It’s something that’s faded just a touch, but one might notice that more than a few New York Rangers made their way to the Columbus Blue Jackets.
At this time, it doesn’t appear that one of their most blustery faces in recent memory - former head coach John Tortorella - will be taking up residence in Ohio.
That goes for the rest of the NHL’s struggling teams, too.
The Columbus Dispatch’s Aaron Portzline floated a rather interesting nugget on Saturday: teams aren’t calling the Vancouver Canucks to receive permission to inquire about Tortorella:
Sources tell Dispatch no #NHL club has requested permission from #Canucks to speak w John Tortorella.
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) October 17, 2015
Torts made quite the show about focusing on helping the U.S. on the international level, and here’s one clear reason (*cough* money *cough*) to see why he may be inclined to wait for the absolute perfect offer:
Tortorella has three years remaining, including this season, on the five-year, $10 million deal he signed w #Canucks in May 2013.
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) October 17, 2015
So, there you go. At the moment, no one’s asking about Torts.
Let’s admit that it would be fun to return his fiery spectacle to the headlines, and Columbus would rank as maybe the most bizarre locale (imagine him hugging it out with Brandon Dubinsky?).
The above at the moment is there for a reason: it’s dangerous to rule out much of anything, especially with a team in an increasingly desperate situation like Columbus.
Just look at how happy Todd Richards is to sleep:
Coach Todd Richards said he slept well last night. “That’s about the only time my mind isn’t working right now. That’s a good time.” #CBJ
— Shawn Mitchell (@shecky218) October 17, 2015
Yikes.
The other bit of Blue Jackets news today is a bit off the beaten track, but still not very promising:
Told #CBJ annual team dinner at majority owner John P. McConnell's home, scheduled for tonight, has been cancelled or postponed.
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) October 18, 2015