MICHAEL DEL ZOTTO TALKS ABOUT JOHN TORTORELLA 

I worked at Nationwide Arena for all of Tort's seasons. He and his wife are awesome people. Coach would take his time to check on me and make sure I was always good. He was always a man of his word and I will always be appreciative for watching him be the LEADER of our Blue Jackets.

Been a Flyers fan since the 80's and after watching last year's debacle, he seems like the perfect hire to put a foot in the players asses.

met torts while he was walking his dogs as a young fan driving through a neighborhood in new york when he was coaching here. i was so scared from seeing his intimidating demeanor on tv, my mom had to ask him to sign my hat. but his response instantly was so kind and genuine. he smiled and said he was glad to sign my hat. after that i knew my perception of him was skewed by mistaking his passion for hate.

I loved Torts with my Rangers. It actually pains me to have to see him now in Philly because we’re big Rivals. Philly is lucky to have him. He going to turn the Bullies around quick. Looking forward to rekindling this rivalry.

Respect for Torts

Long time Flyers Fan. Last year, for the first time, I got sick and tired of watching them. Somebody (Torts) needs to light a fire under their tired asses. I mean this in the nicest of ways. I loved listening to the press conference and am highly excited for the pre-season to start. 100% behind Torts!!!!

BAM!!! Wow these guys hit it on the head as far as the entitlement aspect is concerned. Things have changed so much over the years and a certain part of a person has to feel sorry for the players but for the wrong reasons. You don't earn, you are given and that statement sets a player up for a drifter's life of just waiting for the next entitlment to come along. If you know you have to work hard for what you want, you can appreciate it much more and can deal with the ups and downs instead of crawling inside a pill bottle, a bottle of booze or any other thing that one thinks will fill the void. It's too bad when a coach has to be the parent the player never had. I imagine it can drain a person after a while. Sometimes you have to be cruel (constructive) to be kind and that might help to describe Tortorella's ways as Riley Cote has mentioned in not so many words. Today, coaching no matter what level you're in, must be so difficult because of all the political correctness that floats above in the ether just waiting for some idiot to bring it all crashing down around you.

This makes me feel better about next season

Listening to Del Zotto speak so highly of Torts is refreshing. He really understands what the coach is like. I always knew he was misunderstood off the ice.

It is great to finally hear a mature player like MDZ talk about the entitlement mentality that is modern day hockey. I played my share of hockey and my 2 sons went thru the ranks in Minnesota. The cream used to rise to the top when it comes to talent. Now, the money rises to the top. With that comes a bunch of spoiled brats that make up the players of today. I've watched countless dad's spend obscene amounts of money to make sure that their kid was seen and the more talented kids of lower income squashed into obscurity. It used to be earned, now it's bought. Need more evidence? Take a good look at the modern day USHL. Money and politics will surely get you on a squad.

When Torts got to Tampa he ran training camp that was affectionately called Camp Torturella. More than one super star puked during Tort's skating drills. That preparation was one of the keys to the Bolts winning their first cup in 2004.

Im a Rangers fan, and i really enjoy the nasty Knuckles podcast

I like that.." Hecweres his Heart on his Sleeve & dont care if you make ultra millions or 50 bucks a game Torts is REAL COACH 👌🏽👍🏽👌🏽👍🏽🤟🏽😁💯%RESPECT From Me LL77 ❤️

Really good insight here

Torts is a mans coach. Not a childish coach. no sugar coating, straight to the point and accountability.

Great to see Riley Cote here! Loved him in the Orange and Black. Anybody know what he's doing now that he's not coaching in the American League? Podcasting? Looking to get back into coaching? He was a great lunchbox hockey player. Never saw him take a shift off.

Torts is a great coach it’s just the players that don’t like to work hard he holds them accountable which he should especially when your paid millions to play something you love try working at a gas station it sucks but go make a million playing a sport you should show up and give %110 if not get out that’s the torts way and I love it

Torts is great coach perfect to turn this team around I would say jvr, tk, sanhiem might be on their way out now

Great interview. I have a completely different opinion of Torts, now.

What Edmonton and Toronto need more than anything is a coach like Tortorella. We are lucky to have him in Philly.

Man as a Canuck fan we lost a great human when they fired him I loved playing for coaches like this.

The funny thing is Del Zotto's older generation would've call his generation soft lol Torts is realizing (as the research bares out) that there's more effective and productive ways to motivate players than was thought in the pass. We're seeing generational talents like McDavid and Matthews and even Torts admitted he burned a bridge with Brad Richards who ain't no young gun. It's adapt or die and Torts has chosen to adapt.

Torts is a good man

Though anything can happen, top conditioning also minimizes the risk of injury.

Since when is Del Zotto an all around defenseman?

always a Fan of MDZ always played a mans game .Gained respect for Totrz At Rangers 'Loved his time here in Columbus , was sorry to see him go . I have passion for the game as a fan i want my players and coaches to have passion . that's John . Its honesty is so refreshing . cant stand the petty and politically correct bull shit of Canadian media personnel constantly running him down .using him as a target . Thanks MDZ for your truth , sometimes pepole have to man up and say it is what it is . great points Entire Panel . Thank you

Remember when Torts had to physically sit Roy down after his meltdown lol Riley separated Roy’s soul from his body 🤣

If he paces himself lookout for the flyers in a year or 2.. he's so fiery that he burns bridges with lots of people.. hell of a coach though at getting the most out of mediocre/ good talent..

I wish the wings would take torts in as coach I think he would fit in great right now

Just like in real life, this younger generation isn't fond of rules, regulations, obligations, responsibilities....SO, a coach like Torts is a real punch in the chest to the younger players. But it's exactly what they need. Torts will have a vastly improved record with the Flyers because he runs a tight ship and if you don't give it 110% on every shift, you won't be playing for him!

I did like his style at first, it got old after awhile, he did lose the room

Del Zotto is a bum. I was so happy when the Rangers were done with him.

MDZ talking about entitlement is very, very ironic.

DZ is spot on about the new kids in the league. There’s no other way to describe them other than ‘soft’. The league is soft now too.

All you people who trash Torts are nuts. If you play hard and put your heart and soul into it, you'll be just fine. I remember Mike Keenan once benched Brian Leetch. $hit happens. You live and learn. 🤷

Doesn't matter who's the HC. They need star players. More European players also

Flyers will stink next year and the next and the next. Don't waste your time.

🏒 As a CBJ fan I miss Torts fire and Brimstone which they are Lacking now.🏒🤔🤫