Flyers’ John Tortorella rips reporter who ’caused a problem’ for player after drama in blockbuster trade

Earlier this week, a stunning trade went down in the NHL that featured two first-round picks.

The Philadelphia Flyers sent top prospect Cutter Gauthier to the Anaheim Ducks for Jamie Drysdale and a future second-round pick – Gauthier was the fifth pick in 2022, while Drysdale was the sixth selection two years prior.

Gauthier has been open that he wanted out of Philly after seeing “multiple, re-occurring issues” since he was drafted, according to TSN. Flyers general manager Danny Briere even said Gauthier told the team he’d rather go back to Boston College to continue playing, rather than turn pro.

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Flyers head coach John Tortorella speaks during a press conference after his team defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets 5-2 at the Wells Fargo Center on Dec. 20, 2022, in Philadelphia. (Len Redkoles/NHLI via Getty Images)

But one report said former Flyers player Kevin Hayes had his “fingerprints all over this” and played a role in Gauthier wanting to leave Philly.

Hayes, now a member of the St. Louis Blues, says he’s received death threats since the “100% false” report and has been told by people on social media that they were glad his brother, former NHL-er Jimmy, had died.

Flyers head coach John Tortorella wanted the smoke in a news conference Wednesday night, searching for Anthony SanFilippo, who reported Hayes’ ties.

“Is the guy here that caused Kevin Hayes a problem?” Torts asked.

“Yes,” an unafraid and unapologetic SanFilippo replied.

John Tortorella, head coach of the Philadelphia Flyers, looks toward the action during the Kraken game at Climate Pledge Arena, marking his 1,500th NHL game, on Dec. 29, 2023, in Seattle. (Christopher Mast/NHLI via Getty Images)

“Are you kidding me? You think Kevin Hayes is going to do something like that? It’s bulls—,” Tortorella fired back. “It p—– me off that you guys throw that s— around, and it affects someone’s life. Kevin and I had a problem. We couldn’t come to an agreement on how to play. That’s a good man. That’s a good man, and what you said is going to stay with him. That’s what you guys don’t understand. And you’re going to sit there and say you have the right sources. I call bulls—.” 

Hayes called SanFilippo “a f—ing clown” who was “making s— up.”

Gauthier also said he’s been receiving death threats – but he, too, said the report is false.

“Kevin Hayes had nothing to do with the situation at hand,” Gauthier told the Ducks’ official podcast, Ducks Stream.

Flyers head coach John Tortorella against the Dallas Stars at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia on Nov. 13, 2022. (Eric Hartline-USA Today Sports)

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Gauthier is currently back playing for B.C. after being the captain of the Team USA, which won the gold medal at the World Juniors.

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