‘Like watching a bad soap opera’: Knights fans react to John Tortorella’s departure

Despite leading a dark horse Vegas Golden Knights team on a deep playoff run that ended just two games shy of a Stanley Cup title, coach John Tortorella was sent packing his bags.

Golden Knights general manager Kelly McCrimmon announced on Tuesday that Tortorella will not return to the organization after he took over for Bruce Cassidy with eight games remaining in the regular season.

“We thank Torts for the guidance he provided our team since joining the organization in March,” McCrimmon said. “When the decision was made to bring Torts to Vegas, we needed an immediate impact to help us at a pivotal point in the season. Torts’ experience and leadership proved to be the boost that we were looking for, helping guide us to the Stanley Cup Final.

“We are grateful for Torts’ passion, sincerity, and commitment to our organization, and we wish him and his family the best.”

Arriving in late March, Tortorella stabilized Vegas’ locker room that was third in the Pacific Division before going on a 7-0-1 run to close the regular season and claim the division title.

But as the number of games the Knights played in the postseason grew, so did expectations, especially after a four-game sweep of the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Colorado Avalanche in the Western Conference Final.

Tortorella faced scrutiny for standing by goaltender Carter Hart after Hart allowed four goals in each of the first five games of the Stanley Cup Final against the Carolina Hurricanes, who clinched the Stanley Cup in six games.

“Thank you Torts. for costing us a Cup,” one fan on X said in the comments of the announcement.

“Honestly not mad,” another fan wrote. “His refusal to make adjustments when the team got figured out was upsetting.”

While the success and body of work was impressive, Tortorella’s leadership came at a cost to the organization that lost a second-round pick and a fine of $100,000 for skipping media availability during the Anaheim Ducks series.

“Torts came in, refused to talk to media/shake hands with the ducks, cost vgk a draft pick and $100,000 AND a cup, defended (Hart) with every last breath and then got fired,” one commenter wrote. “karma is something huh.”

However, the Knights’ turnaround was one to remember and gave fans a reason to cheer for months after the team looked like it could miss the playoffs in March.

“Torts got the Knights within two wins of the Cup. Can’t believe some of the negativity in this thread,” a Tortorella defender said. “Hart did suck, but (Adin) Hill was awful all season.”

“Vegas really said ‘thanks for the Cup run, now get out!’ Tortorella turned water into wine and they still fired the wizard,” another commenter wrote. “NHL coaching carousel never disappoints.”

Speaking of, Tortorella’s name resurfacing again in the news cycle resonated with non-NHL fans.

“I know absolutely nothing about hockey, but it seems like I somehow see news of this guy John Tortorella being hired or fired by a different NHL team every six months,” Aaron Gleeman, formerly of The Athletic, wrote on X.

Overall, this latest shakeup in the organization adds to a growing list of high-profile moves over the years.

“Watching what’s up with this team is like watching a bad soap opera,” one fan commented.

“If that was his decision, fine. If the organization made that decision, it certainly doesn’t show any gratitude for what he accomplished in a very short time,” one fan said.

Who becomes the Knights’ fifth coach in the organization’s history will be determined, and fans are willing to entertain the absurd given all that has happened in the past three months.

“expect an announcement that (Bruce) Cassidy is the new Head Coach lol,” one fan wrote.

What’s next for Tortorella? If it’s revenge, Edmonton Oilers fans are calling his name.

“The Oilers should definitely have Tortorella in their sights now,” Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal wrote on X.

The Hurricanes left Tortorella a parting message after Game 6 on Sunday after he joked he would leave his clothes at the hotel in Raleigh in anticipation for Game 7.

“We’ll send them to you. Might take a few days, though. A little busy,” the Hurricanes’ X account posted.