Evan’s NHL Daily: Another Torts Rant, Who Throws A Stick?

It was Monday, which meant it was time for another John Tortorella rant in the NHL. And he made sure to let his team have it after they struggled in a huge game against the New York Islanders.

Meanwhile, NHL Player Safety was at it again, but this time they weren’t reviewing a hit. They were reviewing Ryan Hartman chucking his stick on the ice after a loss. That act is worthy of a longer suspension than some hits to the head.

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

Colorado Hockey Now

If the Colorado Avalanche want to win the Central Division, they’re going to need a little help. With their loss to the Blue Jackets on Monday, they no longer control their own destiny and would need the Stars to slip up if they want to win the Central.

Another Tortorella Rant

I love a good John Tortorella rant, and after his team played poorly on Monday, he let them have it after the game.

John Tortorella came out swinging postgame:

"There are certain people that they don't have a clue how to play, or just don't have it in them to play in these type of situations."

"That was embarrassing in the 2nd period for the Philadelphia Flyer uniform the way we played."

On… pic.twitter.com/Bxz5J5gOaY

— Flyers Nation (@FlyersNation) April 2, 2024

The Flyers have crumbled in the second half, but they really did over-achieve in the first half. They really don’t have the talent to be a playoff team, but you could definitely argue Tortorella was doing a heck of a job coaching them. Everything seems to have fallen apart of late, but they’ve still got a chance at making the NHL playoffs, even if their chances of going far aren’t all that great.

Hartman Suspended

A nasty high-stick to the face will get you one game. A check to the head will get you two. Chucking your stick in the general direction of a ref? That’ll cost you a little bit more, according to the NHL Player Safety department.

Here is the video of #mnwild Ryan Hartman throwing his stick toward the officials on Saturday night, which earned him a three game suspension for unsportsmanlike conduct.@NHLPlayerSafety said Hartman was also inappropriately verbally berating officials. pic.twitter.com/YuumHrptJ5

— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) April 1, 2024

There’s probably a few things at play here. One, Hartman has a history, as he’s been suspended a few times in the last year. And two, as we all know, the NHL loves protecting their refs. I have no clue if Hartman is launching his stick at the refs, at Vegas, or to no one in particular, but he did it. Maybe he was suspended for just having a childish tantrum. Either way, the Avalanche won’t see him on Thursday night.

National Hockey Now

Until Monday, there’s only been one NHL player who has averaged a point-per-game for 19 seasons. Now, there’s two, and one of them is Sidney Crosby.

Vegas seems to have figured things out, and now it looks like they’ll be getting Tomas Hertl back soon.

In their loss, Ivan Fedotov made his NHL debut for the Flyers.

Things haven’t been going great for the Florida Panthers of late, and on Tuesday, they dropped their seventh of nine.