Sombastate
Registered User
Well, at least they knew to announce bad news on Friday. The only thing this front office has perfected.
Confirmed with Link: The new coach of the Philadelphia Flyers is John Tortorella
- Thread starter Don Nachbaur 26
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JABEE
Registered User
The goal of this offseason should be to get Hayes back to Boston.
What cap is he looking at?
Magua
Entirely Palatable Product
What happened to that wide coaching net that people were clapping their hands about? Such research! They managed to do all of 8 interviews? Trotz, Torts, Capuano, DeBoer, Mueller, Vellucci, Quinn, Blashill.....I believe that's the 8? Holy f***ing shit, Batman, that might be the worst list I've ever seen. 5/8 aren't even NHL caliber head coaches, and maybe the worst of them all was a finalist!
Ignoring the hirsute Authentics, I think to some degree we've been so subjugated by an inanimate pull string HockeyGuy™ toy in Hakstol, then the unbearable smugness and oiliness of French Alan, that a lack of bullshit is a change of pace. I guess. Whatever, it's window dressing. This decade has sucked balls and more balls await.
Ignoring the hirsute Authentics, I think to some degree we've been so subjugated by an inanimate pull string HockeyGuy™ toy in Hakstol, then the unbearable smugness and oiliness of French Alan, that a lack of bullshit is a change of pace. I guess. Whatever, it's window dressing. This decade has sucked balls and more balls await.
GKJ
Global Moderator
- Feb 27, 2002
- 193,440
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Risto doesn’t mail it in, he’s just awful
Larry44
#FlyersPerpetualMediocrity
- Mar 1, 2002
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ClusterChuck always looks like Chuckles the Sad Clown. Pale, pasty, sad. JFC he's got the best job in the world, he should stop looking like he's in Guantanemo Bay and enjoy himself a bit. Of course, to do that he'd have to make a good decision occasionally.
Flyers coaching selection process:
Bob Clarke to Scott and Fletcher: Hire Tortorella.
Dave Scott: I'll hire a recruitment agency to get background and schedule some interviews, including Torts.
Fletcher, Flahr and Briere: Interview 8 candidates (Torts and 7 stiffs with no hope to pad out the expensive consulting bill), Lombardi joins for the round of 3 second interviews (Torts, DeBoer, Capuano). Lombardi tells his co-interviewers: 'Clarkie said pick Torts.'
Fletcher: I have selected, and yes he was my first choice and it was my idea, honest, John Torturella, to be the next coach.
Fletcher [aside to Clarke]: Did I do good Mr. Clarke?
Clarke: We'll see, Chuck, if he bombs it's on your head.
macleish1974
Crash.....Heart of a Lion
The ultimate cap................................revolver........
Mattel had a seller's dream in the 1950s........Fanner 50 guns and Barbie dolls.
Mattel had a seller's dream in the 1950s........Fanner 50 guns and Barbie dolls.
Magua
Entirely Palatable Product
Tortorella hemmed and hawed and eventually blurted out he doesn't expect this to be a Stanley Cup contender right away (right away lol). I wonder how Dave Scott reacted behind the scenes. Because this team, on paper, is right up there with anyone.
Dumbest question award absolutely goes to Wayne Fish. "Does like Kevin Hayes and Cam Atkinson (me: who is from Connecticut!) speaking ya know Boston make it, uh, easier to speak to them?" Carchidi probably was kicking himself he didn't think of that one.
Dumbest question award absolutely goes to Wayne Fish. "Does like Kevin Hayes and Cam Atkinson (me: who is from Connecticut!) speaking ya know Boston make it, uh, easier to speak to them?" Carchidi probably was kicking himself he didn't think of that one.
bennysflyers16
Registered User
- Jan 26, 2004
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He actually went on for a minute about how big a piece Kevin Hayes is to this franchise (Chuck got aroused), how much more there is to him as a player, etc.
Fisto doesn't mail it in; he just has the hockey IQ of Mongo, so who knows. He'll block shots, probably get in good graces. Kevin Hayes? 100% a lazy player. Which is why my favorite line of the press conference was: "Can you imagine the impact on a locker room when they see Kevin Hayes block a shot with a minute left to win a game?"
I took all the Hayes talk as criticism, especially that line .
deadhead
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- Feb 26, 2014
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Dubois has also praised Torts, and said explicitly Torts was NOT the reason he asked to be traded.
I seriously doubt Torts had anything to do with acquiring Laine, he was known to be on the way out at that point.
Their GM may be worse than Fletcher.
Magua
Entirely Palatable Product
It was 100% not criticism, and his tone was almost gushing. He said he was "anxious" to work and talk with him. He said he didn't want to single out any players he was excited to work with, but then later said he lied and was elated to work with Kevin Hayes, that he's a "yuuuge piece to the puzzle." "If we can get him to that next level, what can he do for this Flyers organization down the middle?"
He's 30 years old! The only levels left are downward....
Beef Invictus
Revolutionary Positivity
Hayes should not be feeling warm and fuzzy for getting singled out already. Becoming a Special Tortorella Project won't be fun for him.
