Frustrated by criticism over Flyers’ offseason, Tortorella defends GM Fletcher

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Philadelphia Flyers head coach John Tortorella has made his thoughts on the team’s offseason moves — and the accompanying public criticism — very clear.

As the Flyers’ new bench boss, hired on June 16, Tortorella is keen on working with his new group to improve upon their 61-point 2021-22 campaign. But, the question remains, does he have adequate player personnel to facilitate that growth?

Criticism has swirled around the Flyers’ off-season acquisitions, with most of such criticism directed at general manager Chuck Fletcher.

To start their retooling, Fletcher and the Flyers traded for Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Tony DeAngelo during Day 2 at the 2022 NHL Draft. They proceeded to re-sign blueliner Justin Braun and ink winger Nicolas Deslauriers on the first day of free agency. Following the initial rush of Day 1, Fletcher told media that, due to salary cap constraints, the team was not in a position to pursue premier free agent Johnny Gaudreau, who ended up signing a seven-year, $68.25-million deal with the Columbus Blue Jackets.

“I’ve got to see the players play. I know you’re talking about free agency, I know that Chuck has been criticized through the free agent time here,” Tortorella said in a phone interview Wednesday afternoon with NBC Sports Philadelphia. “I’m a little pissed off about some of the things said about a couple of the players and Tony DeAngelo, at least some of the things I’ve read. I haven’t read them all, I don’t spend my day trying to listen to everybody, what they’re talking about.”

In February 2021, Deangelo’s tenure with the New York Rangers came to an abrupt end after a number of on- and off-ice incidents, culminating in an altercation with then teammate and goaltender Alexandar Georgiev outside the locker room following a 5-4 overtime loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins. Deangelo was placed on waivers and suspended by the team. He was then bought out during the 2021 offseason.

In 2014, as a member of the Ontario Hockey League’s Sarnia Sting, Deangelo was twice suspended for violating the league’s harassment, abuse and diversity policy.

“The thing that bothers me and some of the things I’ve read is people are upset about Tony DeAngelo,” Tortorella said. “Tony DeAngelo’s a hell of a player, Tony DeAngelo has personality. Is he going to say and do some stupid stuff? You’re damn right he is. But I’d rather have a guy doing stupid stuff than having a choir boy here just going about your business. You don’t win that way, you don’t win championships, you don’t build a team without any personality. Tony’s going to bring that and, plus, he’s a hell of a player.”

The inaction on the Gaudreau front sparked additional criticism, especially considering the Salem, NJ, native made it clear that proximity to his family was a priority in his decision. This put the Flyers and New Jersey Devils in the spotlight and in a good position to sign the forward.

“Everybody’s upset about Johnny G, that Johnny G wasn’t signed. Any general manager would be interested in a guy like that and I’m sure Chuck was,” said Tortorella. “But there’s sometimes the lay of the land, where your contracts are at, where your cap’s at and where your team’s at, quite honestly. Is it time to sign a free agent like that?”

Gaudreau was the top of the top in the free agency class of 2022, but Tortorella believes that the Flyers will have other chances to bring in one of those premier players in the future, and suggests the team may need to build before landing that marquee acquisition .

“It pisses me off, some of the things that have been said about those guys because I think everybody wanted the big splash. Well, we have to wait our turn for that big splash,” said Tortorella. “We still have some things to do with our foundation of the team and maybe when our cap releases and contracts are moved or things are sorted out that way, maybe that’s when you look for that.”

Will the Flyers improve upon their 2021-22 campaign? That remains to be seen, but Tortorella’s confidence in the team and front office is clear.

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