapse, with some believing it always was just a matter of time.

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The Rangers are a young team that is ahead of schedule. New York is built to be a title contender for years to come, but this year it is just overmatched against Tampa Bay.

It's hard to imagine that the Rangers will score the upset as the series moves back to Tampa Bay for Saturday's Game 6. The way both teams are playing, the Lightning have the clear edge. All signs point to New York waking up from its dream and facing the reality of preparing for next season.

Artemi Panarin Ripped By Rangers Fans in Game 4 Loss vs. Lightning

Jun 8, 2022
New York Rangers left wing Artemi Panarin (10) against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the first period in Game 3 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs Eastern Conference finals Sunday, June 5, 2022, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
New York Rangers left wing Artemi Panarin (10) against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the first period in Game 3 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs Eastern Conference finals Sunday, June 5, 2022, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

The Eastern Conference Final between the New York Rangers and Tampa Bay Lightning is officially a series after the Bolts tied it 2-2 with a 4-1 win in Game 4 on Tuesday at Amalie Arena.

New York didn't get particularly great play from any player on Tuesday night, though fans were particularly critical of Artemi Panarin. He did score a goal on the power play late in the third period, but it was too little, too late.

Panarin's performance this postseason, especially against the Bolts, has left fans wanting more from the player their team is paying $81.5 million over seven years.

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Panarin had an impressive regular season, tallying 22 goals and 74 assists for 96 points in 75 games, but his performance this postseason hasn't lived up to fans' expectations.

The 30-year-old has six goals and 10 assists in 18 games, and two goals and three assists against the Bolts, but he has turned the puck over far too much and also has been a defensive liability.

According to MoneyPuck.com, Panarin entered Tuesday's game leading all skaters this postseason with 37 giveaways in 17 games, nine more than Jacob Trouba, who has the second-most giveaways with 28.

With the Rangers getting solid production out of many unsuspecting players, such as Andrew Copp and Frank Vatrano, the team needs Panarin to play his game if it wants to reach the Stanley Cup Final.

Game 5 between the Rangers and Lightning is set for Thursday at 8 p.m. ET in New York.

Devils' P.K. Subban Wins 2022 King Clancy Memorial Trophy

Jun 8, 2022
NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - APRIL 21: P.K. Subban #76 of the New Jersey Devils bounces the puck during warm ups before the game against the Buffalo Sabres at Prudential Center on April 21, 2022 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - APRIL 21: P.K. Subban #76 of the New Jersey Devils bounces the puck during warm ups before the game against the Buffalo Sabres at Prudential Center on April 21, 2022 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

New Jersey Devils defenseman P.K. Subban was announced Tuesday as the winner of the 2021-22 King Clancy Memorial Trophy, which is given to the player "who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and has made a noteworthy humanitarian contribution in his community."

Subban beat out Anaheim Ducks center Ryan Getzlaf and Edmonton Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse for the honor. He is the first Devils player to ever win the award.

As the winner, Subban will receive a $25,000 donation from the NHL to a charity of his choice. Getzlaf and Nurse each get a $5,000 donation to a charity of their choices as runners-up.

Subban has been an advocate for racial and social justice throughout his hockey career and has also made financial contributions to numerous charities, most recently making donations for COVID-19 relief and to Ukrainian cancer patients.

The 33-year-old launched the P.K. Subban Foundation in 2014 during his fifth season with the Montreal Canadiens and promised $10 million over seven years to the Montreal Children's Hospital.

Subban also founded Blueline Buddies in 2016, his first season with the Nashville Predators. The program aims to improve the relationship between law enforcement and youth in their communities. He has continued the program in New Jersey.

Subban has spent the last three seasons of his career with the Devils. During the 2021-22 season, he tallied five goals and 17 assists for 22 points in 77 games.

The Ontario native spent the first seven years of his career with the Canadiens before being traded to the Predators in the Shea Weber deal. He spent three years in Nashville before being traded to New Jersey.

Subban just completed the final year of his eight-year, $72 million contract and is set to be an unrestricted free agent. It's unclear if the Devils have plans to re-sign him this summer. 

