Not only will the price of success likely cost the Blackhawks a key player or two as they battle salary-cap issues, but their coaching staff could suffer a few losses as well.
The Atlanta Thrashers reportedly have asked for and been granted permission to speak to Hawks associate coach John Torchetti to fill their head coaching vacancy.
Torchetti, who was hired by the Hawks on March 16, 2007, and served as an assistant for both Denis Savard and current head man Joel Quenneville, has twice been an interim head coach in the NHL. In 2004, he replaced current Thrashers general manager Rick Dudley as coach and finished 10-12-4-1. In '06, Torchetti went 5-7-0 as interim coach for the Kings.
Photo: John Torchetti on the Blackhawks' bench. (Tribune file)Dudley, who served as assistant GM to Dale Tallon with the Hawks before joing the Atlanta organization, may also speak with current Rockford IceHogs coach Bill Peters about the Thrashers' vacancy.
The Thrashers have a coaching vacancy after firing John Anderson, who is a former coach of the AHL's Chicago Wolves, on April 14.
Mike Haviland, another Hawks assistant, could also be in demand and it has been rumored the New Jersey Devils could be interested.
@ Jacqueass
Right on Jacq. I don't know what some of these posters are thinking. Every assistant coaches dream is to become a headcoach. It'a a promotion which equates to increased wages and prestige. Am sure some of you won't be happy if management at your line of work ties you down.
These two were a big part of the direction the kids took on the ice. When you do a good job, you get rewarded. Good for both of them. I knew we would be without one or both of them, given the part they played in bringing the Cup to Chicago.
"They're OUR kids, damnit!"
Of course, given the chance, these great guys should move on and become head coaches.
Good luck Torch and Mikey!!!
You can't realistically refuse another team permission to talk to your assistant coaches about the other team's head coaching position. That would sour your relationship with the assistant. The money and prestige are too much greater as a head coach.
Screw Atlanta and screw New Jersey. We win the Cup now teams want to raid our coaching staff, no I don't think so, look elsewhere.
Hawks should have denied Atlanta permission. Keep Torch here.
If the Hawks lose coach Torchetti I would see no problem in picking up their just fired coach John Anderson as an assistant. Anderson as Wolves fans know is a great coach. Talent can make coaches geniuses. Let's just say the Thrashers were missing a few pieces.
I has the opportunity to talk coaching for a couple hours with Haviland when he was in Rockford and he is brilliant. Any team would be lucky to have him.
I hate to see either one go, but good for them.