Katie Strang, ESPN.com 11y

Tortorella defends relationship with Gaborik

The Rangers have yet to play their first game of the playoffs, but coach John Tortorella is already in peak postseason form.

Unprompted, Tortorella railed against the idea that he did not have a good relationship with former Ranger Marian Gaborik, who was traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets at the deadline on April 3.

"Don't give me any s--- about my relationship with Gabby, because it's wrong and unfair to both of us," Tortorella said, in response to a question about the trade deadline acquisitions and their acclimation to the team.

Tortorella, who kept his skates on and warned he wasn't going to stay long to answer questions, said he liked the chemistry those additions bring.

"I just thought it changed our team a little bit. I know you guys [the media] will turn it around and say that we didn't like Gabby and you guys talk about the relationship I had with him ... Gabby was a [heck] of a player. And we miss him in a lot of situations -- he almost helped the team get in. So, it isn't that way. We ended up getting three or four players that solidified our core."

In case you were wondering, Tortorella was not in the mood to give an update on injured defenseman Marc Staal. Ryane Clowe and Brian Boyle did not skate Tuesday; neither player is expected back soon.

^ Back to Top ^