Jets' Kyle Connor Named 2022 Lady Byng Memorial Trophy Winner Over Slavin, Spurgeon

Jun 6, 2022
WINNIPEG, MB - MAY 01: Kyle Connor #81 of the Winnipeg Jets skates by the bench to celebrate his third period goal against the Seattle Kraken at Canada Life Centre on May 01, 2022 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. (Photo by Jonathan Kozub/NHLI via Getty Images)
WINNIPEG, MB - MAY 01: Kyle Connor #81 of the Winnipeg Jets skates by the bench to celebrate his third period goal against the Seattle Kraken at Canada Life Centre on May 01, 2022 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. (Photo by Jonathan Kozub/NHLI via Getty Images)

Winnipeg Jets forward Kyle Connor has won the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy as the player "adjudged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability," the NHL announced Monday.

Connor beat out Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Jaccob Slavin and Minnesota Wild defenseman Jared Spurgeon for the honor. He is the first player in Jets/Atlanta Thrashers history to win the award.

Winning the Lady Byng is an impressive feat for Connor, especially considering Slavin won the award last season and Spurgeon finished runner-up.

Connor set career highs during the 2021-22 campaign with 47 goals and 46 assists for 93 points in 79 games. In addition, he was given just two minor penalties, the fewest among the NHL's top 100 scorers.

The 25-year-old also led Winnipeg forwards with 21:47 of ice time per game and finished 12th in the league with 66 takeaways.

The Jets selected Connor 17th overall in the 2015 draft, and he has been a staple in the team's lineup since the 2017-18 season. In 384 games, the Michigan native has tallied 178 goals and 166 assists for 344 points.

Connor is under contract with the Jets through the 2025-26 season after signing a seven-year, $50 million deal in September 2019.

Mika Zibanejad's Growing Legend Celebrated as Rangers Beat Lightning in Game 2

Jun 4, 2022
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 03: Mika Zibanejad #93 of the New York Rangers shoots the puck during the third period in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Madison Square Garden on June 3, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 03: Mika Zibanejad #93 of the New York Rangers shoots the puck during the third period in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Madison Square Garden on June 3, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images)

The New York Rangers defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning 3-2 in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Friday to take a 2-0 lead with the series set to shift to Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida, for the next two matchups.

While Lightning forward Nikita Kucherov opened the scoring, the Blueshirts responded with goals from K'Andre Miller, Kaapo Kakko and Mika Zibanejad to take a 3-1 lead and put the game out of reach for the Bolts.

Zibanejad now has nine goals this postseason, and his early third-period tally in Game 2 was all anyone could talk about on Friday night. Some even said that the 29-year-old is making himself a "Rangers legend" with his performance this postseason.

Zibanejad now has nine goals and 13 assists for 22 points in 16 playoff games. If the Rangers make, and win, the Stanley Cup Final, he has a real case to win the Conn Smythe Trophy as the MVP of the postseason.

Blueshirts netminder Igor Shesterkin has also been equally as important to the Rangers' playoff run, though Zibanejad has been a wrecking ball offensively and it has paid off for New York.

Game 3 between the Rangers and Lightning is set for Sunday afternoon, and the Blueshirts will look to take a commanding 3-0 series lead .

Flames' Darryl Sutter Wins 2021-22 Jack Adams Award Over Gallant, Brunette

Jun 3, 2022
CALGARY, AB - NOVEMBER 04: Calgary Flames head coach Darryl Sutter listens to a question during a media interview after an NHL game where the Calgary Flames lost to the Dallas Stars 4-3 in overtime on November 4, 2021, at the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, AB. (Photo by Brett Holmes/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CALGARY, AB - NOVEMBER 04: Calgary Flames head coach Darryl Sutter listens to a question during a media interview after an NHL game where the Calgary Flames lost to the Dallas Stars 4-3 in overtime on November 4, 2021, at the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, AB. (Photo by Brett Holmes/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Calgary Flames head coach Darryl Sutter has won the 2021-22 Jack Adams Award as the coach "adjudged to have contributed the most to his team's success," it was announced Thursday.

He beat out New York Rangers head coach Gerard Gallant and Florida Panthers head coach Andrew Brunette for the honor.

Sutter accepted the award from his brother, Brian Sutter, who won the honor in 1991 as head coach of the St. Louis Blues.

Sutter was also up for the award during his first stint coaching the Flames in 2003-04. This is his first time winning the award.

