It’s not easy to face the media and fans knowing full well that a person is not coming back to said team. This was the case today with James van Riemsdyk as he knows deep down he will be back with the club, “”I’m assuming they are going to get younger, and that’s the direction they will go (He assumes he won’t be back),” JvR said at exit interviews.
“The ultimate pro. He probably knows he’s not coming back. He still cares about the team and the young guys,” Scott Laughton said before departing for the offseason. JvR did say he was disappointed that he wasn’t traded to a Stanley Cup contender at the trade deadline. To be expected right?
What was not expected was a bitter Kevin Hayes, “It’s weird, you go from being a relied on player, to not being relied upon.” He further elaborated, “I was an All-star earlier in the year. The second half of the year I don’t think I was given the same opportunity, it is what it is.”
This is just a bad look from a player that was supposed to be a leader for the younger guys working their way up through the ranks. That’s why I personally respect JvR even more, he knows that writing is on the wall for a departure, but yet he goes out with class. Hayes on the other hand reminds me of someone being bitter, to the bitter end. In my opinion just hold yourself more accountable, or to a higher standard. Just do what the coach asks of you or is expected, regardless of you like it or not.
He believes he will find out his fate at the draft. Even with that, he said if his time in Philadelphia is done he will cherish Claude Giroux’s 1,000th game and playing with Keith Yandle. Hayes further states that he will always remember game 6 at the bubble when Oskar Lindblom return to the lineup for the first time since being diagnosed with cancer.
Onto good news for once, Sean Couturier says “I feel great, 100%.” He also states that he needs to skate more, while getting back into NHL shape.
Couturier plans to get back into shape this offseason, and also plans to come back strong next season, “I don’t think I’m going to save the organization…but things change quickly in this league.” He says the next step is to mold and grow a team. Couturier referenced the New York Rangers quick rebuild, but he is right with growing the right team, with the right pieces.
An emotional Cam Atkinson spoke at the podium when discussing his injury, “I was told at one point that if I didn’t take care of muscle atrophy in my left tricep, I may never play again. I had surgery three days later, and felt better.” Thankfully for Atkinson as he now can return to the game game loves. Atkinson was officially diagnosed with a herniated disc in his neck, so it makes sense he would feel this horrible pain in his arm or shoulder.
Atkinson explained that he went to Columbus for a specialist, and also saw a specialist at Boston College who worked on many professional athletes. In the end he’s now pain free, and is expected to be cleared for contact next week with the hopes of “Revving it up” shortly thereafter.
Fortunately, Atkinson is expected to be a fully healthy participant at Training camp in the Fall, and will resume playing hockey again. One has the feel horrible for him and his family for everything he had to endure this season, as he explained this was a very tough year for him.
Better days are ahead for this organization, and this is the first of many articles that will be written on exit interviews that will conclude today with the players. Danny Briere and John Tortorella will speak Monday at a time to be announced.
What a poorly written opinionated fluff piece..
It’s clear TK doesn’t like Torts.
How is what Hayes said being “bitter”??? I don’t the locker room sees it that way! Farabee the youngest and most accomplished young player with skills hyped Hayes up. Then you try to backdoor what he said on break-up day. He highlighted first and foremost, Oscar coming back and also scoring that winner.
Truly a lazy narrative you got going on there James. You ended up taking swipes at a ex cancer patient and a young player who will be here much longer than someone like Tort’s.. Just to take a swipe at Hayes.
Break-up day showed how much the locker room starting with TK are anti Tort’s.
TK, Farabee and Flyer’s locker room would disagree with your smear campaign of Kevin Hayes. Sounded like he was a great veteran for the young guy’s…
Flyer’s player’s must laugh at you
Anybody catch the exit interviews for Bob Clarke, Paul Holmgren, and Mr. Hockey himself, Billy Barber?
I thought these 3 would be at the top of the list.
Take note, Comcast, of how quickly that team on the other side of the Commonwealth took action to get their team back on the winning track.
They’ll go through a few ‘down years’, but they already have goals and plans in place to insure that this setback is the exception, not the ‘norm’, for years to come.
And with a fractured locker room, confusion on who is staying/going, and a coach who is the only Exec holding anyone accountable, we have a real fine mess.