Rangers coach: Thornton should ‘just shut up'

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NEW YORK -- Joe Thorntons verbal jab at the Rangers is making its way around the blogosphere today, and rightfully so. The term soft isnt one thats tossed around very often in hockey when describing an opponent, and thats what Thornton labeled the Rangers after the Sharks dropped a 5-2 decision on Monday night.

To be honest with you, they were probably the softest team we played against on this road trip. We should have had these two points, Thornton said.

Not surprisingly, neither Todd McLellan nor Rangers coach John Tortorella was eager to further the conversation after the game.

But Tortorella changed his mind on Tuesday morning, and did not mince his words.

"Yeah, it caught me off-guard when it was brought up after the game, Tortorella told the New York Daily News. It surprised me, and Ive never heard a player say that. Joes a heck of a player, but heres a player popping off about our team, and Joe hasnt won a g--damn thing in this league. He could go down as a player, being one of the better players in our league never to win anything. So what he should do is just shut up. It was uncalled for, it was classless, and Ive never had it happen like that before.

McLellan said of Thornton: Thats his opinion. Hes entitled to that.

The Rangers and Sharks do not meet again this season.

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