John Tortorella Blasts Reporter Who Started Completely False Rumour
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John Tortorella never shies away from speaking his mind. The veteran NHL coach, currently working for the Philadelphia Flyers, had a big week.
Eventful Week in Philadelphia: Gauthier, Drysdale, Tortorella, and Hayes in the Spotlight
The trade of Cutter Gauthier, fifth overall pick in 2022, for the 2020 sixth overall pick Jamie Drysdale and a second-round draft pick left many fans surprised.
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Gauthier, who told the Flyers at the draft that he was destined to play in Philadelphia, later informed them he would never sign with the organization.
Tortorella publicly criticized Gauthier earlier in the week, stating:
"I don't know Cutter [Gauthier] from a hole in the wall."
Amidst these developments, Anthony SanFilippo, a reporter covering the Flyers, tried to spread a false rumor that accused Kevin Hayes, a former Flyer, of influencing Gauthier's decision not to sign in Philadelphia.
This baseless rumor led to Hayes, now with the St. Louis Blues, and his family to receive death threats. Hayes, who had lost his brother Jimmy a few years ago, even received messages from people saying they were happy his brother was dead.
Needless to say that SanFilippo has a part of the blame to take.
In a press conference with SanFilippo, Tortorella blasted him.
Tortorella Defends Hayes and Criticizes Reporter Anthony SanFilippo
The coach didn't mince his words:
John Tortorella ripped into Anthony SanFilippo:
"Is the guy here that caused Kevin Hayes a problem?"
Yes.
"Are kidding me? Do you think Kevin Hayes is going to do something like that?
"It pisses me off that you guys throw that shit around and it affects someone's life. Kevin Hayes and I had a problem, we couldn't come to an agreement on how to play. That's a good man. That's a good man. And what you said is going to stay with him. That's what you guys don't understand. And you're going to sit there and say you have the right sources. I call bullshit."
"Is the guy here that caused Kevin Hayes a problem?"
Yes.
"Are kidding me? Do you think Kevin Hayes is going to do something like that?
"It pisses me off that you guys throw that shit around and it affects someone's life. Kevin Hayes and I had a problem, we couldn't come to an agreement on how to play. That's a good man. That's a good man. And what you said is going to stay with him. That's what you guys don't understand. And you're going to sit there and say you have the right sources. I call bullshit."
SanFilippo later went on X to share his frustration, making everyone even more pissed at him.
Well, Torts just lit me up in his press conference about Kevin Hayes. Completely unprompted. That ought to be a joy for everyone for the next couple days.
SanFilippo's reputation has definitely taken a hit since then. Tortorella probably gained fans with that comment.
As seen on Markerzone - John Tortorella Berates Reporter Who Started Baseless Rumour
| POLL | ||
11 JANVIER | 119 ANSWERS John Tortorella Blasts Reporter Who Started Completely False Rumour Do you share Tortorella's stance on SanFilippo? | ||
| Yes | 85 | 71.4 % |
| No | 34 | 28.6 % |
| List of polls | ||
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