Tortorella feels ‘thrilled’ to coach Del Zotto again
Along with his 657 games in the NHL, Michael Del Zotto also has played 11 games as a professional with the Connecticut Whale of the American Hockey League.
It happened during the 2010-11 season, when the defenseman was 20 years old and playing his second season with the New York Rangers for coach John
Tortorella.
“I had ‘Del Z’ when he came (into the NHL) as a first-year player in New York,” said Tortorella, now the Blue Jackets’ coach and one of the reasons Del Zotto signed a one-year, two-way contact Sunday that officially reunited the two. “(He was) full of swagger. Sometimes a little bit too much swagger. Went through a process with me. Sent him down. Wasn’t happy. All that
stuff that we always talk about when you’re dealing with a young guy, he went through it with me.”
That included the AHL stint, which didn’t last long.
The Whale has since become the Hartford Wolf Pack and things have also changed for both Del Zotto and Tortorella – who stayed in contact after both left the Rangers.
Tortorella coached the Vancouver Canucks for one season (2013-14), sat out a year after being fired there and accepted the Blue Jackets’ job in 2015. Del Zotto, selected 20th overall by the Rangers in 2008, has since played for the Nashville Predators, Philadelphia Flyers, Canucks, Anaheim Ducks and St. Louis Blues – with whom he earned a 2019 Stanley Cup ring despite not playing in that postseason.
Player and coach have evolved since they were with the Rangers. Both would now like to see if reuniting can help the Blue Jackets during the upcoming 56-game season.
“The team is a team trying to win,” said Del Zotto, who had two goals, 13 assists and 15 points in 49 games for the Ducks last season. “I’ve been in some unfortunate circumstances in the past few years, being on rebuilding teams where no matter how well you played, it didn’t matter.”
That’s not the case in Columbus, where there is open competition for both spots on the third defense pairing and could be multiple spots available for defensemen on the new taxi squad added for this season.
Del Zotto, a left-hand shooter who’s comfortable playing either point, has a reputation as a defensive liability. He also has a knack for moving the puck and experience on both special teams – qualities the Jackets had to sacrifice in offseason trades that sent away defensemen Ryan Murray (New Jersey Devils) and Markus Nutivaara (Florida Panthers).
Tortorella, meanwhile, sees a different player than he coached before.
“I remember him when he was just a wise-ass when he came into New York, and now he’s a 30-year-old man – and you can see that maturity,” said Tortorella, who recalled times when Del Zotto wouldn’t even speak to him. “That’s pretty cool for me, in starting with a young guy, having some struggles and conflict with him, and seeing how he’s grown up to be a man. I’m thrilled that he’s here.”
Depth move
The Blue Jackets have signed goalie Cam Johnson, 26, to a one-year, twoway contract. Johnson posted an 11-16-5 record with a 3.80 goals-against average and .873 save percentage and one shutout in 32 career games with the Binghamton Devils.
Cuts coming
The Blue Jackets played a second simulated game Sunday night at Nationwide Arena and Tortorella said he would pare the NHL roster afterward. Players who are placed on the new taxi squad, however, will be allowed to practice with the NHL team.
bhedger@gannett.com @Brianhedger