TORTORELLA IN NO RUSH TO NAME A CAPTAIN-SMART MOVE?
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FrankieOctober 10, 2022 (9:43 PM)
The last 4 to 5 years we saw the New York Rangers go without a captain. Leadership is not something that is earned. It's a different kind of player. It's the hardest working guy in the locker room. The first guy in and last guy out. The Rangers have finally announced their new captain as they are one of the top teams in the NHL.
The situation is a bit different here in Philadelphia. One of the biggest concerns for the roster is the leadership and accountability that is lacked from this team. So, the big question being-should the Flyers name a captain. The answer is NO.
The signing of John Tortorella was one of the best moves that has been made during the offseason. Since being named the 23rd head coach in Flyers history, he has expressed his concern with the locker room and not been thrilled with what he has seen.
Flyers players on notice 👀👀👀 HC John Tortorella with a strong statement about the locker room. #BringItToBroad https://t.co/jFjnv7N4GQ� Brandon J. Sommermann (@B_Sommermann) September 8, 2022
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Tortorella was on Sirius XM NHL Network Radio on Wednesday and had expressed serious discontent with the Flyers' culture in the locker room, and with franchise icon and former captain Claude Giroux now playing for the Ottawa Senators, Tortorella made it vehemently clear that he's in no rush to name a new captain.
«As far as the room, I have major concerns about the room,» said Tortorella
«I've spent the summer going back and forth � I live in New York and I go back and forth to Philly trying to relocate there, but spent some time in the office talking to players, talking to personnel, talking to Chuck (Fletcher), all the front office, and I have major concerns about what goes on in there. Before we even step onto the ice, situations and standards and accountability in the room is forefront, and you can't get squat done on the ice until you get your room straightened out, and I think we have a little bit of work to do there.»
It may not be realistic to expect things to magically improve following the departure of Giroux. But Tortorella has united locker rooms before, and it's not unreasonable to think he'll be able to do the same thing in Philadelphia.
He certainly has his work cut out for him, though.
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