The John Tortorella Appreciation Thread

[stan the caddy]

While I have no doubt this is true... That doesn't make him receptive to being criticized by his own players.

Again, I'm just playing devil's advocate here... I don't know... you don't know... writer's don't even know.

Did Hank have lots of chats with him on how to bolster the offense? On how to play defense in their zone? Did Torts say "Thanks Hank... we'll work on it"?

I really, really, really hope Hank was not one of the guys that blamed Tortorella but it sounds like that might be the case. His stats have improved under Torts and it's a direct result of the "system" that everyone seems to hate right now. He got a Vezina out of it.

He better hope the Rangers don't bring in a guy that tries to play like the Tampa Bay Lightning because his stats will go down the ******* if that's the case.

 

[Bluenote13]

I really, really, really hope Hank was not one of the guys that blamed Tortorella but it sounds like that might be the case. His stats have improved under Torts and it's a direct result of the "system" that everyone seems to hate right now. He got a Vezina out of it.

He better hope the Rangers don't bring in a guy that tries to play like the Tampa Bay Lightning because his stats will go down the ******* if that's the case.

HL mantra: Cups not Vezinas.

Henrik bears the brunt of the teams ineptness. He has watched all 60 minutes of almost every game he's ever been in, I'm pretty sure I trust him to know what's going on infront of him. We're talking about someone who see's the game in a superior way. If he said something it was only cause he knew it was broken.

Like I said two months ago, I think Henke has been on this path since last offseason. He's got the most weight in the organization after Sather and if you didn't know it before you sure as hell know it now. This was no rush to judgment, I think it was very calculating and handle well, cause he could have really messed up and went to management/ownership midseason.

 

[JESSEWENEEDTOCOOK]

I really, really, really hope Hank was not one of the guys that blamed Tortorella but it sounds like that might be the case. His stats have improved under Torts and it's a direct result of the "system" that everyone seems to hate right now. He got a Vezina out of it.

Do you honestly think that Lundqvist cares about his stats? The guy wants to win, and if he doesn't think Tortorella can do that, well, I agree with him. He's probably frustrated at the lack of offense more than anything, and I suppose he believes that Tortorella is the reason for that.

For better or worse, it came down to Hank or Tortorella. You go with Hank, every time.

He better hope the Rangers don't bring in a guy that tries to play like the Tampa Bay Lightning because his stats will go down the ******* if that's the case.

Tampa has had a joke of a defense and a joke of a goaltending duo every year he was there but one — and in that season, Tampa Bay got to game 7 of Round 3.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

That 2011-12 team was my favorite to watch. What a great team and everything that happened last year. 24/7, Winter Classic, Richards in Phoenix .01, Richards/Staal Washington, Kreider emergence, Gaborik 41 goals, Hank Vezina.

Best season since 1994 in many ways. Great team, but this season we had to do it without Prust, Feds, Mitchell, Anisimov, Dubinsky, Gaborik (a healthy Gaborik), Richards (an in-form Richards) and it sucks we can never build a team to consistently play to win the division and have home-ice advantage in the play-offs. That's what bugs me

 

[Riverdale]

I really, really, really hope Hank was not one of the guys that blamed Tortorella but it sounds like that might be the case. His stats have improved under Torts and it's a direct result of the "system" that everyone seems to hate right now. He got a Vezina out of it.

He better hope the Rangers don't bring in a guy that tries to play like the Tampa Bay Lightning because his stats will go down the ******* if that's the case.

Vezina vs Cup...

If Hank feels that they can't win with Torts, and other players feel the same I am going to give them the benefit of the doubt. They've been with Torts for a handful of years. They know

 

[stan the caddy]

Do you honestly think that Lundqvist cares about his stats? The guy wants to win, and if he doesn't think Tortorella can do that, well, I agree with him. He's probably frustrated at the lack of offense more than anything, and I suppose he believes that Tortorella is the reason for that.

For better or worse, it came down to Hank or Tortorella. You go with Hank, every time.



Tampa has had a joke of a defense and a joke of a goaltending duo every year he was there but one — and in that season, Tampa Bay got to game 7 of Round 3.

