THE PHILADELPHIA TIMES (AP) — During his postgame press conference Wednesday night, Philadelphia Flyers coach John Tortorella slammed a beat writer, challenging a report about the trade of top prospect Cutter Gauthier on Monday.
Gauthier informed Flyers GM Danny Briere that he did not want to play in Philadelphia or for the Flyers. Because they were unable to sign Gauthier, the Flyers sent him to Anaheim on Monday in exchange for defenseman Jamie Drysdale.
According to a reporter on a team-affiliated podcast, citing an organizational source, former Flyers forward Kevin Hayes’ “fingerprints are all over this.” Hayes, a former Boston College player, is presently with the St. Louis Blues.
Tortorella disputed the claim following Philadelphia’s 3-2 win over Montreal on Wednesday night.
“Is the guy here that caused Kevin Hayes a problem?” Tortorella inquired.
“Yes,” he said.
“Are you serious? try you think Kevin Hayes will try something like that? “…,” Tortorella explained. “It just irritates me that you guys throw that around and have an impact on someone’s life.” Kevin Hayes and I were having a disagreement over how to proceed.
“He’s a good man.” That’s a nice gentleman. And what you say will stick with him. That is what you do not understand. You’re going to sit there and claim you’ve got the right contacts….”
Tortorella then referred to it as a “silly podcast.”
Drysdale, who had an assist and performed well in his first game with the Flyers, was commended by the coach.
“I was impressed how he handled himself,” he went on to say.
Leave a Reply