John Tortorella ejected 10 minutes into game, refused to leave (upd: fined $50k and suspended 2 games)

[Elysian]

What an embarrassing organization

That's a little harsh towards the NHL

 

[JianYang]

Hopefully none of them coach any sports, or have enough sense to recognize how embarrassing & toxic that behaviour is and won't look to emulate it

I'd be willing to bet that McCauley and torts would both handle that situation differently with the emotions cooled down.

I'm sure none of them were thinking in their heads that this is what they intended to do in pregame, but it happened. If we are human, then I think all of us can relate to these moments, and it doesn't have to be on the ice. We say or do things in the heat of a moment in life that we want to take back.

I think most rational people would realize that this isn't the way to act, and if someone uses this to feel inspired to act a certain way in life, then I'd argue the horse was already out of the barn for that individual, and there are far deeper problems for that individual to uncover.

 

[Lazlo Hollyfeld]

I guess it's entertaining but it's also embarrassing. He was never going to win that argument and just looked like a spoiled child refusing to leave. Not sure why acting like a baby is praiseworthy but whatever.

Exactly. I guess Torts is a big believer in "do as I say not as I do." Ultimately not that big of a deal but I suspect he's going to get a hefty fine for the simple reason is you have to have order. When a ref ejects someone, player or coach, they have to leave.

Then add to it Bettman's speech to all the coaches before the season "stop being so mean to our bad referees!"

 

[Miller Time]

I'd be willing to bet that McCauley and torts would both handle that situation differently with the emotions cooled down.

I'm sure none of them were thinking in their heads that this is what they intended to do in pregame, but it happened. If we are human, then I think all of us can relate to these moments, and it doesn't have to be on the ice.

Relating to the moment doesn't require praising it nor refraining from calling it out for what it was.

We say or do things in the heat of a moment in life that we want to take back.

Yes, but first we have to acknowledge that we've behaved poorly, no?

If you truly view it as just fun "entertainment", than why would you think he'd want to take it back?

I think most rational people would realize that this isn't the way to act, and if someone uses this to feel inspired to act a certain way in life, then I'd argue the horse was already out of the barn for that individual, and there are far deeper problems for that individual to uncover.

I think you overestimate rationality.

We are all affected by the behaviors around us, it's a false to suggest that only "lost causes" (or departed horses) behave poorly.

Influence is a real thing, hence the very notion of role models.

People in positions of high regard have a bigger opportunity (& I'd argue responsibility... No matter how much Charles Barkley disagrees) to influence our communities. Pathetic displays like Tort's last night have ripple effects. That neither removes individual responsibility nor directly causes any particular instance of similar bad behaviour... But it would be foolish to think it won't have an impact (& I'd argue from evidence, a negative one).

Bottom line... It was funny, and pathetic. Hopefully he publicly acknowledges the latter and takes responsibility to find ways to get that horse back in the barn.


A young athlete (of that entitled generation Torts likes to point fingers at), had a similar (though less vulgar) childish display of poor leadership & pathetic sportsmanship that went viral earlier this year (Mahomes on & off field outburst after the reg season bills game)...

After he cooled off & reflected, he wasted no time apologizing, owning his bad behavior and acknowledging his responsibility to be a better role model given his position... Torts could learn a thing or two from the kids these days

 

[Sol]

Refs deserve the worst. f*** them.

 

[CDJ]

Refs deserve the worst. f*** them.

Every time they take a puck or blow an edge I smile.


Good on Torts, what a king

 

[Mike Jones]

just funny because that's something torts would get on a player's ass about

People evolve. It's called growing up and even Torts has to go through it - even if it is kicking and screaming.

 

[Ted Hoffman]

I don't care if any goldfish in my backyard pond is more qualified to referee an NHL game than Wes McCauley, you cannot disrespect an official like that. If you're applauding it and encouraging it and hoping for more, you're exactly why we see coaches in youth sports do this stuff (or worse), parents in youth sports do this stuff (or worse) - and, when it happens, many of you will pretend to be appalled and outraged and demand something just short of public castrations for those coaches and parents who go way over the line. Spare me your faux outrage.

Torts is going to get fined. He's going to get bitch-slapped fined, and rightfully so. I won't be surprised if he's suspended more than 1 game for that. He should be. If you have a problem with a referee, you handle it behind closed doors. You have the organization go to other organizations and say "when we have a chance to remove officials every year, this guy has to be #1 on that list." You don't put on a public spectacle like happened last night.

 

[Oleksiak]

This needs to keep happening until the NHL starts holding the officials accountable. The lack of professionalism is a complete disgrace to the sport and I applaud Torts for bringing attention to the problem.