Yes, he cares about his stats and his Vezina. That **** directly correlates to how much he gets paid, how well he's liked he is by the fanbase, and it determines his legacy. Those stats might just get him into the hall of fame one day.

It's not Torts fault that the team isn't loaded with offensive superstars. Derek Stepan isn't going to magically turn into Sidney Crosby now that Torts is gone.

 

[*Bob Richards*]

His work really did come to a head last season and I have nothing but appreciation for the man. Turned these kids into a bleed-for-you, hard checking, shot blocking brotherhood. I found it pretty damn admirable.

Hope he finds success wherever he goes.

 

[JESSEWENEEDTOCOOK]

Yes, he cares about his stats and his Vezina. That **** directly correlates to how much he gets paid, how well he's liked he is by the fanbase, and it determines his legacy. Those stats might just get him into the hall of fame one day.

It's not Torts fault that the team isn't loaded with offensive superstars. Derek Stepan isn't going to magically turn into Sidney Crosby now that Torts is gone.

I posted my reply in the other thread. THis is an appreciation thread, I don't want to **** on Torts in here.

 

[Green Blob*]

Thread WELL deserved.

He was the best coach we had in a long time, especially the useless guys in the 2000's.

Really hope we get someone who is as passionate about the game as him.

 

[Richter Scale]

Thanks for the seasons Torts. Don't agree with the decision to can you when he did, but its Sather; what can ya do?

Good luck with whatever you do next.

 

[JCrusher*]

Thanks for the seasons Torts. Don't agree with the decision to can you when he did, but its Sather; what can ya do?

Good luck with whatever you do next.

I think Torts is a good coach however i think this was the right move. In order to win a stanley cup you have to open up your offense a little bit and Torts is pretty stubborn when it comes to adjusting the system or allowing offensive players(gaborik kreider) do their thing. Like I said he is a good coach but i feel this is the best move going forward

 

[Richter Scale]

I think Torts is a good coach however i think this was the right move. In order to win a stanley cup you have to open up your offense a little bit and Torts is pretty stubborn when it comes to adjusting the system or allowing offensive players(gaborik kreider) do their thing. Like I said he is a good coach but i feel this is the best move going forward

The pervasive idea that Torts hinders players from putting up points or being creative offensively is a myth, plain and simple. But I'm not going to get into an argument here. If you actually want to debate this, quote me, and bring it to the sticky "coach search" thread. Don't want to clutter an appreciation thread.

 

[JCrusher*]

The pervasive idea that Torts hinders players from putting up points or being creative offensively is a myth, plain and simple. But I'm not going to get into an argument here. If you actually want to debate this, quote me, and bring it to the sticky "coach search" thread. Don't want to clutter an appreciation thread.

Thats fine im just happy the Rangers are moving forward

 

[Hunter Gathers]

Do you honestly think that Lundqvist cares about his stats? The guy wants to win

I honestly don't know if we can say that. If he still commands more than 8M now that Torts is fired, I think you may have to revise that belief.

 

[Tawnos]

Took us through the best season in my *adult* memory. Can definitely appreciate him for that.

 

[stan the caddy]

Good things that happened under Tortorella:

Lundqvist's stats improved significantly and he finally won a Vezina.
The Rangers made it to the ECF for the first time since 1997.
The Rangers won the Prince of Wales for the first time since 1994
The Rangers won the Atlantic division for the first time since 1994
Ryan Callahan's goal scoring jumped.
Del Zotto improved his defense significantly.
Shot blocking put Dan Girardi in the All-Star Game.
Marc Staal was also an All-Star
Marian Gaborik scored 40+ goals twice.
Derek Stepan developed into a solid two way center.

 

[Cake or Death]

Just a friendly reminder, but there's no need to hate on the guy in an appreciation thread. There are other places for that, if you're so inclined. While people may or may not agree with how the coaches handled things, I firmly do believe the coaches did care about the organization, worked very hard for it, and did what they did to the best of their abilities. I think we can all at least appreciate our former coach's effort, hard work, and commitment to the team, and keep it classy and on topic in here.

 

[The Gloaming]

I really, really, really hope Hank was not one of the guys that blamed Tortorella but it sounds like that might be the case. His stats have improved under Torts and it's a direct result of the "system" that everyone seems to hate right now. He got a Vezina out of it.

