I completely support the general manager’s view that firing Tortorella was the right decision. It’s important to look at the situation in hindsight.
Tortorella had a team that was capable of winning and capable of taking the championship series. The opening games showed that clearly. However, when the situation changed — specifically after Carolina changed goaltenders — his team needed to adapt as well. That included adjusting their own style of play. This is where Tortorella fell short.
The team had all the necessary resources to make those adjustments; what was needed were strong coaching decisions. Good coaching means not using a challenge when it isn’t necessary. It means using one when it is necessary. It also means being able to adjust the team, its tactics, and its style of play during the game itself. That is one of a coach’s core responsibilities.
The Vegas Golden Knights won the opening games because they were more creative and more adaptable. They lost the games that followed because they stopped showing that same adaptability and creativity.