 

[JianYang]

Relating to the moment doesn't require praising it nor refraining from calling it out for what it was.


Yes, but first we have to acknowledge that we've behaved poorly, no?

If you truly view it as just fun "entertainment", than why would you think he'd want to take it back?


I think you overestimate rationality.

We are all affected by the behaviors around us, it's a false to suggest that only "lost causes" (or departed horses) behave poorly.

Influence is a real thing, hence the very notion of role models.

People in positions of high regard have a bigger opportunity (& I'd argue responsibility... No matter how much Charles Barkley disagrees) to influence our communities. Pathetic displays like Tort's last night have ripple effects. That neither removes individual responsibility nor directly causes any particular instance of similar bad behaviour... But it would be foolish to think it won't have an impact (& I'd argue from evidence, a negative one).

Bottom line... It was funny, and pathetic. Hopefully he publicly acknowledges the latter and takes responsibility to find ways to get that horse back in the barn.


A young athlete (of that entitled generation Torts likes to point fingers at), had a similar (though less vulgar) childish display of poor leadership & pathetic sportsmanship that went viral earlier this year (Mahomes on & off field outburst after the reg season bills game)...

After he cooled off & reflected, he wasted no time apologizing, owning his bad behavior and acknowledging his responsibility to be a better role model given his position... Torts could learn a thing or two from the kids these days

You're assuming he didn't acknowledge it or won't acknowledge it.

But its also a 2 way street. Kerry Fraser has admitted to calling the game at a personal level, and he apologized to the person involved. Just because we didn't hear about it at the time doesn't mean they didn't hash it out.

If you hear torts talk away from the rink, he's a thoughtful guy who gets embarrassed when he has to watch some of his own clips. I think he's well aware of how he could have handled it better, and I assume McCauley is aware of how he could managed the situation better too.

I also recall a story where Tim peel went to talk to foligno after a game where they hashed things out after an on ice altercation. Torts was there to witness it and it made him very happy that they were communicating. He said at the time that we need more of this open communication between officials and players.

Relating to the moment doesn't require praising it nor refraining from calling it out for what it was.


Yes, but first we have to acknowledge that we've behaved poorly, no?

If you truly view it as just fun "entertainment", than why would you think he'd want to take it back?


I think you overestimate rationality.

We are all affected by the behaviors around us, it's a false to suggest that only "lost causes" (or departed horses) behave poorly.

Influence is a real thing, hence the very notion of role models.

People in positions of high regard have a bigger opportunity (& I'd argue responsibility... No matter how much Charles Barkley disagrees) to influence our communities. Pathetic displays like Tort's last night have ripple effects. That neither removes individual responsibility nor directly causes any particular instance of similar bad behaviour... But it would be foolish to think it won't have an impact (& I'd argue from evidence, a negative one).

Bottom line... It was funny, and pathetic. Hopefully he publicly acknowledges the latter and takes responsibility to find ways to get that horse back in the barn.


A young athlete (of that entitled generation Torts likes to point fingers at), had a similar (though less vulgar) childish display of poor leadership & pathetic sportsmanship that went viral earlier this year (Mahomes on & off field outburst after the reg season bills game)...

After he cooled off & reflected, he wasted no time apologizing, owning his bad behavior and acknowledging his responsibility to be a better role model given his position... Torts could learn a thing or two from the kids these days

You're assuming he didn't acknowledge it or won't acknowledge it.

But its also a 2 way street. Kerry Fraser has admitted to calling the game at a personal level, and he apologized to the person involved. Just because we didn't hear about it at the time doesn't mean they didn't hash it out.

If you hear torts talk away from the rink, he's a thoughtful guy who gets embarrassed when he has to watch some of his own clips. I think he's well aware of how he could have handled it better, and I assume McCauley is aware too.

I also recall a story where Tim peel went to talk to foligno after a game where they hashed things out after an on ice altercation. Torts was there to witness it and it made him very happy that they were commjnicating. He said at the time that we need more of this open communication between officialsand players.

 

[Sinter Klaas]

I've seen a steady stream of coaches from my favorite team just show little to no reaction when being railroaded by the officials. I do realize there is no chance of a call being reversed and they do incur the wrath of the league with their shenanigans but I think that getting in an official's head every now and then is not a bad thing.

Back in 1997, Lance Roberts, a former ref had a target on the Sabres for many games. In a game vs. Phoenix he was doing his usual sending players to the box when you could have sworn that if anything, the Coyotes were going to get the extra penalty. This happened 2 or 3 times and Ted Nolan had enough. He disabled the locking mechanism on the Sabres bench and Roberts refused to investigate. Nolan kept attempting to shut the door but it wouldn't shut and play wouldn't resume until it did so. When Roberts finally went over to properly shut it, Nolan unleashed an expletive earful at him and lo and behold, from that point on the message was received. The game was called fairly and evenly from that point on. Lindy Ruff would do similar things, however a little more reserved.

