Posted - 04/06/2012 : 11:54:43 N.Y. Rangers coach John Tortorella went on a tirade (which is not uncharacteristic for him) after a knee-on-knee hit in a game against the Penguins.
He was right to upset, and in calling the hit "cheap" and "dirty, he was not out of line. But to go further and say "I wonder what would happen if we did it to their two whining stars? (Obviously referring to Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.).
He went on to say "So I'm anxious to see what happens with the League. There's no respect amongst players. That's one of the most arrogant organizations in the league. They whine about this stuff all the time. It's ridiculous. But they'll whine about something else over there, won't they? Starting with their two (bleeping) stars."
One of the most arrogant organizations in the league? Really? When I think of the Penguins, I think of guys like Lemieux, Jagr and Francis, all classy players. Skipping forward to today, I look at their coach (Dan Bylsma), who is one of the most respected coaches in the league. I recall a recent Hockey News poll where Bylsma was selected as the coach most NHLers would want to play for. And where did Tortorella rank? Second last behind Ron Wilson, so with Wilson now fired, Tortorella ranks last!
I will give him all due credit and respect for the Rangers' success this season, but sometimes I wish he would zip it!
One last comment - how did Tortorella escape a fine for his recent tirade, while normally sedate Oilers head coach Tom Renney got a $10,000 fine for suggesting the NHL wants to see "Hollywood" (the Kings) make the playoffs?
3 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First)
Guest6114
Posted - 04/07/2012 : 07:23:30 It sounds to me like the Rangers and Flyers are doing a lot of whining about the Penguins so-called "whining".
I just find it funny when teams like the Rangers and especially the Flyers start questioning the class of other teams. Of course, I think Mike Milbury takes the cake in that department, right after beating up another 12 year old...
Guest9558
Posted - 04/06/2012 : 20:34:29 Tortorella is a loose cannon who says what he thinks. Sometimes he's entertaining and sometimes he's not. The Don Cherry of the future??
OILINONTARIO
Posted - 04/06/2012 : 16:48:06 The NHL fined Tortorella $20 000.
