Evan’s NHL Daily: Tortorella Goes Off, Avalanche Dominate Vegas

By now, everyone has heard the Cutter Gauthier story. Gauthier didn’t want to play in Philadelphia, and wanted to be moved to another NHL organization. Well, the reasons why never came out, and speculation began. One rumor that started was about how Kevin Hayes, a former Flyers forward, had talked to Gauthier and played a role in him not wanting to sign.

Well, it’s safe to say John Tortorella was not happy that rumor was started.

In Colorado, the Avalanche repeated a lot of what they did against the Bruins a few nights earlier, but this time, got the perfect goaltending performance to take down the Golden Knights.

All that and more in this Thursday edition of Evan’s Daily.

Colorado Hockey Now

The reason why Logan O’Connor has been the guy getting elevated this season? They know what they’re getting from him every night.

The Avalanche locked things down against the Golden Knights, and are hitting their stride. Look out, NHL.

Alexandar Georgiev had his second shutout of the season, but wanted to credit the defense in front of him.

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Tortorella Goes Off

Kevin Hayes has received death threats since a rumor was started that he played a role in Cutter Gauthier not wanting to sign in Philadelphia. Safe to say that word got back to John Tortorella, and he was furious.

“Is the guy here that caused Kevin Hayes a problem?”

Torts is the man. Just called out the reporter who made up the Kevin Hayes rumour the other night. pic.twitter.com/r1wX2fI5UP

— Spittin' Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) January 11, 2024

For the record, I like Tortorella. He obviously expects certain things from his players on the ice, but he will go to bat for them off the ice. You can tell he’s a good person. Sounds like he and Hayes didn’t see eye-to-eye about certain things, but that doesn’t interfere with what he thinks of him as a person. I say good for Torts. He’s unique and rare in the NHL, and that makes it a little more fun.

National Hockey Now

Remember Lars Eller? It didn’t work out with the Avalanche, but he seems to be doing fine in Pittsburgh.

Prior to Tortorella going off, they did win in overtime, and Jamie Drysdale picked up a point in his first game.

Connor Bedard is going to be out a while. Is the Calder race now wide open?