A head coaching switcheroo of sorts may be in the works in the NHL, and Bruins fans are very familiar with both coaches involved.
Former New York Rangers coach John Tortorella interviewed about the Vancouver Canucks’ coaching vacancy on Tuesday, Katie Strang of ESPN.com reports, while the Rangers spoke with former Canucks boss Alain Vigneault about taking over Tortorella’s old job.
Both were fired by their respective clubs last month after disappointing playoff exits — Tortorella’s to the Bruins in the conference semifinals and Vigneault’s to the Sharks in the opening round.
Any discussions are still in the preliminary stages, though, as Tortorella has also been linked to the vacant position in Dallas and the Rangers have reportedly gained permission to speak with former Sabres coach Lindy Ruff. Ruff had been the longest-tenured coach in the NHL before he was let go mid-season.
Vigneault was one of the most successful coaches in Canucks history. He holds the franchise record for career wins and led Vancouver to two Presidents’ Trophies and a Stanley Cup Final appearance in 2011.
Tortorella won a Cup with the Lightning in 2004 but could not replicate that postseason success in New York. The Rangers reached the playoffs four times during his five-year tenure but advanced past the conference semifinals just once, falling twice in the first round.
