You've got to love "Torch."
After years of working with Wild General Manager Chuck Fletcher and assistant GM Brent Flahr in Minnesota and Florida, John Torchetti's not going to let not getting the full-time coaching job after hoisting the Wild up from the abyss last season get in the way of nearly two decades of friendship.
He has zero bitterness.
Two weeks ago, he grabbed a beer with "Flahrzy." He keeps an eye on his old team and is proud "Grao, Schroeds and Foles" are getting full-time NHL shots. And, he still loves watching "Brods and ChAHlie," "Nino and Haulzy," "Spurge and Granny" on the tube.
And, Torchetti thinks Fletcher should be "GM of the $&#% Year."
"What, you don't?" Torchetti said on the phone after I chuckled mostly from the passion and accent in his voice, not so much the sentiment. "It may be only one move, but it was a heck of a move."
Torchetti was referring to signing Eric Staal.
"You need three centermen in this league. We always used to say, 'We need that third center,' " Torchetti said. "We all know they've got the 'D' and the goalie. And they've got some nice young guys coming. You see the world juniors?"