Basketball

Blue Jackets Sunday Gathering: John Tortorella is good TV, ‘if only’ with Alexander Wennberg, and more


COLUMBUS, Ohio — A collection of notes, insights, ruminations and did-you-knows gathered throughout the week that was for the Blue Jackets:

Item No. 1. Tortorella on TV

Former Blue Jackets coach John Tortorella just finished his first full week as a studio analyst for ESPN, and it’s been predictably riveting TV.

It works on so many levels. First, Tortorella has never been shy to share his opinions. The NHL used to fine Tortorella for his best takes, but now the World Wide Leader is paying him handsomely for them.

But also, Tortorella’s national platform will give fans a fuller scope of the man. The YouTube clips of him berating reporters, lambasting NHL officials and the Pittsburgh Penguins have cemented a reputation, but there is another side of him that most have never seen.

Take this weekend, when Tortorella choked back his emotions while discussing Blue Jackets goaltender Matiss Kivlenieks, who died this summer following a fireworks mishap in Novi, Mich.

“It just hit me again, ya know?” Tortorella said. “I thought I was ready to talk about it again, but…”

 

Asked how much coaching he’s getting from ESPN producers, Tortorella chuckled.

“I’m doing my own thing. I don’t even consider it TV,” Tortorella told The Athletic.





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