Lightning's Tortorella regrets offering to leave team

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John Tortorella wishes he could do it over again because he certainly would do it differently.

The Lightning coach said he regrets telling general manager Jay Feaster perhaps it was time he step down because he discovered that is not how he feels.

"I want to stay here and fight and try to make this team better with the new ownership group and Jay Feaster," Tortorella said Wednesday. "I want to be part of the retooling."

But at his postseason meeting with Feaster, Tortorella said the opposite; that after seven seasons and finishing 2007-08 last in the league, "Maybe there needs to be a different voice."

In other words, Tortorella, with one year left on his contract, offered to step aside or be fired, igniting a drama that has raised questions about his job security.

That the story got out, originally on WDAE-AM 620, was uncomfortable for Tortorella, preparing in Portland, Maine, for today's opening of the U.S. training camp for the world championship.

As for his future, an ownership change from absentee Palace Sports & Entertainment to ultra hands-on Oren Koules seems inevitable. Neither has commented on Tortorella's status, and a statement by team president Ron Campbell was no ringing endorsement.

"The organization's current priorities have been to finalize the business deal between the two ownership parties, and we have been advised that any non-time-sensitive hockey decisions should wait, if at all possible, until the completion of the transactions upon us," he said. "I hope all of us in the organization can continue to respect those desires until we are ready to move forward."

"I'm embarrassed that it's turned into this," Tortorella said. "The whole situation as far as my meeting with Jay and now it's out; this is my fault how this has happened. I have to give a bunch of skin for the season. It starts with me. I'm not afraid of that."

That the season was miserable was bad enough. But Tortorella and Feaster, who always worked so well together, strongly disagreed on how Tortorella handled situations with Andre Roy and Shane O'Brien.

Roy was suspended three games by the league then scratched for the final 12 after an incident in Philadelphia. O'Brien was scratched for the final seven games, apparently for poor play.

Still, after his emotions calmed and discussions with his coaching staff and several more with Feaster, Tortorella, 49, who took over in January 2001 and was coach of the year in 2004 after leading the team to the Stanley Cup, knew he wanted to stay.

"I was asked, 'Are you giving in?' " Tortorella said. "In my last meeting with Jay, I told him I was wrong in my thinking and a little selfish. I have a staff and a team to worry about, and it was the wrong thing to do.

"I don't want to give in. I believe Jay Feaster and I can work with the new ownership coming in. We can turn this around. We're not far away."

Comments on this article

by Chris	Apr 28, 2008 10:20 AM
Torts needs to stay....Period

by Mike	Apr 28, 2008 9:58 AM
He is an above average coach. The problem is the management and scouting. Drafting has been terrible. We have had (at best) bad goaltending, with many teams exchanging top level talent.

by marcel	Apr 25, 2008 4:46 PM
The coach said something in the heat of the moment, we have all done that a time or two, at least I have. John Tortorella is a good coach. Give him this year, at least!!!

by Snuffy	Apr 25, 2008 9:00 AM
Dennis, you're a little late to the party. Last year we said give it another year.

by Dennis	Apr 24, 2008 6:13 PM
He is such a 'bad' coach he was selected to coach the US team. For anyone calling for his head, who are you going to replace him with? if OK hockey sends him away, they are dumb, give it a year, buying a teams does not mean you should dest

by Dennis	Apr 24, 2008 6:13 PM
I don't care about Andre Roy or OBrien, what do Marty and Vinny think, they are far more important than firing him over benching a 3rd line guy who can't control himself or a defensemen who turns the puck over in front of his own net, sit t

by Brian	Apr 24, 2008 6:00 PM
This coach brought, guided you a championship to your city. Who is available that is better to handle this team ? What coach ? I would be impressed to hear answers !!! Yes he is an emotional coach, men play this game. If you have hurt feelings,tuff.

by Steve	Apr 24, 2008 11:23 AM
Torts was right the first time, he should give in. He's completely mishandled Roy and O'Brien (perhaps Prospal). Being in the cellar and now getting a prize prospect, it's time to start fresh with a new coach/direction.

by davedouche	Apr 24, 2008 11:23 AM
Time for a new coach- Sorry, I think Torts lost the guys when he decided to screw Andre over almost nothing.

by John	Apr 24, 2008 11:23 AM
You know what's missing from this story? We all know Torts is a very competitive, intense guy who hates losing. How can anyone begrudge him for being thoroughly frustrated by how poorly the team played this year. I think he should get a mulli

by chris	Apr 24, 2008 11:23 AM
Lets change sides of the table and go with feast saying he'd leave & Torts staying in place. Just a thought but IMHO the way to go forward. Maybe Torts won't sign R2 with the savings from Brad.

by Steve	Apr 24, 2008 11:23 AM
I really don't care for Torts, but to think that the new ownership would be more interested in keeping Ron Campbell around than the head coach who got them a Cup over a president who only got a DUI, well - that's just silly.

by ben bolt fan	Apr 24, 2008 11:23 AM
Torts needs to change the way he coaches his talent. If his talent cannot puck pursuit, then sit back a little and control the nuetral zone more (trap). The talent level should ditact your coaching aways. Look at Gruden with a different QB

by David	Apr 24, 2008 11:23 AM
Tortorella is the best US-born coach in the history of United States hockey! His accomplishments include leading the Lightrning from worst to first and a Stanley Cup. Give this guy a break! Keep Coach Tortorella! Give him a defense and watch

by Tom	Apr 24, 2008 11:22 AM
If I'm not mistaken Tort's badmouthed current ownership from being too far removed from day to day operations. Is he already complaining about future ownership?

by Natasha Olofsson	Apr 24, 2008 11:22 AM
Sounds to me like Torts got angry and flew off the handle opening his mouth one time too many. It sounds like he said he wanted to leave, then maybe didn't get good offers and now wants to stay. I think the team needs rebuilt minus Torts!

by Elwood P. Dowd	Apr 24, 2008 11:22 AM
Too bad, I admit to feeling foolish for being his biggest supporter in the State. Now he's got to go because he's not adjusted the coaching to the product given to him. Feaster gave him a Yugo and let Torts race LeMans. Ciao to both!

by Tim	Apr 24, 2008 11:22 AM
You should have "Shut your yap"..