Sean Avery praises Mike Babcock, criticizes John Tortorella

Though retired NHLer Sean Avery drew the ire of many throughout his 11-year playing career, no one seemed more bothered by his antics than his last NHL head coach, John Tortorella.

Avery criticized the current Columbus Blue Jackets bench boss in an interview with ESPN's Dan Marrazza after complimenting Mike Babcock, who coached him in the minors. Avery said Babcock has a "manipulative personality" that makes him effective at his job, then contrasted him with Tortorella.

"John Tortorella has no manipulation in him whatsoever," Avery said. "He only has one gear, and that's to scream at people and thinks that that's manipulation or motivation. But it's not. It doesn't work on rich players.

"They can say, 'F--- you. We're going somewhere else.' Or 'We'll get rid of you' - and we will."

Though Tortorella outlasted the forward on Broadway, Avery got the last laugh in 2013, telling the New York Post he "had a huge smile" on his face after learning the Rangers fired the coach after they bowed out in the second round of the playoffs.