Coach John Tortorella rips into veteran Blue Jackets

John Tortorella took over as coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets during the 2015 NHL season, and so far he does not like what he sees. After the club’s third straight loss on Sunday, Tortorella ripped into his veterans for a perceived lack of leadership.

I’m not getting squat from the top players as far as that stuff. I see weakness. I think we’re weak mentally, and it’s not the kids. I worry about the kids getting into bad habits by watching other people.

In part, Tortorella is referring to the lack of discipline on his team from the veterans. Columbus now leads the NHL in minor penalties (157) and total penalty minutes (518). Scott Hartnell, one of the main veterans, has taken many undisciplined penalties. As a result, Tortorella healthy scratched Hartnell. Fedor Tyutin, Cam Atkinson and Dalton Prout have also been health scratched this season.

Tortorella finished his rant by saying Columbus is getting “nothing” in the leadership department. Do you think Tortorella is a good coach for the Columbus Blue Jackets?