The 2021-22 season was Sutter's first full season back behind an NHL bench since the 2016-17 campaign when he was head coach of the Los Angeles Kings. The 63-year-old replaced Geoff Ward as head coach of the Flames during the 2020-21 season.

Sutter guided the Flames to a 50-21-11 record this season, good for first place in the Pacific Division. It was a significant improvement from the 2020-21 campaign, in which Calgary missed the postseason after finishing 26-27-3.

The Flames also improved from 2.77 goals per game during the 2020-21 season to 3.55 goals per game during the 2021-22 campaign. They also allowed just 2.51 goals-against per game, a drop from the 2.86 per game they allowed the season prior.

Sutter is just the second Flames head coach to win the Jack Adams Award, joining Bob Hartley, who won in 2014-15.

Chris Kreider's Goal Draws Wayne Gretzky Comparison in Rangers' Game 7 Win

May 31, 2022
New York Rangers left wing Chris Kreider (20) celebrates his goal with center Mika Zibanejad (93) during the first period of Game 7 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series against the Carolina Hurricanes, Monday, May 30, 2022, in Raleigh, N.C. Hurricanes defenseman Brett Pesce (22)looks on. (AP Photo/Chris Seward)
New York Rangers left wing Chris Kreider (20) celebrates his goal with center Mika Zibanejad (93) during the first period of Game 7 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series against the Carolina Hurricanes, Monday, May 30, 2022, in Raleigh, N.C. Hurricanes defenseman Brett Pesce (22)looks on. (AP Photo/Chris Seward)

It took eight minutes for the New York Rangers to take the air out of PNC Arena on Monday night en route to a 6-2 Game 7 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

The first period hadn't even hit the halfway mark when power-play goals by Adam Fox and Chris Kreider put the Rangers up 2-0.

Kreider scored for a second time in the third period on an incredible breakaway effort. 

Naturally, Kreider was singled out for his performance.

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The 31-year-old spearheaded an efficient attack. New York quickly took the crowd out of the game, and it wasted little time erasing any momentum Carolina built.

While it would have been unlikely, a comeback still looked possible when Vincent Trocheck netted the Hurricanes' first goal at the 8:11 mark of the third period to make it 4-1. But only 40 seconds later, Filip Chytil answered.

The two-time reigning Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning await the Rangers in the Eastern Conference Final.

Tampa Bay needed seven games to take out the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first round but then swept the Florida Panthers, who collected a league-high 122 points in the regular season.

In that series, the Panthers put just three goals past 2018-19 Vezina Trophy winner Andrei Vasilevskiy.

The Rangers will undoubtedly need Monday's version of Kreider in the next round.

Hurricanes Mocked for 'Incomprehensible' Road Woes After Game 6 Loss vs. Rangers

May 29, 2022
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 28: Filip Chytil #72 of the New York Rangers celebrates a second period goal against the Carolina Hurricanes with teammates in Game Six of the Second Round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on May 28, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 28: Filip Chytil #72 of the New York Rangers celebrates a second period goal against the Carolina Hurricanes with teammates in Game Six of the Second Round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on May 28, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images)

Carolina Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind'Amour called his team's inability to win road games a "non-issue" entering Saturday's Game 6 against the New York Rangers. But after Carolina's 5-2 loss at Madison Square Garden in the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, it was all anyone could talk about. 

The Hurricanes have yet to win a road game in this year's playoffs, having gone 0-3 against the Boston Bruins at TD Garden in the first round before going 0-3 against the Rangers at Madison Square Garden in their current series. 

Of course, the Hurricanes have a solid chance to close out the Rangers at their home rink in Game 7 on Monday, just like they did the Bruins in the first round, but the team's play on the road has drawn heavy criticism from hockey fans. 

The team's road playoff record is even more concerning because Carolina was tied for the most road wins in the NHL during the regular season. As one fan put it, the team going 0-6 on the road is "incomprehensible."

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The Rangers and Hurricanes will meet again at PNC Arena on Monday, with the Blueshirts looking to become the first team this postseason to get a win in Raleigh, North Carolina, in Game 7.

That said, if the Hurricanes manage to reach the Eastern Conference Finals, they won't face an easy task in holding off the back-to-back Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning at home. 

The Bolts have impressed this postseason with wins over the Toronto Maple Leafs and Florida Panthers. They'll be out for blood no matter who they face in the ECF as they aim to win their third straight title.

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