As new Philadelphia Flyers head coach John Tortorella struggles to clean up his locker room, veteran center Sean Couturier believes the changes the team made this offseason, including additions by Tony DeAngelo, Nicolas Deslauriers and Justin Braun, will help change the team’s mindset on the ice.
“I like the way our team is built,” Couturier told NBC Sports Philadelphia. “If you look at our division, it’s a pretty tough division. We added robustness. I don’t think there will be any other teams intimidating us like they have at times over the past couple of years.
“On paper we don’t look like we have a big superstar or big names, but I think as a team we can come together, do some damage and prove our critics wrong.”
The Flyers finished last season in the Metropolitan Division with a 25-46-11 record under Alain Vigneault and then Mike Yeo, while missing the playoffs for the third time in four years.
Forward Kevin Hayes never played under Tortorella, but after speaking to several of his former players he says he’s excited about the changes to come.
“He’s an amazing guy, he holds everyone accountable in a different way. That’s exciting. If you can’t stand being yelled at or pushed to a certain limit, if you don’t handle it the right way and you fade away, it’s going to be hard for you.”
“If we want to change the culture, I think Torts is the perfect person to do it. He’s a man who doesn’t talk bullshit and holds everyone accountable whether you’ve played 1000 games or you’re a rookie.
“I know the fan confidence in our team right now isn’t the highest. It’s easy to say, but it’s a new year, a new team. I think it’s already a good start with all the team members who arrived here quite early.”
Tortorella’s concerns
Tortorella has said multiple times, including at his first press conference, that he thinks the team’s problems go beyond on-ice play.
“I have big concerns about the locker room,” Tortorella repeated to SiriusXM NHL Network Radio last week. “I spent time in the office talking to players, staff, Chuck [Fletcher, le directeur général] and all staff. I am very worried about what is happening here.
“Even before we set foot on the ice, situations, standards and responsibility in the locker room are at the forefront. You can’t do anything on the ice until you get your locker room in order, and I think we have a bit of work to do there.”
Tortorella will be back behind the bench this season for the first time since leaving the Columbus Blue Jackets after the 2020-21 season. The 64-year-old, who won the Stanley Cup with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2004, is 673-541-37-132 in 20 years as an NHL head coach.
