John Tortorella buries many players at once right before puck drop

Why do people still trust Philadelphia Flyers head coach John Tortorella near a microphone? The lesson could have been taught earlier this week when he called out his players during a in-game interview at the bench, but, no, Torts got a chance to do it again on Friday.

Ahead of the Flyers’ game against the Pittsburgh Penguins, classic Tortorella was back at it when he was live before puck drop on the NHL on TNT pre-game show.

“It’s a young dumb league,” Tortorella told host and former forward Paul Bissonette when asked about coaching the newest generation of NHL players. “There are so many more mistakes made now in our game than back in the day.”

He did not end there or walk away in frustration, as he had done earlier this week during the game, but instead mentioned how important it is to change as a coach to get the most out of his group.

“Coaches, we’ve evolved, I think you have to because I used to be that ‘dot the I, cross the t’ and forecast what the game was going to be before it’s played. Now I think you need to allow them to live through some of those mistakes for them to mature.”

Torts surely knows how to push his players to the limit, however, his pre-game comments might have hurt the younger players on the roster as the Flyers struggled mightily against the Penguins that night. Philadelphia lost 4-1. 

The interview had another classic Torts touch. When asked by Anson Carter if the bench boss’ relationship with the media had improved and if he had any newfound sympathy for reporters after his experience last season on ESPN. Predictably Tortorella did not waste time giving his answer.

“No.”

Gotta love, Torts. Unless you’re a new member of this young, dumb league…