John Tortorella’s friendship with the Islanders’ Barry Trotz dates to their AHL coaching days in the mid-1990s.
Naturally, the combative Blue Jackets coach didn’t like the way Trotz’s tenure with the Capitals ended after he led them to their first Stanley Cup last season. Trotz rejected the team’s contract extension offer, then joined the Islanders.
“That’s a really good coach,” Tortorella said. “I enjoy his candor. I enjoy he keeps things in perspective. He’s got a beautiful family. I pull for him.
“I felt he was kind of hung out there a little bit in Washington.