Is Travis Konecny as good as Artemi Panarin?
We really don't know how old Gritty is.
Technically, the googly-eyed Philadelphia Flyers mascot was introduced on Sept. 24, 2018. But is that his actual birth date?
Either way, the seven-foot tall, orange-furred creature appears to be young enough where he should not be hearing any salty language. Which means, news conferences involving Flyers head coach John Tortorella are definitely off limits.
Alas, there appears to be a solution. And a creative one at that.
In a video released earlier this week, Gritty goes "Old School" by putting on earmuffs to shield his ears whenever Tortorella speaks at the post-game podium. It's all part of a Flyers promotional giveaway, with the team providing Gritty Earmuffs to the first 10,000 fans at their on Feb. 27 game against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Too bad for Gritty, because whether he is slamming a former player ("I don't know Cutter from a hole in the wall" ) or commenting on Morgan Rielly's attack on Ridley Greig ("It's a dumb league") Tortorella's news conferences have been must-watch all season.
On Thursday, Torts once again didn't disappoint.
This time, the Flyers coach praised team scoring leader Travis Konecny after a 3-1 win against the Columbus Blue Jackets, by comparing him to one of the top superstars of the league.
"I coached a guy in Columbus, (Artemi) Panarin," said Tortorella. "He is the best player I've seen play tired. It's something some people have. TK has a little bit of that in him. When he's tired, but he still sees an opening, he takes a chance. He finds a way. That's part of who he is, and I'm not going to take that away from him."
It's a lofty comparable. Panarin, who plays for the New York Rangers, is ranked fifth in NHL scoring with 78 points in 57 games. Konecny, meanwhile, has 54 points in 57 games.
Here is what else is trending this morning across The Hockey News' sites:
ATLANTIC DIVISION
Boston: Bruins fall 3-2 in overtime to Calgary Flames
Florida: Experts weigh in on Noah Hanifin to Panthers rumors
Toronto: Morgan Rielly's suspension a "real wake-up call to our team to get real serious about winning"
Tampa Bay: Two Capitals the Lightning should trade for
Detroit: "Kaner effect" on full display as Red Wings beat Avs in OT
Montreal: Canadiens offense frustrated by Jarry
Buffalo: Teams calling about Sabres star winger, insider says
Ottawa: Insider "wonders if Senators consider an Erik Karlsson reunion"
METROPOLITAN DIVISION
NY Rangers: The hyper-sensitive Kaapa Kakko question — misused or misguessed?
Carolina: "I can't tell you enough about how excited I am" — Andersen for the first time since diagnosis
Philadelphia: Buffalo Sabres eyeing feisty Flyers forward
Washington: Capitals share latest on Oshie injury — "I'll be back"
NY Islanders: One year later, Barzal talks about going from center to wing
Columbus: John Davidson addresses Trade Deadline in radio appearance
CENTRAL DIVISION
Colorado: "Just learning from them" — Vancouver's Rick Tocchett impressed with the Avalanche from the top-down
Winnipeg: From the Archives — When worlds collide
St. Louis: Bolduc makes NHL debut for Blues in 4-0 win
Nashville: Will Tommy Novak stay or go?
Minnesota: Kirill Kaprizov tied Zach Parise
Arizona: Mullett Arena getting mixed reviews among NHL players
Chicago: Toast the return of Chelios and Kane with blended 007-inspired drink
PACIFIC DIVISION
Vancouver: Canucks losing streak pushed to four games
Los Angeles: Arvidsson out week-to-week, per reports
Calgary: Could the Bruins be a trading partner for one of Calgary's D?