Prospal Not Looking Forward to Tortorella Camp

In a recent candid interview with Steve Zipay, newly acquired forward Vinny Prospal expressed some of his feelings towards John Tortorella and the upcoming training camp. Before I analyze any of this, take a look at some of what Vinny had to say:

"...I don’t think he’s gonna change one bit. The first three days are the worst, it’s by far the worst training camp I’ve ever experienced. This is my 17th year overseas and I’ve never experienced anything like that..”

On Tortorella: “puts a lot of emphasis on conditioning; he thinks that’s what wins games later on in the year. That’s what he believes in. I just don’t look forward to these two weeks. Just the thought of doing it makes me worried.”

"I think he knows how to push the right buttons and I understand sometimes it doesn’t work for everyone, but it always worked for me, and I’m looking forward to it, even though there are times that I don’t like it. When you look back, I always played my best hockey under him.” (Click for full article)

Some very interesting statements from Prospal to say the least. First off, I respect Vinny's honesty, and the fact that there are no cop-out answers when he speaks with the media. Training camp aside, another great point made by the veteran winger is that he has always played his best hockey under coach Tortorella. He fully understands that Torts is going to ride him, because the best results come from Prospal when someone is on his back.

The ever so popular training camp will begin this Friday afternoon with a three mile run. From there on out, it is mostly on the ice, which means A LOT of skating. During the Prospect camp at the end of June and beginning of July, Tortorella had the players skate 45 laps around the rink, not once, but three times. Defenseman Mike Del Zotto made a comment afterwards saying that a majority of the players were winded at the conclusion of the skate. If Torts is willing to work eighteen and nineteen year olds that hard, you better believe that he is going to really give it to the training camp squad this weekend.

I, personally, am anxiously looking forward to this training camp, because it is exactly what is needed to kick some of the veterans on this Ranger team into gear. It will be very interesting to keep tabs on, and we will have all of the news from camp up on the site as soon as it comes in.

Also, be sure to check back later tonight, as I will have the results from the Blueshirts' placement game up in Traverse City...

(Image courtesy of AP Photo)