TAMPA, Jan. 6 -- The Tampa Bay Lightning, owners of the third worst record in the NHL, fired coach Steve Ludzik Saturday and replaced him with assistant John Tortorella.
General manager Rick Dudley made the move while players continued to air complaints about the state of the team.
Although the move was dramatic and quick, it came as no real surprise since the Lightning are mired in next-to-last place in the NHL's Southeast Division. The team has won only four of its last 19 games and is just two points ahead of the cellar-dwelling Florida Panthers.
"We made a very, very tough decision today, one that was in the absolute best interest of the Lightning team, our young players and the entire organization," Dudley said. "Steve Ludzik is a very good friend, a fine man and an excellent coach. We wish him all the best."
Ludzik lasted less than two seasons after taking over from Jacques Demers on July 14, 1999. The team finished next-to-last in the Southeast Division with a 19-54-9-7 in Ludzik's first season with the team and has shown little improvement in 2000-01.
Thursday's loss at Ottawa prompted a 15-minute, players-only meeting, according to the Tampa Tribune. The players aired several complaints that goaltender Kevin Weekes told the newspaper were "revealing."
"If there are any jobs on the line, it should be the players," Weekes told the Tribune. "Everything is in place here as an organization for us to succeed -- from the game plan to the way we travel to the class way we're treated. It comes down to the men who go out on the ice, but coaches are the natural focus when things aren't going well. The thinking is you can't trade 24 players."
Weekes' words proved phrophetic. Weekes was dismissed less than 24 hours after the players' meeting and now the Lightning are under the leadership of a man who never played a single minute in the NHL.
Tortorella received a multi-year contract at undisclosed financial terms.
Tortorella, who joined the Lightning this summer as an associate coach, finished the 1999-00 season as interim coach of the New York Rangers. He has been an NHL assistant for 10 seasons with the Lightning, Rangers, Phoenix and Buffalo. He also spent two seasons as coach of the Sabres' AHL affiliate, leading the Rochester Americans to the Calder Cup championship in 1995-96.
Tortorella's playing experience was limited to Sweden and the Atlantic Coast Hockey League with Virginia, Hampton Roads and Erie. Still, Dudley was quick to offer him the job.
"We were fortunate to have a quality coach with the experience of John Tortorella within the organization," Dudley said. "His track record, familiarity, and comfort level with the team and our players eases the transition and positions us exceptionally for the future."
Tortorella becomes the fifth coach in the Lightning's history.
