There are different ways to get your message across when you’re dissatisfied with your training: running players around the arena like Eddie Shore did, putting them through training immediately after the game like Herb Brooks.
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John Tortorella instead forced them to sit at their lockers, fully clothed, to face members of the media. Even those who did not take part in the meeting were present, in city clothes. Unheard of since Alain Vigneault’s years at the helm of the Habs, according to venerable colleagues.
“They have to answer the questions,” said the Flyers coach, once the locker room closed, without confirming if the decision was his.
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Mines were low in the four corners of this tiny room. Sean Couturier spoke.
“It’s disappointing and frustrating right now. The important thing is to stay together, support each other, argued the captain, emphasizing after a few seconds of hesitation that retaining the players was a decision of the organization. It would be easy to point the finger at others. It’s important to stay together to get through this adversity.”
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“A merciless league”
The Flyers have a tank and a barge of adversity. After arriving in Montreal with a record of 0-5-2, they had quite a slap in the face.
“We have reached the bottom of the barrel,” said Tortorella. I hate to see us playing this way at this time of the season after doing so many good things during the season.
“I don’t question the effort or the will,” he added. It’s been a strong group all year. We lost more of our effectiveness in managing matches. And it’s a ruthless league.”
We don’t know if Tortorella feels the rug is slipping out from under his feet, but after a few harsh attacks on his players in recent weeks, he is a little more confident in his comments.
“No matter what we’re going through right now, it’s a good group of players. I’m frustrated for them to see how this is going. We have three games left. We must heal our wounds and move forward. It’s up to all of us to do it the right way. I don’t know how it’s going to end, but I want us to play the right way. I’m confident we’ll get that.”
It will be intriguing to keep an eye on this.