Goal Line Report
Sending a Message to Del Zotto
by Patrick Hoffman on 12/26/10 at 10:00 PM ET
Comments (1)
While New York Rangers’ defenseman Michael Del Zotto has recovered from the flu, it appears that team head coach John Tortorella will scratch the defenseman for the team’s game tomorrow night against the New York Islanders.
Del Zotto has clearly struggled this season. He gives up the puck way too much, has not contributed as much offensively as he did last season and also does not seem as confident as he used to. Unfortunately, this has cost the Blueshirts in various games throughout the season.
As such, it is apparent that Tortorella is trying to send the youngster a message. Andrew Gross reported as much from the team head coach in his blog earlier today:
Tortorella said this shouldn’t be viewed as a negative thing regarding Del Zotto, noting he’s still a 20-year-old defensemen who needs to go through the “process” of learning how to be a rock-steady NHL defensemen. But Tortorella did admit that, last season, had the team been carrying seven defensemen instead of the bare-bones six, he likely would have scratched Del Zotto at times during the second half of the season.
“He should get a message just being out,” Tortorella said. “He’s healthy and this is a coach’s decision. He’s been inconsistent. Michael will have to wait his turn.”
This is not the first time Del Zotto has been scratched this season. It is a real telling sign that Tortorella is sitting him yet again.
Hopefully this time, Del Zotto will get the message loud and clear.
Filed in: | Goal Line Report | Permalink
Tags: john+tortorella,
michael+del+zotto,
new+york+islanders,
new+york+rangers
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Screaming at him when he makes mistakes is not teaching him anything. He as well as Gilroy should have been in Hartford the 1st half of last season to learn the defensive side of the game. Gilroy also is jumpy and unsure because of the Tortorella screaming treatment. I think Gaboric is in he doghouse now. As well as Avery. Discipline is one thing but I think too much histrionics is counter productive.
Posted by 13 user names on 12/26/10 at 11:55 PM ET