John Tortorella gets a new job for the 2025-26 season

ESPN has announced its broadcast team for the 2025-26 NHL season featuring Bob Wischusen, Cassie Campbell-Passcall, PK Subban, Kevin Weekes, Leah Hextall, TJ Oshie and... JOHN TORTORELLA!

From ESPN's press release announcement:

John Tortorella returns to ESPN’s NHL studio coverage as an analyst this season, marking a homecoming to the team he first joined in 2021 when ESPN re-acquired NHL media rights. Known for his candid insights and authentic commentary, Tortorella will bring his deep understanding of the game as a veteran coach with 23 NHL seasons behind the bench, including leading the Tampa Bay Lightning to a Stanley Cup championship in the 2003-04 season.

This isn't Torts' first media gig, of course. He has worked with ESPN in the past and was notably a member of TSN's broadcast team on and off throughout the years. You have to wonder though, that if this is Tortorella's indefinite future?

In past years, Tortorella made it clear that he was only doing media work in between coaching jobs. But at 67 years old and with seemingly no interest from NHL teams, this might be Torts' new full-time gig. If that's the case, sign me up! ESPN broadcasts were an absolute snooze-fest at the best of times and an absolute cringe-fest at the worst of times last season. Tortorella should help at least bring some genuine analysis to coverage.