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John Tortorella has admitted that he was "disappointed" to be fired by the Vegas Golden Knights after losing to the Carolina Hurricanes in the Stanley Cup Final, but he has no plans to retire from coaching and remains eager for a fresh opportunity.
Tortorella, 68, was named interim head coach of the Golden Knights in March after the firing of Bruce Cassidy, and led Vegas to the Stanley Cup Final.
After a promising start, Vegas lost in six games to Carolina, and Tortorella was informed two days later that he would not be retained.
The veteran coach has overseen 1,628 NHL games in his career, but was called out for a questionable challenge during the Stanley Cup Final before suffering an avoidable defeat.
Tortorella is disappointed to be a free agent after an inspired run, but hopes to coach elsewhere.
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48 and two wildcard options - Ryan Clark explains walking off ESPN set after being fired mid-show Tortorella was replaced by Ryan Craig, who was promoted from within by Vegas general manager Kelly McCrimmon after leading their AHL affiliate.
Responding to the decision, Tortorella told The Athletic, "I guess the word I'd use is 'disappointed.' "I was honest with Kelly.
We met the next morning [after Game 6].
..
Kelly is very honest, and he let me know within one minute of sitting down in that meeting he basically told me, 'Ryan Craig is coaching the team next year.' "I told him what I thought, and we had an honest conversation.
I truly respect where the organization is going." Throughout Tortorella's career, he coached the Tampa Bay Lightning to its first Stanley Cup championship in 2003-04, and then spent time with the New York Rangers.
Tortorella then coached the Vancouver Canucks, Columbus Blue Jackets, and Philadelphia Flyers before joining the Golden Knights.
However, last season was the first time since 2012-13 that Tortorella coached a team beyond the second round of the playoffs, and he believes that he still has more to give.
"Oh, I want to coach," Tortorella added.
"I want to coach now.
I'm not sure if that happens, and that's where I am in my career.
But I wanted to coach that Vegas team.
"..
I'm still, quite honestly, I'm still trying to swallow how close we were, and honestly, swallow how I really wanted to coach that hockey team, too.
I loved being part of [the Golden Knights] the short time I was in it.
I wanted to be in it longer." Despite being left disappointed by his removal in Vegas, he believes that coach Craig can have an impact on the team.
Tortorella said that Craig is a "good coach and man," and has even offered to "help him any way" next season.