Insisting that he didn't want to come off sounding bitter, Bertuzzi was brutally honest when discussing Crawford, who was fired after last season but has since landed as coach of the Los Angeles Kings.
The veteran left wing was irked by Crawford's handling of gritty winger Brad May, one of Bertuzzi's close friends.
"He never played him," he said. "He never gave him a chance to show what he could do. Here was a guy who was a 15-year war vet, a warrior, a guy who had fought every tough guy in the league, and yet he was never put out there in any kind of situation. And this was a guy who could handle all kinds of roles in the league. That really bothered me."
Bertuzzi was critical of Crawford's coaching style, which he claims changed down the stretch last season.
"Everyone knew what kind of team we had, and he was trying to get us to play like the Minnesota Wild," said Bertuzzi.
FOX Sports - NHL - NHL notes: Bertuzzi speaks his mind
09-14-2006, 12:18 AM
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