Ex-NHL coach John Tortorella set to be new ESPN analyst

Former Columbus Blue Jackets head coach John Tortorella looks on during the third period A| at Gila River Arena.? Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Former NHL coach John Tortorella set to be new ESPN hockey analyst

By Chelena Goldman | Last updated 8/3/21

Good news for hockey fans who were going to miss John Tortorella delivering fiery commentary during postgame pressers.

The former Columbus Blue Jackets bench boss is set to join ESPN as an in-studio analyst for the 2021 NHL season, The Athletic's Aaron Portzline reported on Tuesday.

While his coaching résumé includes two Jack Adams awards and a nod as the first American-born coach to reach 500 wins, Tortorella is probably best known for his brash and oft-confrontational way of dealing with everyone from media members to his own players. While with Columbus, he notoriously paused a press conference to answer a reporter's ringing cell phone.

Not surprisingly, hockey fans have already taken to social media to speculate just how much edge Torts will bring to an ESPN broadcast, especially if he finds himself in the studio with Stephen A. Smith.

John Tortorella vs. Stephen A on ESPN covering the NHL should be fun https://t.co/ZjTLBDMOtx pic.twitter.com/4DubMFPepj
— Petrov McGuire (@McguirePetrov) August 3, 2021

Columbus parted ways with the veteran coach in May after the team missed the playoffs for a second straight season. Tortorella first joined the team eight games into the 2015-16 season after they went 0-7-0 under Todd Richards. His coaching credits also include a seven-season run with the Tampa Bay Lightning, one season with the Vancouver Cancucks and two stints with the New York Rangers.

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