Aaron Portzline covers the Columbus Blue Jackets for The Athletic and knows John Tortorella fairly well. Today, he went on TSN 690 and actually said that Torts benching Patrik Laine may mean he wants out.
Pretty shocking, but it doesn’t sound like the John Tortorella I know.
John Tortorella benches another star, this time Patrik Laine
A coach is paid to win hockey games, it’s that simple. Each coach has their own method and Torts’ may be the simplest of them all.
Just work hard.
If you don’t, you won’t play and it’s that easy.