Tampa, FL (Best E Casino) - The Tampa Bay Lightning have fired head coach John Tortorella.

Tortorella, who had one year remaining on his contract, led the Lightning to a Stanley Cup championship after the 2003-04 season, but the club was bounced in the first round of the next two playoffs and finished this season dead last in the NHL, earning the No. 1 pick in the upcoming draft.

"This has been a very difficult decision because of everything that John Tortorella has meant to and done for this organization," said Lightning general manager Jay Feaster. "Torts came to Tampa and not only built the foundation under our club, but he also changed the culture and raised the expectations, eventually leading us to the Stanley Cup in 2004. What he accomplished during his tenure in Tampa was nothing short of remarkable and our organization will always owe him our thanks, gratitude and deep respect."

Tortorella took over behind the bench with 43 games remaining in the 2001-02 season and finished his tenure with a record of 239-222-36-38.

"John was entering the final year of his contract and extending his contract was not a viable option," Feaster added. "Having him enter and coach the season in a lame duck status was not something I was prepared to recommend to ownership."

Last week it was reported that Tortorella was on his way out and former Los Angeles Kings coach Barry Melrose was the top candidate for the vacancy.

Melrose, who is currently a featured NHL analyst for ESPN, has not coached a team since he left the Kings in the 1994-95 season. In the 1992-93 season, he helped guide the Kings to their first and only Stanley Cup Finals appearance, which the team lost in five games to the Montreal Canadiens. However, Los Angeles failed to make the playoffs in the next two seasons.