Flyers HC John Tortorella Explains Why He Benched Joel Farabee

The Philadelphia Flyers are coached by John Tortorella which means there's bound to be some good quotes after the game and the coach's doghouse is always open for business.

After most of the start of the season was focused on Morgan Frost, Torts has turned his attention to Joel Farabee, who was the latest Flyer benched by the team's head coach. Turns out Torts was rather candid about it after the Flyers overtime loss to the New Jersey Devils:

Are you asking me why I sat Joel? Because he didn't listen

As simple as that. Tortorella insisted Farabee didn't listen regarding defensive assignments and he played just two shifts during the loss and didn't see the ice again after the 17-minute mark of the first period. 

Farabee is supposed to be one of the Flyers cornerstone core pieces but that's something Tortorella doesn't care about. He's just looking to win each hockey game and if any player isn't buying into his system, these are the types of things you see.

Farabee has been benched once before last season and so far in 2023-24, has recorded eight goals and 15 points in 23 games. He sits third on the team in scoring and is a big reason why the Flyers have surprised a few people to start this season.

Photo credit: Robert Edwards-USA TODAY Sports