Tortorella: Anger Management or Strategic Coaching?

It's no question in anyone's mind, that John Tortorella's behavior in previous press conferences, the last of which lasted 12 seconds, has been anything but acceptable. A "yes", a "no" and an "I already answered that question" with a leave. Not to mention the bad rep that his actions give the league, but the hurt that puts on the Hockey writers who attend. (Who, by the way, are not young and cheap, thanks Colin Cowherd).

Good behavior is not in his contract, he's not a Supreme Court justice, but he's doing nothing to help the league, especially in a time that it needs American attention and money, most preferably in a positive light. And anyone who believes he's not a joke, look at how ESPN spent more time covering his press conference and replies than they did for New York and Jersey's game 2. If there is a definition of a joke, it's defiantly that.

However, as Jeff Marek and Greg Wyshynski discussed on the radio, there could be a strategy to Tortorella's rotten outlook on the media. (Luckily, Brooksie wasn't there to escalate things). Coaches are obviously world renowned for having a natural gift for strategy, and there could be one behind this. Notably, press conferences are very closely observed, and in discussing what the team did wrong, a coach could be inclined to discuss what they are going to change, and thus opening up a strategy to the opposing team.

Whatever the reason, however, in the world of hockey, especially the NHL playoffs, Tortorella's actions are unneeded and rather ignorant.

LA steps up from a 19 year playoff slump

As if the story wasn't a bludgeoned, rotting, horse, but this team is on fire, and it just needed that much more attention. After game 4, with the Canucks, there was a slight struggle, but they learned from that and came back even stronger. St. Louis was a little sad, but Quick is just, well, Captain America. Phoenix, however, should be a much more competitive team. They aren't there on the ice, their key players aren't producing and it seems that ridiculous penalties are just an attempt to come back. (Boarding of Shane Doan anyone?) Not to mention Dustin Brown, he scores goals, he plays defense, he hits like a horse, he's just as Dean said on Greg Wyshynski's podcast, a Rockstar. Maybe not the level that Wayne Gretzky was back in the 80s, but definitely a keystone in L.A.'s game plan.