I'm not going to post pictures of the text convo because the messages are too long to send in one screenshot (edit: Meanwhile I wasted time typing it all out), but, this convo went down last night with my Hagg-loving, Ghost-waive-approving friend. Funny thing is, he has a Ghost jersey after his rookie year. If proof is demanded I will oblige. I am not fudging the text convo for the sake of internet points.
Right after Michkov set up TK
Me: Wow Michgod
Him: 1a in 5 games while not looking good even strength or defensively only 1 game he wasn't - or 0 all season leading up to scratches... 2g2a SO goal and on pace for 3 straight + games since. This kid is RUssian not a spoiled rich American or Canadian baby. he took it the right way [the scratches] and knows what tough coaching is, honestly probably doesn't know any other kind. Torts might be the nicest one he's had lol... While a ton of people may not agree with it. Visually and on paper it worked... if he would have went 10 games with 1 a the we can't develop, we are ruining him talk would have started. fans just need to bitch and moan. no matter what torts or Danny does people will find an issue. Even if you don't like it , you have to admit it was a good time for it if it was going to happen. saved him possibly entering an early big slump causing him to do even more dumb shit like players do then because they are mentally f***ed then. it got him back on track early for the rest of the season and he has played his best 3 games since... the entire team has responded to it honestly.
I didn't reply last night. This is just one example of what I deal with. He's more of a defender of Tortorella than anyone I have ever seen, he even rivals one head which is dead whom posts here. There has never been one criticism of Tortorella by him (or the poster here) and it makes me wonder how people can blindly obey, follow, and believe in one single person so faithfully. My buddy is not even religious! He's a real swell guy though and love him to pieces, but man, just say one thing about Tortorella you don't like. It will be okay. There is no gun to your head.