Oates: Hertl's goal disrespects game
San Jose Sharks rookie Tomas Hertl received plaudits for scoring a stunning goal Tuesday against the New York Rangers.
However, not everyone was a fan of the between-the-legs shot that capped Hertl's four-goal night.
Washington Capitals coach Adam Oates took a shot Hertl on Thursday, saying the 19-year-old's move was showboating that has no business in the NHL.
"Don't disrespect the league," Oates said, according to the Washington Post. "I'm sure it was a rookie mistake."
Oates added, "I'm upset. I was just talking to (Capitals general manager) George (McPhee) and he said all the kids do that nowadays, which I understand. But would he have done it on his first goal? He hasn't scored yet tonight and he gets a breakaway, is he going to do that on his breakaway? We'll see.
Hertl's dramatic goal gave the Sharks an 8-2 lead at 12:05 of the third period, and the rookie did not play in the remainder of San Jose's 9-2 win.
"I think it was a little bit of a mood thing, which I'm sure they talked about, because they didn't play him after that," Oates said. "I'm glad the coach did that because this league, it will bite you if you're not sharp."
Boston Bruins coach Claude Julien viewed Hertl's goal from the opposite perspective.
"It was a pretty nice goal," Julien said, according to CSNNE.com. "I was just saying this morning that it's pretty unfortunate when there's a good hit in hockey, there seems to be players wanting revenge for a nice, clean hit. When a player scores a nice, pretty goal, the first thing that comes out of people's mouth is, 'Was he hot-dogging it?'
"It was a nice goal that he scored, so let's accept it. ... Hey, if he scores, it's a goal for his team ... big deal. I don't think we should be mad about those kinds of things if they're allowed in our game."
