Breakup Day (Updated Again)

Update, 4:06 p.m.:
Larry Brooks at the New York Post has this quote from Torts on why he chose Jokinen over Gaborik in the shootout against the Flyers on Sunday...

"Looking [at their career records], I chose the players who needed to take the shots," Tortorella said after conducting exit meetings with the players at the rink on breakup day. "I'm a big believer that your top guys should be involved in everything, and I would have loved to have been able to lead off with Gabby, but he's what, 2-for-18, so there's no way I would change that.

“If it were tomorrow I would go with the same three."

...while I still disagree with the decision (got to go with your best player no matter what the numbers with the season on the line), I appreciate Torts finally explaining himself. Would have liked to have seen him do it Sunday night.

Update, 4:03 p.m.:
Rick Carpiniello at the Rangers Report has a full transcript of Torts presser.

Update, 3:57 p.m.:
Andrew Gross at Ranger Rants sums up John Tortorella's media address...

"The main bullet points are that John Tortorella is disappointed with how his big players, Marian Gaborik by name, as well as Olli Jokinen, played in Sunday’s 2-1 shootout loss at Philadelphia. Said that’s what makes his stomach turn and called it “despicable” that the Rangers could play such a gutsy game in beating the Flyers, 4-3, on Friday, then come back with that kind of effort. He’s also worried about some of the character in the dressing room. He said it was a bad room at the start of the season but got better as the season went on, namely because of the acquisition of Jody Shelley and, to some extent, Brandon Prust. He says Chris Drury grew as a leader this season."

...it's hard for a team with as much turnover as the Rangers to have a good locker room. Too many new faces makes it impossible to generate any chemistry. Surprised that it took the acquisition of Shelley to turn it around. Would love to hear his thoughts on what the problem was.

...not sure I'm a fan of Torts calling out Gaborik who was the Rangers only consistent offensive presence in the line-up this season.

Update, 10:46 a.m.:
Instead of me just reposting all the tweets from the beat writers reporting from breakup day you can follow them at Andrew Gross, Steve Zipay and Newyorkrangers.

Original Post:
Ranger players will be available to the press between 10am -1pm, while John Tortorella will address the media at 1pm.

...i'll try to get it all to you guys as soon as it becomes available.