Lack of contract extension leaves Tortorella perturbed
The Lightning coach says he may let the final year of his deal run out.
By DAMIAN CRISTODERO
Published July 2, 2003
Coach John Tortorella said Tuesday he is prepared to let his contract with the Lightning expire. At the very least, he said, he will not discuss a new deal with the team until next season is finished.
Tortorella's contract, which pays him $500,000, runs through June 30, 2004.
The decision comes after the team refused, for the time being, Tortorella's request for a contract extension for him and his staff. The coach subsequently requested, and was refused by general manager Jay Feaster, a two-week "window" to, as Tortorella said, "explore other opportunities."
Feaster said no clubs have requested to speak to Tortorella.
"I do not want to leave here. I want to coach this hockey club," Tortorella said. "We have a vision here. But somewhere along the line in this type of situation, I, myself personally, need to think about what's best for my career and my family and my future, too. I felt I needed to ask for other opportunities because I thought there would be a little bit more commitment to the staff, and it didn't transpire."
"It's unfortunate the decision was made by John to deal with this in this fashion," Feaster said. "At the same time, it's not the first issue I've dealt with with John and not the first personnel issue I've dealt with with John. That's John's personality."
Tortorella has been vocal about wanting the Lightning to re-sign unrestricted free agent Vinny Prospal. He even spoke with Prospal three times Monday and said he will do "anything possible that will help them bridge some things here."
Tortorella said the signing would be a benchmark.
"I just think we have to be careful as far as the mind-set of the club as far as where we're going," he said. "If you lose that within the players in the room, it falls and it falls hard."
The coach said those concerns prompted him to talk about his situation.
"I'm worried about losing the club," he said. "It's not so much about me and the staff. It's about commitment."
Tortorella, who took over in January 2001 after Steve Ludzik was fired, met with Feaster soon after the Lightning completed its best season, which included 93 points, its first division title and a victory against the Capitals in the first round of the playoffs.
The coach asked if he and his staff, including associate coach Craig Ramsay and goaltenders coach Jeff Reese, could get multi-year extensions. All contracts for the hockey staff expire after next season, though the team has an option on Feaster for 2004-05.
"It's not looking for a big raise or to hit a home run. It's to be treated with a little decency and respect," Tortorella said. "Add a year or two on the contracts and not always work on one-year deals. It is my job as head coach to look out for my staff, and that was the whole vein of going to speak to Jay. I didn't think that was unreasonable, but we were told no. I don't agree with it. At some point, we have to stand up and say this is wrong."
"There is a process and a manner in which these things should be done," Feaster said. "At the point in time when my bosses say to me they'd like to talk about exercising the option for me in '04-05, once that is taken care of, it is appropriate for the general manager to try to do things with the staff."
President Ron Campbell said it is a matter of priorities.
"John and the staff did a hell of a job, and the ultimate goal is for them to be coaching this team for a long time," he said. "But we have a lot of (players to sign). Once our plate gets clear on a lot of these other issues, we'll take care of Jay and go from there."
As for Tortorella's edict he will not talk about a new contract until after the season, Feaster said, "In my mind, it's a non-issue. To the extent that no decision is made on me until the end of the season, that's when I would have started conversations with the staff."
The big question is can all parties play nice? For now, the situation does not appear to be jeopardizing Tortorella's job.
Campbell said he will meet quickly with Tortorella to "get our priorities in order" and "clear the air."
Feaster said, "The only way for us to have success as an organization and a team is for the general manager and the coach to be on the same page. The one thing I intend to have is success. I'm confident we'll be on the same page as it relates to getting things done with this hockey club."
Tortorella said he already has moved on. He said he will not talk to the media further about his contract because "there are not going to be any distractions."
"I am not trying to cause problems and tension," he said. "Jay Feaster and I have worked very closely together and I believe very well together. I like the man. But I also need to look out for my staff and myself when I think we've been treated wrong.
"Does that stop my commitment to the team? No chance. I can't wait until the guys come in. I can't wait, with this staff, to coach this hockey club."
