“Some guys see the light at the end of the tunnel and say, ‘You know what? If we don’t get it in, I’m done. We’re done in a few weeks here, It happens with athletes that it’s been a long year and they just want to get away. They haven’t had a good year or there’s been some struggles ... and they just want it to end. That happens with athletes in all sports.”

“There are probably a few players that are saying, ‘Man, I’ve had a s--- year. (Tortorella) has been on me.’ It’s been hard. We’ve got to grind through this after being in last year with 11 games left. It’s hard for some people. To me, it’s giving in. But I think for most in that room, they want to accept this challenge.”

-John Tortorella, head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets after today's morning skate. Steve Gorten of the Columbus Dispatch has more.