Columbus Blue Jackets head coach John Tortorella had very harsh words for the Pittsburgh Penguins and Jack Johnson
The Columbus Blue Jackets and Pittsburgh Penguins really don’t like each other. Over the past two seasons, the two teams have had some brutal battles on and off the ice. The rivalry has officially undergone its boiling part. Pittsburgh signed defenseman Jack Johnson and tried to defend the signing. Blue Jackets head coach John Tortorella fired back.
Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford defended the five-year deal he gave to Johnson by saying he knows why he wasn’t playing at the end of the year and implied it had nothing to do with his performance on the ice. Johnson went on to say he wanted to play in a winning environment like Pittsburgh’s.
More from Puck Prose
- Detroit Red Wings 2023 Rookie Camp Has Plenty of Ups and Downs
- This Columbus Blue Jackets rookie doesn’t want to be forgotten
- 2 trades the Boston Bruins must make to secure the Stanley Cup
- 3 reasons the Avalanche won’t win the Stanley Cup in 2024
- This is a big year for Alex Turcotte and the Los Angeles Kings
Columbus general manager Jarmo Kekalainen wasn’t a fan of the comments. Tortorella, as expected, didn’t hold any words back when addressing the comments from Pittsburgh.
“But for to put it the way he put it today is ”, said the coach, via The Athletic. “And to have a general manager question our decision-making from three hours away, he must be a magician.”
While Tortorella probably didn’t have to use such colorful language, he is right here. He has every right to be angry at the Penguins. It’s understandable Rutherford wants to defend Johnson, who he just gave a five-year deal. But leave other teams out of it.
To be fair, Johnson later apologized for his comments, admitting he didn’t pick his words that wisely. Tortorella wears his heart on his sleeve and isn’t afraid to show his emotions. It would be understandable if he was hurt by Johnson’s comments, especially if he heard them out of context.
The Penguins and Blue Jackets play each other for the first time next season on November 24. It’s safe to say Tortorella has circled that date on his calendar.