O’Connor: On John Tortorella’s Flyers legacy — the good and bad — and why now, others control how it will be viewed

The story of the 2024-25 Philadelphia Flyers is, and will remain, John Tortorella.
Even three weeks after his abrupt firing on March 27, his presence looms like an ominous shadow over every topic, every conversation. Interim head coach Brad Shaw, still close friends with Tortorella, regularly references him. Late-season surges by players are quickly attributed to being the result of Tortorella's exit. And the looming head coach search will surely be consumed with internal discussions over who is best stylistically suited to succeed Tortorella -- who can make clear distinctions with his predecessor while also not tearing down all of the good that came from Tortorella's tenure.
And yes, there ...