Columbus Blue Jackets: John Tortorella extended for two years

The Columbus Blue Jackets have signed their often crass head coach, John Tortorella, to a two-year contract extension.

Perhaps not the most important signing as viewed by many Columbus Blue Jackets fans (see Panarin and Bobrovsky), but never-the-less, the Jackets have locked up head-coach, John Tortorella, for an additional two years.

Details of the new deal have yet to be revealed, but his current yearly salary is at $2 million per season (this upcoming season included). Tortorella’s new deal will commence next season.

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Through three seasons behind the Blue Jackets bench, Tortorella has put together a respectable regular season record with 129-wins, 87-losses, and 23-overtime losses. This would give him a .588-winning percentage, putting John at the top of all of Columbus’  previous coaches in that category.

One aspect of his tenure where he hasn’t been as successful, however, has been in the playoffs.  In his three seasons leading the Jackets, he’s lead his team to the playoffs two of those – but unfortunately, both times has been subsequently ousted in the first round.

The Jackets General Manager, Jarmo Kekalainen, had nothing but praise to say during his announcing of the contract extension:

“John Tortorella and his coaching staff have done a terrific job since his arrival nearly two years ago…He is one of the top coaches in our game and we are excited about what lies ahead for our club with John as our head coach.”

Tortorella also seemed thrilled of the commitment both his team President of Hockey Operations, John Davidson, and GM have entrusted in him.

“I’m very appreciative of the opportunity I have to coach this team and be part of a wonderful community that has been very welcoming to my family…I’m proud of the steps we’ve taken as a team and I look forward to continuing to work with a very good group of coaches and players.”

With this deal, Columbus continues to employ the NHL’s all-time wins leader among American born coaches, with a 575-462-138 record. Overall, Tortorella currently ranks 19th on the NHL’s all-time wins list and 18th in NHL games coached.

Along with his overall successful coaching record, he has accumulated two Jack Adams trophies, awarded annually to the National Hockey League coach “adjudged to have contributed the most to his team’s success.” Tortorella is one of only six coaches in NHL history to win the award multiple times.

As mentioned above, coach Tortorella will be resuming the helm at the beginning of the season without knowing the extended contract status of two of his most dynamic players – winger Artemi Panarin, and two-time all-star goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky.

Fortunately for Columbus Blue Jackets fans, this isn’t a situation that the 60-year-old head coach is foreign to. Fans should feel confident that with or without their two star players, he’ll surely get the best out of the players he’s got.

Right wing Cam Atkinson had this to say about his head coach to The Athletic:

“Every player who has played for Torts has said how much they actually love Torts…Maybe not in the middle of the [expletive]-storm, but when they have a different coach, they always appreciate Torts and how he brings out the best of every player.”

September 17 will mark the Jackets pre-season opener, where they will play host to the Buffalo Sabres, led by Jack Eichel. Here’s to celebrating two more additional years of news-worthy Tortorella post-game blow-ups.