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NHL Expert Connects John Tortorella to Reunion with Original Six Team
Danny Wild-Imagn Images

John Tortorella’s abrupt exit from the Philadelphia Flyers has already sparked speculation about his next move, and one veteran NHL insider sees a familiar destination as a real possibility.

Speaking on the "Barn Burner" show, TSN’s Darren Dreger identified the New York Rangers as the one team that “makes sense” for Tortorella.

While stressing that he meant no disrespect to current Rangers head coach Peter Laviolette, Dreger cited Rangers owner James Dolan’s known admiration for Tortorella as a driving factor for the speculative possibility.

“I mean for me, the New York Rangers are the only team that, right now, makes sense and the reason I feel like that is—I know James Dolan loves John Tortorella,” Dreger said. “And that owner has a ton of clout. So, you know, let’s see what happens if they miss the playoffs in New York.

"All bets are off.”

The Flyers fired Tortorella on March 28 following a 7–2 loss to Toronto, a controversial  dispute with defenseman Cam York, and some ill-timed postgame comments.

“I’m not really interested in learning how to coach in this type of season,” Tortorella said. 

According to ESPN, despite being let go with a year left on his four-year, $16 million deal, Tortorella will still collect $4 million from Philadelphia next season.

The Rangers, currently in a playoff race, have a veteran-heavy roster that may appeal to Tortorella and fit his coaching ways.

On top of that, the former Flyers coach previously coached New York from 2008 to 2013, reaching the Eastern Conference Final in 2012 and compiling a 171–118–1 record over five seasons.

With Dolan’s influence looming and Laviolette’s future uncertain, the possibility of a Tortorella reunion at Madison Square Garden remains in the cards.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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