Before the 1999–2000 NHL season Torchetti was hired as an assistant coach for the Tampa Bay Lightning under Steve Ludzik. In 2002, Torchetti returned to San Antonio when he was hired as head coach of the San Antonio Rampage in the American Hockey League (AHL). After 65 games he was promoted to assistant coach with the parent club, the Florida Panthers. In 2004, he served 27 games as interim head coach, replacing Rick Dudley. He finished with a 10–12–4–1 record before being replaced by Jacques Martin. During the 2005–06 NHL season, Torchetti was hired by Dave Taylor as interim head coach of the Los Angeles Kings. With a chance to clinch a playoff spot, he had a 5–7 record in the team's final 12 games and was not retained by the Kings, instead being replaced by Marc Crawford.