As the years went on, and coaches changed, it seemed that the pendulum swung the other way to where there was no reaction at all given when the team was clearly being jobbed.

I joked recently that Phil Housley made Don Granato look like Malcolm X.

The great coaches, the Cassidys, the Montgomerys, the Laviolettes and the Brindamours jaw at the refs frequently, and only with a few exceptions, have I seen them face a consequence.

Yes there is a fine-line between jawing and losing your cool but I bet Wes McCauley, the next time he faces Tortorella, will at least think twice.

 

[ArGarBarGar]

Every time they take a puck or blow an edge I smile.


Good on Torts, what a king

It is funny how this kind of mentality is just normalized in sports.

Yeah I know, they deserve it or whatever.

 

[tsujimoto74]

The league is definitely better with Torts in it

 

[Miller Time]

You're assuming he didn't acknowledge it or won't acknowledge it.

I'm not assuming anything. I simply shared my opinion that it was a pathetic display regardless of how funny/amusing it was to see.

But its also a 2 way street. Kerry Fraser has admitted to calling the game at a personal level, and he apologized to the person involved. Just because we didn't hear about it at the time doesn't mean they didn't hash it out.

Irrelevant to the point that the behaviour was embarrassing.

If you hear torts talk away from the rink, he's a thoughtful guy who gets embarrassed when he has to watch some of his own clips. I think he's well aware of how he could have handled it better, and I assume McCauley is aware of how he could managed the situation better too.

Agreed. I hope he shows good character and owns it publicly.

I also recall a story where Tim peel went to talk to foligno after a game where they hashed things out after an on ice altercation. Torts was there to witness it and it made him very happy that they were communicating. He said at the time that we need more of this open communication between officials and players.

Not sure the relevance? Obviously there is a lot of interpersonal communication between individuals in the hockey world that isn't captured on camera.

This needs to keep happening until the NHL starts holding the officials accountable. The lack of professionalism is a complete disgrace to the sport and I applaud Torts for bringing attention to the problem.

Your solution to a "lack of professionalism" is to want more unprofessional behaviour

 

[winnipegger]

My respect for Torts is there no matter what happens simply because he saw through PLD's bullshit on day one. I believe the man is excellent at spotting bullshit which is why he has anger problems.

 

[Sniperberg]

Old man yelling at the officials when the team he coaches gets blown out 7-0 will never get old.

Watching Torts throw all his toys out of the pram like the toddler he is makes me all warm and fuzzy inside.

 

[Oleksiak]

I'm not assuming anything. I simply shared my opinion that it was a pathetic display regardless of how funny/amusing it was to see.


Irrelevant to the point that the behaviour was embarrassing.


Agreed. I hope he shows good character and owns it publicly.


Not sure the relevance? Obviously there is a lot of interpersonal communication between individuals in the hockey world that isn't captured on camera.


Your solution to a "lack of professionalism" is to want more unprofessional behaviour

The NHL isn't fixing the problem voluntarily. Do you think the conduct of the officials is currently acceptable?

 

[JianYang]

I'm not assuming anything. I simply shared my opinion that it was a pathetic display regardless of how funny/amusing it was to see.


Irrelevant to the point that the behaviour was embarrassing.


Agreed. I hope he shows good character and owns it publicly.


Not sure the relevance? Obviously there is a lot of interpersonal communication between individuals in the hockey world that isn't captured on camera.


Your solution to a "lack of professionalism" is to want more unprofessional behaviour

This is going in circles now but the relevance is in that you hope he acknowledges his behaviour. That's based off an assumption that he hasn't or won't.

the Fraser and peel examples were intended to show that sometimes there's more to the story than meets the eye and so far in your responses, you haven't considered that possibility and made it all about Tortorella.

 

[TampaBayLightning]

What should of happened was the next time they panned to the 2004 lightning alum box, Torts should have been in that box with a beer in his hand.

 

[Maple Leaf]

Flyers CEO says he'll cover any potential fine for Tortorella reluctantly leaving bench​

 

[Koivu11]

 

[Elysian]

Ridiculous

 

[red devil]

 

[bambamcam4ever]

Would the refs of had the power to call the game if he had refused?

Refs can do whatever they want. Fix games with no repercussions.

 

[Elysian]

Refs can do whatever they want. Fix games with no repercussions.

Tim Peel would like a word