That may be true but their skating is well above average, and have you seen their passing (and structure is part of that)? Remember the Flyers can't do either of these.....
DancingPanther
Foundational Titan
- Jun 19, 2018
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Guys I think torts is going to love laughton cooter lindblom
Guys who I see sitting jvr Hayes
Guys who matter tippet frost farabee
Guys who I see sitting jvr Hayes
Guys who matter tippet frost farabee
bennysflyers16
Registered User
- Jan 26, 2004
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IF we can get him to the up his level that would be big?
IF that lazy clown blocks a shot to end a game, that's a message to rest of team ?
That's how I took it.
FLYguy3911
Sanheim Lover
- Oct 19, 2006
- 54,803
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What's more synonymous than Philly sports and overreacting to intro press conference - Pederson, Sirranni, AV, Torts...
GKJ
Global Moderator
- Feb 27, 2002
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Not so sure Lindblom is here next year
CanadianFlyer88
Knublin' PPs
I've avoided this coaching chatter and this coaching thread since the season ended because I didn't need to use my limited brain capacity to fret over who was eventually going to take over this tire fire.
I have now listened to the Torts introductory press conference, so I am finally ready to chime in.
Everything we have seen from the Fletcher regime indicated they were never going to think outside the box with this hire. Chuck proved that going over his checklist. Anyone who has only coached outside the NHL never had a chance at getting an interview.
With that premise, you start to wonder which re-tread would actually fit here, with today's roster and where the organization is going. I was surprised to see mention of DeBoer and Capuano (wat) as finalists, but Torts fits the exact profile of what I expected, especially after hearing Chuck's checklist.
I was pretty certain AV wasn't the right fit when he was hired, but I actually think Torts, accepting we were going to see a re-tread here, might be the right guy at the right time. The question really is, right time for what? This is a shitty hockey team with minimal options for significant improvement in the short term. So, how can Torts be the right guy here?
His answers today were refreshing. He said a lot of things I was hoping to hear but didn't expect. He's very self aware of what he failed at in the past. He specifically made mention of protecting Hart better (of all the failings of the team under AV, this was always my biggest annoyance). He spoke about getting in contact with all of the players away from the rink before training camp (AV, hello?). He mentioned getting an assistant coach who can run a successful powerplay, who potentially could speak to the skilled players about other puck possession attributes that Torts himself is not equipped to do. These are great things to hear, if he puts them into practice.
I also think having Atkinson on the roster already will help everyone else understand the Torts personality better at first, so Torts doesn't blitz through the room like a bull in a china shop.
But, again, why does any of this make Torts the right guy? What's the end goal for his tenure? Obviously he and management hope that within these four years, there's a parade down Broad Street with a giant silver mug. Even the most ardent supporter of the hiring has to know this is very unlikely.
I think what could make Torts the right guy for this team now relates to a couple of things he said and one thing he didn't.
1) He clearly understands the role of a coach, even if his previous methods haven't necessarily projected that to the general public. A coach's role is to get the most out of a player individually and out of the team collectively. He definitely has coached teams that have exceeded expectations. I honestly haven't looked close enough to judge his success with individual players.
2) One of the points he mentioned repeatedly was structure away from the puck. This team had been a train wreck for years away from the puck. If he can instill a competent defensive structure, he'll succeed in accomplishing something we haven't seen since Lavi.
3) He didn't once talk about coaching to play with the puck and that had me pause for a minute. This roster isn't talented, overall, but if Torts has learned from his mistakes and if he's genuine that he learned from being able to watch other teams' structures during his year off, then it is possible that he can apply this to be more hand's off with play moving forward. Where I am skeptical, is that it takes a fine balance for a coach to allow free play with the puck and not lose your shit when a turnover affects "play without the puck". Torts clearly is more interested in improving the play away from the puck, so any key to success is directly tied to how free he will allow the team to be with it.
I expect that the Flyers will struggle to make the playoffs unless a roster overhaul is done and/or the Flyers have a superstar emerge from the prospects out of nowhere. This team is unlikely to be exciting to watch and very well may be stuck in "just missed the playoffs" purgatory, but that might be why Torts is the right guy at this time. Comcast wants a team that is in touching distance of the playoffs and Torts can get them there.
By the way, who is Dan Gelston (spelling)? His question was so dumb I forgot his name. I recognized everyone else, I think.
I have now listened to the Torts introductory press conference, so I am finally ready to chime in.
Everything we have seen from the Fletcher regime indicated they were never going to think outside the box with this hire. Chuck proved that going over his checklist. Anyone who has only coached outside the NHL never had a chance at getting an interview.
With that premise, you start to wonder which re-tread would actually fit here, with today's roster and where the organization is going. I was surprised to see mention of DeBoer and Capuano (wat) as finalists, but Torts fits the exact profile of what I expected, especially after hearing Chuck's checklist.
I was pretty certain AV wasn't the right fit when he was hired, but I actually think Torts, accepting we were going to see a re-tread here, might be the right guy at the right time. The question really is, right time for what? This is a shitty hockey team with minimal options for significant improvement in the short term. So, how can Torts be the right guy here?
