The Daily: Watch Tortorella Unleash Epic Rant; Lyon vs. Oilers

Kevin Hayes and coach John Tortorella didn’t see eye-to-eye when Hayes played for the Philadelphia Flyers. But Tortorella unleashed some fury on a member of the media in defense of Hayes Wednesday night.

Hayes had been receiving death threats because a media member said on a podcast that he had influenced Cutter Gauthier to not want to play in Philadelphia. The Flyers had to trade Gauthier this week. (Hayes had said he didn’t have anything to do with Gauthier’s situation.).

In a post-game press conference, Tortorella unloaded:

“IS the guy here that caused Kevin Hayes a problem? You? Are you kidding me?” Tortorella starts. “You think Kevin Hayes is gonna do something like that? It’s bull—t. It pisses me off that you guys throw that s–t around and it affects someone’s life. Kevin Hayes had a problem – we couldn’t come to an agreement on how to play.”

“That’s a good man. That’s a good man. And what you said is gonna stay with him,” Tortorella continued. “That’s what you guys don’t understand, you say something – you’re gonna sit there and say you had the right sources. I call bull—t,” he finished.

Tortorella will stick up for his players. That’s why many players like to play for him.

The Tortorella rant can be seen in the link provided above

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

• The Edmonton Oilers will test Detroit Red Wings penalty killers who are on a 20-for-20 streak.
• Former Detroit player Gustav Lindstrom is now on his third NHL team. He was reunited with Pat Verbeek in Anaheim after the Ducks claimed him on waivers.
• Bob Duff offers an insightful look at what makes Michael Rasmussen valuable every night.
• Prize prospect Axel Sandin Pellikka is out for an extended period because of an upper body injury suffered at the WJC.

Red Wings Next Game

Goaltender Alex Lyon (2.51 goals-against average, .920 save percentage) will be making his sixth consecutive start tonight when the Red Wings host the Edmonton Oilers. Lyon is 8-4 on the season, and has won four of his last five starts. Jake Walman (illness) is a maybe. Klim Kostin should be back on the weekend.

With 3 wins in 3 games + a .921 sv%, Alex Lyon is our @xfinity Player of the Week!#NHLAllStarVote pic.twitter.com/WVY20QcVWT

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) January 9, 2024

Hockey Now Network

Boston: Could the Boston Bruins trade for a veteran goalie? Jimmy Murphy wonders if they might be in the market if the Linus Ullmark injury keeps him out of the lineup for an extended period.  They may simply put their faith in AHL goalie Brandon Bussi. But he is unproven and the Eastern Conference race

Buffalo: Jason Moser graded goalie Devon Levi an “F” and defenseman Owen Power a D- for their work in a loss to the Seattle Kraken. Casey Mittelstadt earned the only “A”. Buffalo Sabres.

Chicago: Connor Bedard will be sidelined 6-8 weeks after having surgery to repair his fractured jaw. The Chicago Blackhawks, overrun by injuries this season, face another major obstacle.

Montreal: Marc Dumont writes that goalie Cayden Primeau, son of former Red Wings player Keith Primeau, stole a point for the Montreal Canadiens.