Tortorella Hits The Ground Running

This was originally posted late last night at You Gab Sports....

http://www.yougabsports.com/

John Tortorella started his new job tuesday...The now Head coach of the New York Rangers jumped right in to the fire...After a team meeting Tuesday morning they hit the ice...

There were several new drills at practice...Most of them emphasizing up-tempo skating and puckhandling...Both of these being staples of Tortorella's style of play....

Tortorella also made sure to chat with several players on the ice during the morning workout...He held conversations with team captain Chris Drury, alternate captain Scott Gomez, and defenseman Wade Redden...He should have just kicked Redden's weak a$$...Fucking over-priced pussy that he is...

Torts commented on his chats by saying..."Your best players need to be your decision-makers, and they're going to get every opportunity to win hockey games for us as long as they show me they are going to compete hard, because that is something they can control."

Tortorella also explained he will taking charge of the forwards, and the Power Play...Which has struggled all season....."I think it's important that the head coach has the power play, because you are dealing with a lot of your top people, and I think that a very important aspect of a head coach is how to get the most out of your top people." He continued by saying..."Obviously if we are going to win, the power play is going to have to produce better than it has been."

Torts plans on letting assistant coach Jim Schoenfeld handle the defense pairings and penalty-kill during games...

Other changes made by Tortorella were...The removal of statistics and standings that were posted on the wall near the workout room at the training center... "because this is a fresh start," stated the head coach....He also made it known that stepping on the big Rangers' logo located on the carpet in the dressing room is a big fucking no-no...

When asked about getting to know his new team on the fly, and having 3 games in the next 4 days....

"Losing knocks you down," explained Tortorella. "I am going to push them; but as a coach you also have to understand when you need to be with them. I think this is a time to try and get them feeling decent about themselves."

He also said the best cure for the Rangers right now is simple..."There would be nothing better than a win."

I liked Renney, but this team needed a change and a spark...Torts may be the right guy for the job...I really like his attitude and the style of play he brings...Let's hope he gets the Blue shirts on track....

Later The Beeze.