His answers today were refreshing. He said a lot of things I was hoping to hear but didn't expect. He's very self aware of what he failed at in the past. He specifically made mention of protecting Hart better (of all the failings of the team under AV, this was always my biggest annoyance). He spoke about getting in contact with all of the players away from the rink before training camp (AV, hello?). He mentioned getting an assistant coach who can run a successful powerplay, who potentially could speak to the skilled players about other puck possession attributes that Torts himself is not equipped to do. These are great things to hear, if he puts them into practice.
I also think having Atkinson on the roster already will help everyone else understand the Torts personality better at first, so Torts doesn't blitz through the room like a bull in a china shop.
But, again, why does any of this make Torts the right guy? What's the end goal for his tenure? Obviously he and management hope that within these four years, there's a parade down Broad Street with a giant silver mug. Even the most ardent supporter of the hiring has to know this is very unlikely.
I think what could make Torts the right guy for this team now relates to a couple of things he said and one thing he didn't.
1) He clearly understands the role of a coach, even if his previous methods haven't necessarily projected that to the general public. A coach's role is to get the most out of a player individually and out of the team collectively. He definitely has coached teams that have exceeded expectations. I honestly haven't looked close enough to judge his success with individual players.
2) One of the points he mentioned repeatedly was structure away from the puck. This team had been a train wreck for years away from the puck. If he can instill a competent defensive structure, he'll succeed in accomplishing something we haven't seen since Lavi.
3) He didn't once talk about coaching to play with the puck and that had me pause for a minute. This roster isn't talented, overall, but if Torts has learned from his mistakes and if he's genuine that he learned from being able to watch other teams' structures during his year off, then it is possible that he can apply this to be more hand's off with play moving forward. Where I am skeptical, is that it takes a fine balance for a coach to allow free play with the puck and not lose your shit when a turnover affects "play without the puck". Torts clearly is more interested in improving the play away from the puck, so any key to success is directly tied to how free he will allow the team to be with it.
I expect that the Flyers will struggle to make the playoffs unless a roster overhaul is done and/or the Flyers have a superstar emerge from the prospects out of nowhere. This team is unlikely to be exciting to watch and very well may be stuck in "just missed the playoffs" purgatory, but that might be why Torts is the right guy at this time. Comcast wants a team that is in touching distance of the playoffs and Torts can get them there.
By the way, who is Dan Gelston (spelling)? His question was so dumb I forgot his name. I recognized everyone else, I think.
Last edited:
Bedard szn
deadhead
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- Feb 26, 2014
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I think this team has more talented than people want to give them credit for, AV got a big jump, then sort of lost it in 2020-21 with COVID and the goalie meltdown - I think he realized that the magic was gone, he wasn't going to win the Cup with this team and didn't have the fortitude to stick it out for a few years and build up a team, so he mailed it in. And the team followed.
Torts is going to fix a lot of issues, get them to play with structure and discipline, make sure they're in top condition, and get rid of the whiners, low motors, low IQs, etc.
If he's serious about bringing in an offensive AC to run the PP and the offensive playbook, that would be a big boost.
But he's right, you can't worry about offense until you fix the defense and PK, because unless you have 3 or 4 high powered scorers, you're going to lose every game trying to skate with more talented teams without structure.
Torts will probably make Hayes his designated whipping boy (Hayes started with AV, so he can handle it
).
I don't see a lot of players Torts will take a dislike to, other than JVR. Rather, he'll take a bunch of kids who have been playing without structure and give them confidence and a sense of what they're doing out there.
Guys like Brown, Seeler are unlikely to make the team, Torts has never had much use for "veteran scrubs."
It's unlikely they resign MacEwen at this point.
Torts is going to fix a lot of issues, get them to play with structure and discipline, make sure they're in top condition, and get rid of the whiners, low motors, low IQs, etc.
If he's serious about bringing in an offensive AC to run the PP and the offensive playbook, that would be a big boost.
But he's right, you can't worry about offense until you fix the defense and PK, because unless you have 3 or 4 high powered scorers, you're going to lose every game trying to skate with more talented teams without structure.
Torts will probably make Hayes his designated whipping boy (Hayes started with AV, so he can handle it
).I don't see a lot of players Torts will take a dislike to, other than JVR. Rather, he'll take a bunch of kids who have been playing without structure and give them confidence and a sense of what they're doing out there.
Guys like Brown, Seeler are unlikely to make the team, Torts has never had much use for "veteran scrubs."
It's unlikely they resign MacEwen at this point.
Starat327
Top .01% OnlyHands
This coaching hire had really no effect on me, which means i'm precisely where I wanted to be in my apathy towards this franchise. Thank you to the Flyers for giving me a test I didnt even know i needed, but am glad i passed.
DancingPanther
Foundational Titan
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I won't allow myself to get excited
Embiid
Marcus Hayes "bitch" slapper
Redpath
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- Sep 30, 2011
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We did miss a legendary HFBoards moment where Fletcher hires Capuano from out of nowhere.
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