Briere: Torts is Demanding but Fair With Players

Philadelphia Flyers general manager Daniel Briere talked about his relationship with exacting coach John Tortorella the other day.

“I always got along great with John from the time he was hired,” Briere said. “We see the game the same way.

“He might be tough with some of you guys [media] here and there, but he has been a blast to work with. I only have good things to say.”

Briere revealed what kind of relationship Tortorella has with his players. 

“Torts is a demanding coach, no doubt about it,” Briere said.

“He’s fair, he’s to the point. But he has a knack to let the players know that he cares about them. He has a knack because it’s genuine.

“He cares about his players … he doesn’t care what they think of him. He just wants to get the most out of them. Because he knows how far he can push them.

“And that’s the amazing part. The players when they get to spend time around him, they realize he truly cares about them. 

“He’s tough on them because he knows they have another gear or another place that he can take them to. That’s why he’s respected. That’s why I feel good about him in place as our head coach.”

After Tortorella’s legendary bag skate on the first day of camp, several players joked about the lung-burning, leg-draining experience. No one publicly complained. Coach and players seem to get each other.

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Coming at 10 a.m.: Travis Sanheim’s journey from trade target to possible leader of Flyers’ defense.

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