John Tortorella Berates Reporter Who Started Baseless Rumour
Published January 11, 2024 at 0:02
BY AARON
BY AARON
A Busy Week for the Philadelphia Flyers Involving Cutter Gauthier, Jamie Drysdale, John Tortorella, and Kevin Hayes
Many were shocked when 2022 fifth overall pick Cutter Gauthier was traded this week in exchange for sixth overall pick Jamie Drysdale and a second rounder. Gauthier, who told the Flyers he would never sign with them despite convincing them at the draft he was meant to play in Philadelphia, had shots fired at him by Tortorella earlier in the week, with Torts expressing that (he) wouldn't know [Cutter Gauthier] from a *****hole in the wall, and reassuring fans that they were better off with Drysdale.
As a consequence of the Gauthier trade, Anthony SanFilippo, a reporter that works with the Flyers, decided to throw former Flyer Kevin Hayes under the bus, trying to start a rumour that Hayes' input led to Gauthier refusing the come to Philadelphia.
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This rumour was completely and utterly false, and led to Hayes, now a member of the St. Louis Blues, to receive death threats against himself and his family. Hayes lost his brother Jimmy, who also played in the NHL, a few years ago, and there were Flyers fans messaging him expressing that they were happy his brother passed away.
Now, with San Filippo in attendance, Tortorella took the opportunity to berate him, and deservedly so:
Philaelphia Flyers Head Coach John Tortorella Defends Kevin Hayes and Takes Shots at Reporter Anthony SanFilippo
John Tortorella ripped into Anthony SanFilippo:
"Is the guy here that caused Kevin Hayes a problem?"
Yes.
"Are kidding me? Do you think Kevin Hayes is going to do something like that?
"It pisses me off that you guys throw that shit around and it affects someone's life. Kevin Hayes and I had a problem, we couldn't come to an agreement on how to play. That's a good man. That's a good man. And what you said is going to stay with him. That's what you guys don't understand. And you're going to sit there and say you have the right sources. I call bullshit."
SanFilippo took to Twitter expecting sympathy, which he unsurprisingly did not receive:
Well, Torts just lit me up in his press conference about Kevin Hayes. Completely unprompted. That ought to be a joy for everyone for the next couple days.
SanFilippo's credibility has certainly taken a hit after this disgusting rumour, and if anything, John Tortorella has gained some fans. Hopefully Cutter Gauthier has a blast in Anaheim, playing with some very talented guys. He'll have to hope they can protect him when he returns to Philadelphia.ADS RELATED ARTICLES
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"Is the guy here that caused Kevin Hayes a problem?"
Yes.
"Are kidding me? Do you think Kevin Hayes is going to do something like that?
"It pisses me off that you guys throw that shit around and it affects someone's life. Kevin Hayes and I had a problem, we couldn't come to an agreement on how to play. That's a good man. That's a good man. And what you said is going to stay with him. That's what you guys don't understand. And you're going to sit there and say you have the right sources. I call bullshit."
