John Tortorella's 'a little pissed-off' at those criticizing Tony DeAngelo and Chuck Fletcher
He hasn't even coached a game for the Philadelphia Flyers yet, but new bench boss John Tortorella is already jumping to the defense of one of his players and the team's GM. In an interview with ESPN, Torts was asked about the Flyers' signing of controversial defenceman Tony DeAngelo. Torts said DeAngelo is exactly the type of player he wants on his team.
"I'm a little pissed off about some of the things said about a couple of the players and Tony DeAngelo, at least some of the things I've read. I haven't read them all, I don't spend my day trying to listen to everybody, what they're talking about."
"Tony DeAngelo's a hell of a player, Tony DeAngelo has personality. Is he going to say and do some stupid stuff? You're damn right he is. But I'd rather have a guy doing stupid stuff than having a choir boy here just going about your business. You don't win that way, you don't win championships, you don't build a team without any personality. Tony's going to bring that and, plus, he's a hell of a player." - John Tortorella
"Tony DeAngelo's a hell of a player, Tony DeAngelo has personality. Is he going to say and do some stupid stuff? You're damn right he is. But I'd rather have a guy doing stupid stuff than having a choir boy here just going about your business. You don't win that way, you don't win championships, you don't build a team without any personality. Tony's going to bring that and, plus, he's a hell of a player." - John Tortorella
Tortorella also isn't too pleased with the criticism Philly GM Chuck Fletcher is receiving from the Flyers fan base, especially when it comes to not signing star free agent Johnny Gaudreau, who seemed to have the team high on his list of potential landing spots.
"But everybody's upset about Johnny G, that Johnny G wasn't signed. Any general manager would be interested in a guy like that and I'm sure Chuck was. But there's sometimes the lay of the land, where your contracts are at, where your cap's at and where your team's at, quite honestly. Is it time to sign a free agent like that? I think we have a little bit of building to do here and a little bit of growing."
In that regard, it's hard to disagree with him. While fans would have loved Gaudreau in a Flyers uniform, it likely wouldn't have changed much with the current composition of the team. There is a lot of work to be done in Philadelphia and it appears Torts is ready to roll up his sleeves and get at it.
Source: ESPN.com
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