The Daily: Tortorella Won’t Stop Venting; Old School Line Brawl

John Tortorella is the NHL’s fire breathing dragon. When he opens his mouth, people are burned.

The Philadelphia Flyers run of Tortorella hot-take moments continued when he let loose with a fiery speech to amplify how he feels about his team. Was this directed at fans or players? Maybe both. Jonathan Bailey has the story of another Tortorella blast.

“It follows me around, and so be it,” Tortorella said. “If a player is going to quit on me, or players or 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, and you’ve got the wrong damn people here,” Tortorella began.

“My job is, I’m going to push athletes. . . I was in control the other night. 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.

“And I guess now that narrative out there is, because I’ve heard from other people, is that they’re young, they’re not supposed to be here… bulls–t! We’re here! We’re here; face it!”

The Flyers are 5-7-4 since March 1 and 0-3-2 in their last five games.

“I don’t think we’re ready to be better, and that’s my problem with us right now,” Tortorella concluded. “And it is my job. I have not done a good enough job to get them over the hump after playing those seven games. I haven’t done a good enough job to make them understand we have to be different now. We have to be at a different level.

“That’s my frustration with me, and that’s my frustration with the team. If people can’t handle it, so be it.”

John Tortorella delivered an impassioned @NHLFlyers press conference today, explaining his coaching philosophies and interactions with players.

A must-watch 90-seconds 🍿 pic.twitter.com/8mvhOVvLBu

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) April 3, 2024

An Old Fashioned Line Brawl

You gotta this: The New Jersey Devils and New York Rangers engaged in a 1970s-style line brawl. New Jersey Hockey Now’s James Nichols explains why this happened.

A FULL ON 5v5 LINE BRAWL TO START THE GAME 😱

CHAOS AT MSG ‼️ pic.twitter.com/k95BsP34xA

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) April 3, 2024

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

• Michael Rasmussen will miss Friday’s game against the New York Rangers with an upper body injury. He is questionable for Sunday’s game as well.
• The Simon Edvinsson era has officially started with the Detroit Red Wings. He has played well enough to be included in Detroit’s regular mix.
• Two Red Wings prospects honored, including Toledo Walleye goalie Jan Bednar.
• Detroit prospect defensemen Axel Sandin Pellikka and Anton Johansson are making an impact in the Swedish Hockey League.

Red Wings Next Game

Alex Lyon will be making a third consecutive start in goal Friday when the Red Wings play at home against the New York Rangers.  He has stopped 70 out of 74 shots (.946 save percentage) in his past two starts.

Hockey Now Network

Boston: Jimmy Murphy explores whether James van Riemsdyk will be in the Boston Bruins‘ lineup for the opening game of NHL playoffs.

Chicago: Nate Brown says former Red Wings player Petr Mrazek has been the Chicago Blackhawks MVP this season.

Colorado: Valeri Nichushkin will join the Colorado Avalanche on their road trip? Will he play? Evan Rawal weighs in.

Montreal: MHN offers some possible offseason trade targets for the Montreal Canadiens.

Pittsburgh: Dan Kingerski writes that the Pittsburgh Penguins may finally be showing their character with a last-ditch run at making the playoffs.