He better hope the Rangers don't bring in a guy that tries to play like the Tampa Bay Lightning because his stats will go down the ******* if that's the case.

I think Hank would gladly personally hand his Vezina to Fatso if he wins a Cup, which Tortorella's system wasn't going to do.

 

[The Gloaming]

Good things that happened under Tortorella:

Lundqvist's stats improved significantly and he finally won a Vezina.
The Rangers made it to the ECF for the first time since 1997.
The Rangers won the Prince of Wales for the first time since 1994
The Rangers won the Atlantic division for the first time since 1994
Ryan Callahan's goal scoring jumped.
Del Zotto improved his defense significantly.
Shot blocking put Dan Girardi in the All-Star Game.
Marc Staal was also an All-Star
Marian Gaborik scored 40+ goals twice.
Derek Stepan developed into a solid two way center.

The Devils won the Prince of Wales, you mean?

 

[Kris Chreider]

The Devils won the Prince of Wales, you mean?

lirl

But I think he means we won the EC regular season title.

 

[Nac Mac Feegle]

But when did he lose the locker room? They got off to a miserable start. Did he lose them during the lockout when he couldn't speak to his team or did he lose the room during the playoff run last year? This is ridiculous. If he had truly lost the team then they wouldn't have come back in the series against Washington.

If it's true that the players told Sather they couldn't play for him they're soft. They sound like the fans putting all the blame on one guy. Who the hell tunes out a coach that just brought you to a Conference Finals?

Mentally, I hope they don't turn into a team full of Ovechkins.

It's partially a problem with New York city as a whole. When a team gains success, and the ECF was a huge success for this organization, New York comes out in full force with the accolades.

Too many pats on the back of a bunch of blue collar players went to their heads a bit. You could see it this season where they weren't nearly as committed to the gritty areas of the ice; battling in the corners, blocking shots half-heartedly, not coming out early in games with any fire....guys got complacent.

If it's true the room turned on him, then it's going to be a few difficult seasons in New York. This team has talent, but most of it (the McDs, Girardis, Staals, etc) excel in the 100% effort blue collar mold. If they don't outwork and out grind their opponents, they simply won't win.



As for Torts specifically, he knew how to get the best out of all his players. He knew also how to protect his players. As much as I wanted to see Kreider play a full season, looking back at his play early on in the year you could see the kid was overwhelmed. Going back to the A - even though people screamed about it - helped the kid get back to form by the playoffs. If Kreider had stayed in NY all season, he'd likely be a shell right now with zero confidence.

He also knew enough to heavily insulate Lundqvist. I don't think Henrik understands it now, but he will next year when the quality of shots he faces increases dramatically.

Torts is like the stern parent most of us had as kids. He made guys do things the proper way and pushed player who would've been career AHLers into legitimate NHLers. Just like we as adults look back and appreciate why mom & dad made us do our homework and the success it led towards, the players will look back in a few years and realise just how much Torts helped to present them with careers in this league.

 

[Nac Mac Feegle]

Since we don't know... I have to ask...

What makes you think Torts would be approachable from Richards, Cally, Girardi or Hank? What makes you think those players would walk up to him (again, I'm playing Devil's advocate here) and bring up "concerns"?

What makes you think he'd be "receptive" to what they think or feel?

Think back to training camp.

Torts relied on his vets to tell him how the team was feeling, if they needed a day off the ice to rest, etc. It was mentioned over and over at the beginning of the season. He pretty much let the players dictate how difficult the shortened training camp was going to be, and made a point to squeeze in as many off days as possible during the shortened season. Even when the team was in a slump, he never revoked those days off.

I would count that as listening to his players and adjusting for them, big time.

 

[Machinehead]

FWIW, I would love to see Torts replace Keenan on MSG. I know that won't happen, but it'd be great.

Yeah being a hardass is great on TV. Being completely insane, not so much. There's a line between those two things. Torts tends to be on the good side of that line.

 

[Kris Chreider]

Torts was an NBC analyst between coaching gigs, no? Or was it TSN?

 

[darko]

torts was an nbc analyst between coaching gigs, no? Or was it tsn?

tsn.