John Tortorella, Jay Feaster and Lightning assistants sign their contract extensions.
By DAMIAN CRISTODERO
Published February 10, 2004
TAMPA - Lightning coach John Tortorella meant every word when he said last summer he would not negotiate a new contract until after the season was over.
He also meant every word Monday, when he said it was the right time and circumstances to sign a two-year extension that puts him under contract through 2005-06.
What changed?
"To put it in a nutshell, (general manager) Jay Feaster has been allowed to manage this hockey club and he has done a hell of a job," Tortorella said. "He's heading this team in the right direction. I see the growth of the players and where it's going.
"And I don't want to be the guy that breaks up this staff. ... We believe in one another, and we want to see this through and see where we go with this."
Associate coach Craig Ramsay, goaltenders coach Jeff Reese and video/assistant coach Nigel Kirwan got two-year extensions. Strength and conditioning coach Eric Lawson took a one-year extension for personal reasons.
The team has an option for a third year on Ramsay's contract. Feaster also received a two-year extension worth about $600,000 per season. Tortorella will make about $650,000.
Said team president Ron Campbell: "Not only have we seen an awful lot of credibility over the last few years with these guys, we've also gained a lot of respect throughout the league."
Campbell said the contracts will pay 30 percent less if there is a work stoppage next season.
The moves cap an exciting 14 days for the Lightning, which on Jan. 27 traded for defenseman Darryl Sydor and announced on Thursday the Springfield (Mass.) Falcons will be its AHL affiliate for at least three years beginning next season.
Still, Tortorella's signing was most intriguing. He irked Feaster in July when he was critical that he and his staff were not given extensions after leading the franchise to its greatest season and first playoff spot in seven years. He also expressed dismay it appeared points leader Vinny Prospal would be lost to free agency.
Whatever damage was done to their relationship began to heal the next day when they and Campbell had a sit down.
"We believe the same things," Feaster said. "We believe the only way this works and the only way to have success is if the general manager and coaching staff are on the same page.
"All that other stuff, that was water under the bridge. That was reaffirmation for him that we were together. We can have squabbles and disagree on things from time to time, but the most important thing is the hockey team."
Tortorella also saw Feaster earn credibility with owner Palace Sports & Entertainment.
The team is 71-53-27-10 since he took over in January 2002, but the most visible sign might have been the trade for Sydor, which over a full season would have added about $2-million to payroll.
"They have let him do his job and that is a very important thing for the coaching staff to see," Tortorella said. "So a lot of things evolved."
Campbell said last season's success and this season's fast start "earned (Tortorella) the extension." But it was the way he reacted to a 4-12-3-0 spin in November and December "by not panicking and doing the right things that truly convinced us he and the staff were deserving.
"What you want to do is see how people react to adversity. It's easy to jump on the wagon when things are going good. But ultimately you have to react to tougher times, and John did that very well."
Tortorella is 103-109-34-15 since becoming coach in January 2001 with a staff that has remained intact, except for last season's addition of Lawson.
"All of them believe in the greater good of the team," Feaster said. "None of them come in with ego. They believe in team first. And that's the biggest key, they work as a team."
And signed as a team, though it came seven months later than Tortorella would have liked.
"In the summertime he wanted to make sure the staff stayed together and it wasn't happening," Ramsay said. "But still he wanted it and we wanted it.
"It's a good feeling when you go to work. You know what's there. You enjoy being around the people, so it was good John was able to step back and say, "This is what I want. Why stop now?"'
