John Tortorella will not get another Rangers chance despite speculation

There will not be another John Tortorella return to the Rangers bench.

After the ex-Blueshirts coach found himself in the thick of speculation surrounding the next coaching staff, with ESPN reporting there was a “strong possibility” he could return next season, it turns out Tortorella will not have a third stint in New York in a coaching capacity. 

Tortorella apparently spoke with the Rangers, per ESPN, but he is not expected to join Mike Sullivan’s staff. 

The moment Sullivan and the Penguins parted ways on April 28, the 57-year-old shot to the top of the Rangers’ candidates list.

This only fueled further speculation that Tortorella could join him as an associate coach after Sullivan filled that role during Tortorella’s Rangers tenure. 

Tortorella, who was promoted from assistant to head coach of the Rangers for the final four games of the 1999-00 season, served as bench boss in New York from 2009-13.

Former head coach John Tortorella of the Philadelphia Flyers looks on from the bench during second period action against the Winnipeg Jets at Canada Life Centre on March 1, 2025. NHLI via Getty Images

He compiled a record of 171-118-1-29 during his time at the helm.

The two worked together with Team USA at the NHL’s 4 Nations Face-off tournament in February, with Sullivan serving as head coach and Tortorella serving as an assistant, so there was belief it could be a good fit for the veteran coaches. 

Rangers president and general manager Chris Drury was also assistant general manager for Team USA. 

Sullivan was officially named the 38th head coach in Rangers history on Friday.