Report: John Tortorella signs four-year deal to become Philadelphia Flyers head coach
The Philadelphia Flyers have officially come to terms with John Tortorella on an agreement for him to be the club’s next head coach, according to a report by ESPN’s Kevin Weekes.
Tortorella has reportedly signed a four-year deal with the Flyers annually worth “in the neighbourhood” of $4 million. Weekes confirmed this information in a tweet posted on Thursday evening.
**Breaking News** 🚨 🗞
Per my initial on #ThePoint ; I can confirm @NHLFlyers are hiring HC John Tortorella in the neighborhood of 4yr X 4M deal, and @GoldenKnights HC Cassidy in the neighborhood of 5 yr X 4.5 M. Coaching Carousel 🎠 continues . @espn @NHL #HockeyTwitter pic.twitter.com/Uvvq5NufM3
Tortorella, 63, spent the 2021–22 season alongside Weekes as an analyst on ESPN hockey broadcasts. The veteran NHL head coach has worked in the league for more than two decades, winning the Stanley Cup with the 2004 Tampa Bay Lightning.
Most recently, Tortorella served as the head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets from 2015 to 2021. He led the Blue Jackets to their first two playoff series victories in franchise history, most notably helping them sweep the Lightning in the 2019 first round.
Tortorella has also been the head coach of the New York Rangers and Vancouver Canucks. In his 20 regular seasons as an NHL coach, Tortorella has led his teams to a combined 673–541–132–37 record.
On Tuesday, Weekes shared news that the Flyers had offered Tortorella the opportunity to fill their head coaching vacancy. Last week, Daily Faceoff president of hockey content Frank Seravalli reported that the Flyers’ short list of candidates included Tortorella and Barry Trotz.
Weekes also reported on Thursday that Bruce Cassidy’s new contract with the Vegas Golden Knights is worth approximately $4.5 million annually over five years.
With Tortorella and Cassidy respectively joining the Flyers and Golden Knights, only four NHL teams remain without a coach with less than a month remaining until the 2022 UFA period opens: Boston, Dallas, Detroit, and Winnipeg.