John Tortorella has done a good job turning around the Blue Jackets since taking over for Todd Richards, going 13-15-3 since Richards started 0-7. But there is still a ways to go. And if you listen to Tortorella talk after a loss to the Panthers on Sunday, there’s a long way to go. Tortorella torched the Jackets after the loss which punctuated an 0-3 road trip … especially the leaders.
“Let’s call a spade a spade. It’s embarrassing, and that’s what we are. I’m not going to tiptoe around here. That’s how we play right now, and I think I’m going to need to depend on the kids to get us out of this because I’m not getting squat from the top players as far as that stuff. (…) I see weakness. I think we’re weak mentally, and it’s not the kids. I worry about the kids getting into bad habits by watching other people. That’s frightening to me. That has to change.”
Let’s make one thing perfectly clear: John Tortorella cares not for your past accomplishments. And he cares not for your feelings. And if your feelings are sensitive, chances are they’ll be hurt if you play for Torts.
But what strikes me is the lightning speed in which Tortorella is using the whip on this team. First was the Ryan Johansen episode. Now, he blasts the entire leadership from Scott Hartnell on down by saying that Alexander Wennberg is his best player. Even for Tortorella this is quick. Torts never went this far this quick with the Rangers. He would bemoan the production of the top guys on the team but very rarely … if ever … the effort. That Tortorella is playing that card that quickly is telling.
Maybe he realizes that this might be his last coaching chance and he wants to be proactive. Or maybe there really is something wrong with the culture on the ice and he wants to put an end to it pronto. One thing is for sure: The speculation around this team come trading deadline is going to be fierce. And February 29th is going to be a lot of fun.
