Location: Wondering when # became hashtag and not a number sign.
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Tortorella rips Jack Johnson/Jim Rutherford for presser comments
Quote:
Johnson, who signed a five-year, $16.25 million deal with the Penguins, said Sunday, "I've been looking to be in a winning culture."
Reached by The Athletic for reaction to Johnson's apparent slight, Tortorella said, "All I know is this organization, from the lawyers, the front office, J.D. [John Davidson], the managers, the coaches, players ... has done nothing but try to help Jack. And for him to backhand slap us like this is utter bulls---, and he should know better.
"No one wishes anything bad to happen to him and his family. We wish him the best. But for him to put it the way he put it today is bulls---. And to have a general manager question our decision-making from three hours away, he must be a f---ing magician."
Tortorella's latter comment referenced Penguins GM Jim Rutherford, who said of Johnson, "I don't think he had a bad year. He was a healthy scratch at the end of the season. I know the reason why. It wasn't because of how he was playing."
"The thing that pisses me off the most is a general manager in this league questioning and talking about our decision-making," Tortorella said.
"Jack and I had an open, honest conversation all through this. Jack and I have known one another forever, and I love the guy. There's no agenda here. You think that's an easy decision for me, after what Jack Johnson has been in this league and what he is?
"But that can't get in my way as far as making the right decisions for this hockey club, and that's all we do, so Rutherford should shut the f--- up."
Johnson said he misspoke at his news conference and he never meant to disparage the Blue Jackets' organization.
"I didn't mean it in any way, shape or form as a backhand towards Columbus," Johnson said. "Pittsburgh's won two [Stanley] Cups in the last three years, and there's a winning culture there. I didn't mean it in any way to insult the Blue Jackets at all."
Tortorella rips Jack Johnson/Jim Rutherford for presser comments
