'Don't even start': John Tortorella shuts down reporter linking him to Atlantic team
Former NHL head coach John Tortorella immediately shut down the idea of him going to Western New York to coach the Buffalo Sabres if Lindy Ruff were to depart.
The Buffalo Sabres made a major change in leadership earlier this week, firing general manager Kevyn Adams and naming Jarmo Kekalainen, who was previously in the same role with the Columbus Blue Jackets, as his replacement.
Amid reports that the Sabres could potentially start making major moves under Kekalainen, ESPN analyst Emily Kaplan stirred the pot a little bit when she posed a question to former NHL head coach John Tortorella, now working as an analyst, on "The Point" pregame show.
Have you gotten a call (from GMJK)? - Emily Kaplan
No. I have not, Emily. Don't even start. - John Tortorella
No. I have not, Emily. Don't even start. - John Tortorella
Current Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff does not have a contract beyond this current season, and it remains to be seen whether he'll be offered a new contract to continue coaching the Sabres by Kekalainen or if he'll even be interested if Buffalo misses the playoffs for a 15th straight year.
Analyst Jeff Marek Floated The Chance Of A Reunion Between Tortorella And Kekalainen
Kekalainen and Tortorella already have a history together with the Columbus Blue Jackets, and NHL analyst Jeff Marek wondered aloud recently if there was a chance Tortorella would be open to a reunion in Buffalo.
The minute that he wouldn't commit to Lindy Ruff, I think we all, all of our antennas went up. And this, let's not forget too, this is after Jarmo Kekalainen went out the door and around the block and talked about character and work ethic...Maybe a former assistant coach of the Buffalo Sabres in years gone past who might have an association through Columbus with the new general manager, uh, the evidence here doesn't look good for Lindy Ruff. - Jeff Marek
Tortorella was let go last season by the Philadelphia Flyers late in the schedule after it was clear that they would not make the playoffs.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 18|274 ANSWERS 'Don't even start': John Tortorella shuts down reporter linking him to Atlantic team Will John Tortorella ever coach in the NHL again? | ||
| Yes | 125 | 45.6 % |
| No | 149 | 54.4 % |
| List of polls | ||