New York media questions John Tortorella about his demeanor, distaste for press conferences - read the Rangers coach's reaction
BY PAT LEONARD
A few members of the New York media covering this top-seeded team in the Eastern Conference semis asked Rangers coach John Tortorella on Tuesday afternoon to explain why he refuses to engage and answer most questions during the playoffs.
Here is the transcript of an interesting, four-minute press conference from the Garden following an optional team skate and preceding a train ride south to Washington D.C. for Game 3 on Wednesday night:
JOHN TORTORELLA
On whether he was surprised by Alex Ovechkins lack of ice time: I dont worry or comment about the other team.
On whether he was happy with Rangers game other than a few mistakes: No, theres some things that we need to continue to work on.
On whether he has an update on Dubinskys health: Nope. Im not gonna give you updates on lineups or injuries, so lets just move right by that.
On whether Del Zotto is playing better: He played very well, defensively and offensively.
On whether Kreider-Gaborik switch was a matchup thing: No, no.
On whether he was looking for a different look: There was a number of different things I was trying to do.
On whether hell say what those things were: No.
Reporter: Are you this way with us just because you dont like dealing with us?
Tortorella: No.
Reporter: Or is there a strategy behind not
Tortorella: What are you being a wise ass?
Reporter: No, Im being sincere.
Tortorella: Im being sincere, too. Im not gonna give you much information. Some of you guys sit here and tell me Im curt or whatever. Im not gonna have a staring contest. If you dont ask me questions, Ill just leave. So thats the way it is. Im sorry Im not a guy that wants to converse about everything during the playoffs. Im not.
On whether Gaborik had one of his better games: He was OK.
On what younger players can take from first-round series experience: I dont think we need to look at that. I think we need to look at our next game. There were a number of things that I think we did really well and some things that we need to improve on. So its 1-1. Were going into Washington to try to win a game.
Reporter: Can you share
Tortorella: Probably not.
Reporter: Well, Im gonna ask you. Arte, why he didnt get on in the third. Was it just you wanted to roll with those three lines, or there were things you didnt like in the second.
Tortorella: No, Arte actually had a couple good shifts. There were some other things going on.
On whether Girardis diminished minutes was due to Ovechkin playing less: No, its just where the game was. When youre trailing, trying to get back into it offensively, you use other guys in certain situations.
Reporter: So if a guy plays well, you dont look to get him in or you just couldnt
Tortorella: Youre not gonna get the answer.
On Gaborik, whether hes OK with his play: Regarding Gabby? Uh, obviously we need him to score some goals here. Im not going to get into a long discussion here publicly. Its something that, again, to go off his question, that Id rather just keep in the room right now. But again, he played better last night.
Reporter: John, do you think your Jack Adams nomination is reflective of the
Tortorella: (interrupts)
Reporter:
is reflective of the organizations
Tortorella: You guys had a chance to ask me about that yesterday and you didnt. So, lets talk about the team.
