Some baseless rumors surrounding the Philadelphia Flyers have recently been debunked.
During a March 22 podcast episode of “Real Kyper & Bourne,” former Columbus Blue Jackets general manager Doug MacLean suggested that current Flyers head coach John Tortorella had expressed interest in transitioning into a management role after his time with the Blue Jackets. However, it was reported that the then-general manager Jarmo Kekalainen wasn’t receptive to the idea, leading Tortorella to move on. With the Flyers currently struggling on an eight-game losing streak and facing concerns about their defensive performance, speculation arose that Tortorella might join Danny Briere and Keith Jones in the Flyers’ management. However, NHL insider Darren Dreger swiftly refuted this notion, stating that “Torts is not leaving the bench,” as per a source within the Flyers organization.
The notion of Tortorella leaving coaching for a front-office position seemed unlikely. Despite his age, the 65-year-old coach still demonstrates a strong passion for coaching and enjoys guiding players. Additionally, Tortorella played a role in the Jamie Drysdale trade, indicating his continued involvement in shaping the Flyers’ future. It would be counterintuitive to remove him from a coaching role, especially given the importance of hands-on teaching, particularly with young players like Drysdale.
It’s worth noting that while Tortorella may eventually transition into a management position, potentially even with the Flyers, he remains under contract as the team’s head coach. Therefore, he will continue to fulfill his coaching duties unless there is a significant change in circumstances for either him or the team.