Oilers' Roslovic Recalls Tortorella's Unwavering Coaching Standards
Edmonton Oilers forward Jack Roslovic, who previously played under the guidance of veteran coach John Tortorella during their time together with the Columbus Blue Jackets, recently shared his perspective on Tortorella's distinctive coaching methodology. This comes as Tortorella makes a surprising return to the National Hockey League bench, taking over as interim head coach for the Vegas Golden Knights with just eight games remaining in the regular season.
A Coaching Philosophy Built on Daily Accountability
Roslovic emphasized the consistency of Tortorella's approach, describing it as fundamentally straightforward yet demanding. "He has one expectation of you, and that's to work every day. He holds you to that ... that's the standard he sets," Roslovic stated, highlighting the coach's reputation for direct communication. "He's very honest. He'll tell you if you're not working to that standard."
The Oilers forward, who recently achieved the 20-goal milestone this season, noted that Tortorella's methods apply uniformly across the roster. "It's very fair, it's the same for everyone," Roslovic added, suggesting this egalitarian approach forms the cornerstone of Tortorella's coaching identity.
Tortorella's Unexpected Return to NHL Action
The timing of Tortorella's hiring raises eyebrows across the hockey world. The Golden Knights organization made the dramatic decision to dismiss Bruce Cassidy and appoint Tortorella on an interim basis during the final stretch of the regular season. This marks Tortorella's sixth NHL team assignment, following previous tenures with:
- Tampa Bay Lightning (where he won a Stanley Cup)
- New York Rangers
- Vancouver Canucks
- Columbus Blue Jackets
- Philadelphia Flyers
Remarkably, Tortorella's return comes almost exactly one year after his departure from Philadelphia, where he was released on March 27, 2025. He now assumes the Vegas position on March 29, 2026, with the Golden Knights paying him a reduced salary while he completes the final year of his Flyers contract.
Roslovic's Personal Experience with Tortorella
Roslovic played under Tortorella during the 2020-21 COVID-affected season in Columbus, giving him firsthand experience with the coach's intense style. "I think he just misses it. He lives on a lot of land. Maybe he gets lonely, I don't know what it is," Roslovic joked about Tortorella's motivation for returning to coaching.
The forward expressed little surprise at Tortorella's comeback, noting the coach's recent involvement with Team USA at the Olympics and television work. "Surprised he's back? No. I think it's a good thing for both parties. We'll see how it works out," Roslovic commented, acknowledging the experimental nature of this arrangement for both coach and team.
Immediate Challenges and Future Uncertainty
Tortorella faces immediate pressure in Las Vegas, taking over a team that recently conducted its season photo with Cassidy still at the helm. The Golden Knights now face the peculiar task of potentially editing Tortorella into their official team photograph for the 2025-2026 campaign.
His assignment is strictly temporary—he will guide the team through the remaining regular season games and any playoff matches they might reach. No commitments have been made regarding his position beyond this season, creating an unusual dynamic as the team prepares for potential postseason competition.
Roslovic will have an early opportunity to observe Tortorella's latest coaching chapter firsthand when the Golden Knights visit Edmonton for a final regular-season matchup. This game could potentially serve as a preview of a first-round Pacific Division playoff series, adding another layer of intrigue to Tortorella's dramatic mid-season return to NHL coaching.
