The Dallas Stars are interested in hiring John Tortorella to fill their vacant head coaching position, according to Katie Strang. Dallas would need permission from the New York Rangers to speak with Tortorella, but the Rangers are unlikely to have any objection.

Dallas has been looking for a new head coach since new general manager Jim Nill fired Glen Gulutzan on May 14 and has received permission to speak to Alain Vigneault, who is also a candidate to take over for Tortorella in New York.

Tortorella was fired on May 29 by the Rangers after being eliminated in the second round of the playoffs, ending the coach's five-year stint in New York. Tortorella led the Rangers to the playoffs four times, including in 2011-12 when the Blueshirts finished with the best record in the Eastern Conference and advanced to their first conference finals since 1997.

Prior to joining the Rangers, Tortorella spent seven years leading the Tampa Bay Lightning, There, he took the Lightning from last place in is first full year to Stanley Cup champions in his fourth year.

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