Toronto Maple Leafs

Would Tortorella Fit With The Leafs?

John Tortorella never met a microphone he didn’t like. He also doesn’t take guff from nobody no how. He’s like Dallas from the Outsiders - played in the 1983 film by Matt Dillon - you know, all tough and brash and ready to kick ass. The fact that he looks a lot like Henry Winkler doesn’t hurt him either, as everyone knows the ‘Fonz’ was all about sorting things out so Richie and Joanie Cunningham could have a good time.

“Torts”, as he is fondly known by his players, would ruin any sort of Cottage/Country Club atmosphere that’s built up around the Leafs. He’s the same man that took Vincent Lecavalier from 37 point player in 2001-02, to 78 point player in 2002-03… and all the way to 108 point player in 2006-07. Brad Richards also went from a 62 point player to a high of 91 points in 2005-06 under the watch of Tortorella.

Most notably, Martin St. Louis was brought in to the Lightning fold during Tortorella’s first season as head coach in 2000-01, when he scored 40 points in 78 games during his first full season as an NHL regular. He soon skyrocketed to 94 points in the Lightning’s Stanley Cup winning season in 2003-04 - in 4 seasons. His point-per-game ratings jumped each year from 0.51 that first season, to 0.66 the next year, to 0.85 in his 3rd with Tampa, to 1.14 in the 94 point campaign. In 2006-07 he registered 1.24 points-per-game. Oh and he also became one of the NHL’s top penalty killers to boot.

Pavel Kubina worked well with Tortorella during his time in Tampa Bay, as did former Leaf Fredrik Modin. Dan Boyle also went from being a part time player with Florida to one of the best D-men in the NHL under the firm hand of Tortorella.

He obviously motivates a high level of skill out of many of his top producers. The question surrounding Tortorella is, can he manage goalies and what about the non-stars on the roster? No real indication of the goalie management; although in large part that problem was created by Jay Feaster… and he did well enough with Khabibulin. As for cultivating decent team wide production and a workable “system” of play, he never did seem to impose a strong defensive will on the franchise.

In the Lightning’s magical run through the playoffs, one could argue the team benefited from twists of fate more than anything. They beat up on the Islanders and Habs in the first two rounds of the playoffs in 2003-04, mainly because the Isles sucked, and the Habs had fought a tough 7 game series with Boston. Then they barely beat Philadelphia in 7 games - one series after the Flyers had taken Toronto out in a rough and tumble 6 game series.

In the Finals they faced the 8th seed from the West, the Calgary Flames, and won a war of a series in 7 games, outscoring the Flames 14 to 13. Had they faced San Jose or Detroit, things might have panned out slightly differently… but of course… they didn’t, and the rest as they say is history. Thus, unlike Ron Wilson, he has won a Stanley Cup.

Whichever way you feel about the guy, Tortorella would provide an interesting twist in Leaf Land, and he would always remain potently quotable. Which I’m certain would endlessly impress the local media. Personally I think this quote sums him up well:

“I’ve got this reputation that I’m a lunatic and I kick around people,” he said. “But there has to be accountability. You won’t always be holding hands in a love-fest. People are afraid of conflict, where I think it’s a good thing.”

Does anything else need to be said?