Injuries, injuries, injuries

Thought Torts was a little harsh, shutting down his players from talking about their injuries. So there was Ryan Craig today, straining to bend over and pick up his underwear and put on his shirt. Ask him how he thought he got a herniated disc and he just smiles and says, "We're not supposed to talk about it.''

I get Tortorella's motivation. He saw a frenzy coming after Dan Boyle got hurt, and with all the other injuries in camp (Tuesday wing Jason Ward left practice with a strained left ankle tendon, though that is not considered serious), he does not want the players distracted. He also said he doesn't want the players to use injuries as a crutch. Still, part of me always wonders about such edicts. These are adults, after all, and professionals. I always figure they should be free to speak if they choose. Then again, I didn't lead a team to the Stanley Cup.

Anyway, the team said Ward's nick is not supposed to be anything to worry about. Tortorella said Craig will not need surgery on his back, and Chris Gratton skated with a visor and is expected to play Thursday in Detroit.

The team had its first power-play practice of the season. The first unit had Filip Kuba and Brad Richards on point with Michel Ouellet, Vinny Lecavalier and Marty St. Louis. The second unit had Shane O'Brien and Doug Janik on the points with Jan Hlavac, Vinny Prospal and Ward, and also Gratton and Andreas Karlsson getting some time.

Torts said he would not make final cuts until after Saturday's game in Dallas. He still believes he will keep 21 or 22 players.    

Comments

[Nan]

I agree with you Damian that it seems a bit much to decree to the players that they can't talk about their injuries. I can maybe see it if the players bring it up themselves, Torts having a problem with that but not if the media asks them. I think that Torts must not have a very high opinion of his players ability to concentrate. The injuries are distracting to them? Come on Torts! This is one of those times that you just shrug it off and say Torts is just being Torts again!

[keith]

As fans we would like to think that we have some sort of personal contact with the team and individual players.We feel sorry for their downs and injuries. That because they are athletes their relationship with their employer and supervisors should be different to us regular Joes. If my boss tells me not to do something, I'm probably going to do as he says, whether I like it or not, hoping that there may be some method to his individual madness. Torts has always done things a little different, but always his way.When he took over the team what now seems like eons ago, The Forum was a ghost arena on game nights, we won 20 games a season in a good year. Torts has earned the right to do things his way, and had a just a little success doing so. Sure he has his critics, coaches always will. If the boys have a great year, which I would bet $ they will, then all this will be moot. If he says dont talk about injuries, then thats what the boys have to do. I would also like to think that a lot of the "nicks" and "bangs" we have been reading about with our lust for the season to begin, during the season would go unreported or noticed. These guys will play hurt, its what they love to do.Is it Oct 4th yet? It could be worse. This could be game 75, holding onto a 3 point division lead and these injuries happen. get 'em out of the way now.

[Ray]

I agree with Tort's decision not to talk about injuries simply for the fact that if another team knows exactly what it is, they would probably attack it and make it worse.

[Tim A]

There are some serious implications here and Torts may have felt that he was losing control and chose to shut everyone out, after all that's what Torts is all about. If Torts felt that players may use their injuries as a crutch then he wanted to deal with it in the way he usually deals with adversity. I still think Torts is a first class coach and his reasoning, although unorthodox and gruff, has to be respected.

[mbab]

nan...that is a legendary quote...torts just being torts...like I said...I think torts just likes the attention "HE" gets.....

[John]

I agree with all of the above with the exception of MBAB.

John Tortorella is the best thing that has happened to this franchise.

Love em or hate em,
"HE" is a top notch coach in this league.
"HE" demands his players be accountable and not make excuses.
"HE" is oblivious to what the fans and media think of his methods.
"HE" and his wife have several local charities they are quietly involved in.
"HE" is a great role model.

[Mike13]

I don't think that it's such a big deal that Tortorella wants radio silence on the topic of injuries. He wants his guys to fight through them and if they continually talk about them, its that much harder to do.

As much as I dislike his rough hewn demeanor when it comes to his handling of the players in the media, I respect the heck out of the guy for the success that he has breathed into the org and the charity work he and his wife do in our community.

All the injuries are a little concerning, but at least none of our guys have been clocked like DiMaio was last year or like McAmmond (from the Senators) was last night from some over zealous player trying to make a name for himself.

[Travis]

In Torts We Trust. The message is loud and clear about injuries: "Shut Your Yap!"

[mbab]

torts gets the most out of the gang....i know he does alot in the community...but it ain't just me...nationwide he is very well known as a loose cannon verbally...this is my one and only gripe with him ...always bringing his gripes to the press....you ever had a boss scream at you in front of your fellow employees???somehow i don't think you would feel very motivated....their is a section in the yearly "the hockey news" publication..."quick six guarantees"...and down at number six....and I will quote...."Tampa bay lightning coach john tortorella will flip his lid on some poor soul"....you can run a tight ship without calling your players out to the media...just my humble opinion...go bolts

[Mike13]

I don't disagree with you MBAB. I really wish he wouldn't do that. I loose a little bit of respect for him every time he does it.

Be that as it may, I don't that he is out of line with this situation about the injuries.