Flyers head coach John Tortorella wasn't happy with reports that Kevin Hayes was involved in a rift between Cutter Gauthier and the team, and on Wednesday night he told media members involved in the allegations that I even called the team to let them know. Everything is “Bulls”.
Gauthier, the No. 5 overall pick in 2022, was traded to the Ducks earlier this week after the prospect informed the Flyers that he did not intend to sign with the team.
In an episode of the Flyers' podcast “Snow the Goalie,” Co-host Anthony Sanfilippo said: Officials within the Flyers organization have suggested that Kevin Hayes' fingerprints are all over this situation and that he is involved in the issues between Philadelphia and Gauthier.
He later wrote on his Crossing Broad blog that Hayes, who was traded to the Blues this summer after four seasons with the Flyers, was “hugely influential” on Gauthier.
Mr. Hayes denied the report, A reporter from The Athletic called it “100% false''which has caused problems involving the current Blues forward receive death threatsSo Tortorella called up Sanfilippo after the Flyers beat the Canadiens 3-2 on Wednesday.
“Is there a guy here who caused problems for Kevin Hayes?” Toots asked first.
When Sanfilippo admitted that he was indeed there, Tortorella left.
“Are you kidding me? Do you think Kevin Hayes would do something like that?” said Mr. Tortorella. “It's bullshit.” It pisses me off that you guys would spread that stuff around and let it affect someone's life. Kevin and I were having problems and couldn't come to an agreement on how to play. That's a nice person. He's a good person, and what you said will stay in his mind.
“That's what you guys don't understand and I'm going to sit there and say I have the right sources. I call the bull 't.'
Mr. Sanfilippo gives a speech The post-match press conference was tongue-lashing at X immediately after it happened.
“Well, Torts brightened me up at the press conference about Kevin Hayes, completely unprompted. That should be a joy for everyone over the next few days,” he wrote.
After the trade, Hayes I commented on Instagram Sanfilippo is “a clown and making things up,” he said.
In a subsequent interview, Hayes revealed that he had also received death threats from upset fans based on Sanfilippo's reporting.
“At first, it didn't seem like a big deal.” Hayes told The Athletic. “But just the aftermath of that. People making death threats, people wanting my family dead, people celebrating my brother's death, it's just crazy stuff coming out.”
Hayes' older brother Jimmy passed away in 2021 at the age of 31.
Angry fans also harassed Gauthier after the trade, sending him threatening messages on social media, he revealed on a conference call with reporters Wednesday.
“Just a 19-year-old boy getting death threats over and over again and thousands of people reaching out and saying horrible things that you wouldn't wish on your worst enemy. Obviously, it's quite a thing to watch. It's tough.'' According to The Athletic, Gauthier said:
Gauthier has been a standout for Boston College this season, scoring 23 points in 17 games as a sophomore.
He also led the United States to the gold medal at this year's IIHF World Junior Championship with two goals and 10 assists in seven games.
