Tortorella worries – John Tortorella admitted the long layoff worries him even as the Vegas Golden Knights close in on another Stanley Cup run. He praised a crisp, enthusiastic practice, described a plan to stay prepared, and acknowledged the pressure that has already landed him a
The layoff has a way of stretching time thin. For John Tortorella, it’s not just a schedule—he can feel the danger in it.
“Just that, the layoff … it’s a lot of days, and I’ll tell you right now, it worries the crap out of me,” Tortorella said.
Then he looked past the anxiety and watched his team try to keep its sharpness alive. After seeing his veteran group take to the ice for a crisp, enthusiastic practice, he said he was impressed by what he saw.
“We have a good group that’s going to handle it the right way,” Tortorella said. “We have a plan to try to be as prepared as we can. … I just worry about you losing your edge for just a little bit.”
He paused, then softened his emphasis on fear with something sturdier: belief.
“I trust the group,” he added.
It’s a two-way trust that’s carried the Vegas Golden Knights to a point where they’re just four victories away from the second Stanley Cup championship in franchise history. The closeness of that finish line—so close it now feels measurable—was far from certain when Tortorella was hired.
He replaced the fired Bruce Cassidy as coach on March 29.
Now, with the season’s momentum pressed into every practice day, Tortorella described the feeling of finally being in the mix for something he says he didn’t expect. The 67-year-old coach said he’s grateful simply to have this opportunity.
There are signs of the ornery edge that has defined him for more than two decades—quick with snappiness in press moments. tight-lipped in others. This season’s run has included that same roughness with consequences. Earlier this month. after the Golden Knights eliminated the Anaheim Ducks in the Western Conference Second Round. he was fined $100. 000 for failing to address the media.
At the same time, he’s also letting the moment land. At his advanced stage of life and career, the tone shifts from managing a team to appreciating the ride.
He didn’t put it in slogans. He just kept talking through what he knows can go wrong—then naming what he believes can keep them from it.
John Tortorella Vegas Golden Knights Stanley Cup layoff Bruce Cassidy Anaheim Ducks Western Conference Second Round $100 000 fine