John Tortorella Among Top Eastern Conference Coaches on Hot Seat in 2012-13

The Eastern Conference is often viewed as far more wide open than the Western Conference. The Pittsburgh Penguins may have a slight edge in talent than the rest of the conference members, but serious health issues for Sidney Crosby have leveled the field.

The wide-open nature of the conference gives a number of teams the ability to climb to the top. Expectations are high for the New York Rangers, Tampa Bay Lightning, Philadelphia Flyers and the Boston Bruins. If these teams don't respond with big years in 2012-13, all of their head coaches could face considerable heat.

John Tortorella, New York Rangers

John Tortorella may have more disdain for the media than any coach or manager in the four major sports. His press conferences are often harsh, nasty and rude. His attitude at these media meetings appears to be fueled by his team's play and a lack of respect for his questioners' knowledge of the sport.

But there's a lot more to his coaching game than just verbally backhanding the media. He is one of the best motivators in the game and he led his team to a 51-24-7 record in 2011-12. The Rangers were the favorites to get to the Stanley Cup Finals from the Eastern Conference, but it was not like his team was an unstoppable juggernaut.

The Rangers need more offensive firepower and can't just depend on Brad Richards and a somewhat inconsistent Marian Gaborik for their crucial goals. Management needs to provide more scoring.

However, that won't let Tortorella off the hook. The Rangers served notice during the regular season that they can play with the elite teams in the NHL. They need to get past the conference finals next year or Tortorella will be under the gun.

Guy Boucher, Tampa Bay Lightning

Guy Boucher was the hot young coach in 2010-2011 when he led the Tampa Bay Lightning to a 103-point season and a spot in the playoffs. Not only did they play consistently during the regular season, they came from behind to beat the Pittsburgh Penguins in the opening round and dominated the Washington Capitals in the second round.

Then they moved to the Eastern Conference Finals where they pushed the eventual Stanley Cup champion Boston Bruins to the 7th game. In a game that was as well-played and hard hitting as you can get, the Lightning lost 1-0 on a late goal by Boston's Nathan Horton.

The pain from that defeat impacted the Lightning last season and they failed to make the playoffs despite having Steven Stamkos and Martin St. Louis on the roster. Stamkos may be the most talented goal scorer in the league while St. Louis is still a deft playmaker.

The Lightning must return to the playoffs in 2012-13 or this bright coach may find himself on the outside looking in.

Peter Laviolette, Philadelphia Flyers

Peter Laviolette won a Stanley Cup with the Carolina Hurricanes in 2005-06 during his fourth season as an NHL head coach. That was a remarkable achievement — Carolina did not have overwhelming talent or goaltending — but it may not have been Laviolette's best coaching moment.

That came in the 2010 playoffs when the Philadelphia Flyers found themselves trailing 3-0 to the Boston Bruins in their second-round playoff series. They appeared to have no chance, but the Flyers mounted a miraculous comeback and knocked the Bruins out in seven games.

The Flyers appeared to be on their way to another strong playoff showing when they defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first round this year. But they were smacked around and sent packing by the New Jersey Devils in the second round. If Laviolette can't take his team to the Eastern Conference Finals or beyond this year, he will face considerable pressure in Philadelphia.

Claude Julien, Boston Bruins

Claude Julien led the Boston Bruins to their first Stanley Cup in 39 years when they brought home hockey's holy grail in 2011. Julien showed a keen eye for putting his players in advantageous match-ups and that allowed them to get through four rounds against the Montreal Canadiens, Philadelphia Flyers, Tampa Bay Lightning and the Vancouver Canucks.

Julien did not lose any of that ability last season, but the Bruins dropped a first-round playoff match-up to the Washington Capitals. The team simply did not have the energy level it displayed during the Stanley Cup run. Julien and the Bruins won't have Tim Thomas next season, but the heat is back on the Bruins to at least get through the Eastern Conference next season.

If they don't, Julien may face considerable pressure from the team's demanding fan base. He may have earned another year of a grace period, but the team is loaded with talent and they should be able to dominate on a regular basis. If they don't, the coach could pay the price.