John Tortorella Blames Players For Getting Injured After Big Hits
There is no doubt that the NHL is the fastest, most physical, and thus, most dangerous hockey league in the world. While the league is arguably safer than it ever has been before, Flyers head coach John Tortorella thinks that the players need to be more aware for their own safety.
Tortorella: "You've Got To Learn How To Take A Hit"
The controversial coach was at it again, making controversial comments about how the NHL is played these days. We all know Torts is a bit of an old-school kind of guy, but it really seems like he believes that the league has gone soft. His latest comments stirred up a conversation about player safety yet again.
"Our players in this league do not put enough emphasis on making sure you're protecting yourself from hits like that. Making sure you absorb
hits like that. We've kind of tried to turn this league into a no-hit league. Now people aren't ready to be hit .I think it's a lost art in how you take hits."
"I'm not trying to run down the league. I just think we've taken away the policing of the game from the players back in the day, and I'm not trying to go way back, but you've got to learn how to take a hit and if you do have a big hit, you shouldn't have to fight someone two seconds later because it's a big hit. That's what I don't get. Not blaming anybody; I just don't like where that part of the game is going."
hits like that. We've kind of tried to turn this league into a no-hit league. Now people aren't ready to be hit .I think it's a lost art in how you take hits."
"I'm not trying to run down the league. I just think we've taken away the policing of the game from the players back in the day, and I'm not trying to go way back, but you've got to learn how to take a hit and if you do have a big hit, you shouldn't have to fight someone two seconds later because it's a big hit. That's what I don't get. Not blaming anybody; I just don't like where that part of the game is going."
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The comments came after Flyers forward Garnet Hathaway received a 5 minute major penalty for a hit on Devils defenseman Luke Hughes.
Hathaway's Hit On Hughes Sparkes Controversy
The Flyers have been better than expected this year but they have not been entirely without controversy. It is hard to go a while season with John Tortorella behind the bench without something going on anyways. The latest controversy came on Thursday when Luke Hughes was sent to the locker room following this hit.
Hathaway received a match penalty in addition to the major, so his night was over following the hit. Tortorella clearly was not happy with the call and his post-game comments reflect his idea of what the NHL and its officiating should look like.
While the NHL is still the world's most physical league, it is obvious that it is far less physical than it used to be. Players do need to know how to protect themselves from hits as well, although not all hits are equal.
| POLL | ||
2 DECEMBRE | 153 ANSWERS John Tortorella Blames Players For Getting Injured After Big Hits Do you agree with Torts? | ||
| Yes | 53 | 34.6 % |
| Somewhat | 32 | 20.9 % |
| No, but I can see his point | 37 | 24.2 % |
| Not at all | 31 | 20.3 % |
| LIST OF POLLS | ||
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