Tortorella: Notion that Flyers don't belong is 'bullshit'
John Tortorella expects more from his Philadelphia Flyers down the stretch and feels his players are buying into a narrative that isn't giving them enough credit.
The outspoken head coach explained Wednesday what he believes is troubling the club at this crucial juncture of the campaign but dismissed the idea that players would tune him out.
"It always comes down to, 'Oh, they're going to quit on him.' It follows me around. And so be it," Tortorella told reporters Wednesday. "If a player is going to quit on me, or players are going to quit on me because I'm trying to make them better people or better athletes, you've got the wrong damn coach here, and you've got the wrong damn people here."
Tortorella harshly criticized his team following Monday's overtime loss to the New York Islanders, saying only "one guy played - the goalie (newcomer Ivan Fedotov)." He also called out "certain people" who "don't have it in them to play in these types of situations" and described the Flyers' second-period performance as embarrassing.
The bench boss didn't back down from those comments Wednesday.
"I was in control the other night," he said. "What I said, I meant. And quite honestly, when I watch the tape now, I'm more concerned than just the second period. Because of, I'm so proud of the team getting here.
"I guess now the narrative out there is - because I've heard from other people - that they're young, they're not supposed to be here. Bullshit. We're here. We're here. Face it. And let's be better. And I don't think we're ready to be better, and that's my problem with us right now. And it is my job - I have not done a good enough job to get them over the hump. ... I haven't done a good enough job to make them understand we have to be different now."
"If players are going to quit on me because I'm trying to make them better people and better athletes you've got the wrong damn coach here." - John Tortorella pic.twitter.com/LHW2qQjtD8
- Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) April 3, 2024
The Flyers came into Wednesday's action sitting third in the Metropolitan Division but have won only two of their last 10 games. They have a 61.9% chance of making the playoffs, per MoneyPuck.
Four of Philadelphia's next five contests are against subpar teams (the Buffalo Sabres, Columbus Blue Jackets, Montreal Canadiens, and New Jersey Devils).
The Flyers will also take on the division-leading New York Rangers before closing out the regular season against the Washington Capitals, who are jockeying with them for a playoff berth. The Caps entered Wednesday ahead of Philadelphia by points percentage, but the Flyers have one more point with two more games played.
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