Photo Credit: Len Redkoles/NHLI via Getty Images
John Tortorella has done a solid job with this young Flyers team, considering the circumstances. They hustle and work on most nights, and typically they are fun to watch on a nightly basis. Not last night though, as the Flyers were blitzed by a lowly Montreal Canadiens (Habs) team 5-2, and I mean no disrespect towards the Habs.
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The Flyers were very sluggish, and it looked like their compete level was not 100%. There are no excuses for this, even without Travis Konecny the compete level should remain the same.
“There were some guys that competed hard. I’m not going to stand up here tonight and tell you that we got everything out of everybody. Most nights that hasn’t been a problem. Tonight wasn’t a full group effort, I’ll put it to you that way.” – John Tortorella
He then continued, “Yea it’s a concern of mine. It’s a concern of mine, and I’m not going to name names, I had a concern two months ago about some guys and how much I’ve played them through the first part of the year, and when they get caught up in that. There’s two or three guys that I have concerns about with that. Is that why? I don’t know. It’s so hard when your whole team looks sluggish to really pinpoint something. But to answer your question, is there concern? Absolutely.”
Photo Credit: Getty Images
This is a concern for everyone, as last night’s game was reminiscent of a game in the 2021-22 season. There are no excuses for bad compete level or a lack of effort. Losing is ok, no one really likes it unless you’re part of the tank for Bedard crowd, but not the way the orange and black lost. Again, I don’t mean to disrespect the Habs, but they are just not a good team.
With that being said, Tortorella was boisterous and adamant during his Pre-Game presser at the Flyers morning skate. A report surfaced the other day by Frank Seravalli that Joel Farabee”s Camp was displeased with how Tortorella has treated Farabee throughout the course of the season. I will not rehash the exact quote from Farabee’s Camp that Seravalli tweeted, but I do have to report on what Tortorella said before the game, as he should be able to give his case. Jordan Hall, a good writer for NBC sports asked Tortorella if he was made aware of that quote from Farabee’s Camp, “What, who? Agent? (Jordan Hall says yes agent). Agents should just stay out of the business,” Tortorella said.
“Is his agent popping off? (Reporter yes), Oh for God’s sakes, he should just shut up.” – John Tortorella said that morning skate when asked if he was made aware of the situation with Joel Farabee’s Camp, following a report from Frank Seravalli
He then continued on Farabee, “I think I’ve been fair, as far as the ice time Joel got. I cut his ice time in Calgary, then came right back with him in Edmonton. I think he’s really important here. I think he’s a really important guy.”
This young man in Farabee has owned his bad play, and what fans have to keep in mind is he did not have an offseason to properly train with building muscle and condition himself for the rigors of an 82 game season with offseason back/neck surgery, “I’m not the biggest guy out there. I didn’t want to miss any time. I wanted to get back as soon as possible. I felt I was conditioned, not building up full weight over a full offseason hasn’t helped. No excuse, my play I have to be better,” Farabee said following morning skate yesterday.
In reality, Tortorella on the surface has been more than understanding of his situation, as any other player would have been benched for their poor play, but Farabee technically has not been benched for an entire game. He only played 3:52 on Monday afternoon in Calgary, but he wasn’t benched for the entire game, “I give a lot of credit he’s played through it. He didn’t have an offseason. I know that’s hurt him this year. Have not given up on Joel Farabee,” Tortorella said.
On the surface this appears to be a misunderstanding, to which Joel will come back better than ever.
Extra Credit:
John Tortorella said there is no specific time frame for Tanner Laczynski to re-enter the lineup after practicing with the team yesterday. He has been out with a high ankle sprain, so look for him to re-enter the lineup shortly.
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