You mean the current and past gm, correct? This current gm did not exactly take over a crackerjack stable of thoroughbreds.

Agree 100% Risto has been a failure, but we had 6 or 7 supposed stud young dmen and we are now feeling the impact of just how overrated that crew was.

However, for you to rip this gm for their 4, 5 and 6 dmen without pumping his tires on the TDA pickup is kinda disingenuous..
- Joe Nardone

The past GM had the team in a far better position for the future than the team is now. We should pump Fletcher's tires for trading away the exact same player and giving up draft picks to move that player and more draft picks to acquire a similar player? Hardly!

I will say one thing though: I am impressed by how quickly Torts has managed to mold the play of the team to his preference. For example, I keep seeing this very high blocked shot totals.

Is this what you believe? Looks to me Torts is the one running things. I don’t hate Risto. He’s here, I want him to improve but if it takes a coach to tell management that a player isn’t working, this probably means our GM is a moron. I mean you signed a player your new coach won’t play…
- SuperSchennBros

Even if this isn’t an ideal situation at least
someone is assessing the team accurately. I’ll take a silver lining.

Risto is in tonight

I will say one thing though: I am impressed by how quickly Torts has managed to mold the play of the team to his preference. For example, I keep seeing this very high blocked shot totals.
- PT21

You believe that Tortorella has a preference to be the worst possession, scoring chance suppression team in the league leading to the high blocked shot total?

You believe that Tortorella has a preference to be the worst possession, scoring chance suppression team in the league leading to the high blocked shot total?
- MJL

Not at all, but like I said right from game 1, I see a different team from the one that played last year. That difference doesn't mean it is perfect, far from it.

I am just impressed how quickly the change has come.

You know how I feel about the team doing better, so no point rehashing that.

Whatever it may be, you listen to Torts and he’s spot on evaluating most of these guys. His pre game on Risto is literally what everyone in here says about his game.

Not at all, but like I said right from game 1, I see a different team from the one that played last year. That difference doesn't mean it is perfect, far from it.

I am just impressed how quickly the change has come.

You know how I feel about the team doing better, so no point rehashing that.


- PT21

I don't see a different team. I see a team propped up by goaltending. Same as early in last season. If the goaltending falters. This team will go into the same tailspin that last year's team did. If Hart keeps this up, it will be one of the best goaltending seasons in Flyers history. How likely?

I will say one thing though: I am impressed by how quickly Torts has managed to mold the play of the team to his preference. For example, I keep seeing this very high blocked shot totals.
- PT21

Lets see if it leads to more injuries at some point.

Whatever it may be, you listen to Torts and he’s spot on evaluating most of these guys. His pre game on Risto is literally what everyone in here says about his game.
- ClaudeFather

Tortorella has a litany of cliched coach's responses to use from years of experience for when he spins the wheel of fortune to see which player he is going to single out.

I don't see a different team. I see a team propped up by goaltending. Same as early in last season. If the goaltending falters. This team will go into the same tailspin that last year's team did. If Hart keeps this up, it will be one of the best goaltending seasons in Flyers history. How likely?
- MJL

I am at a little disadvantage to argue this point, which I will be upfront about. I don't watch much of the games and only tune in now and then, and see the stats sheets etc.

But my suspicion is that Hart is not just aided by confidence. He is facing an easier quality of shot than last year.

I could be wrong though.

Where is Cam Atkinson?
- Feanor

Who?

Tortorella has a litany of cliched coach's responses to use from years of experience for when he spins the wheel of fortune to see which player he is going to single out.
- MJL

Talked about the unnecessary hits with Risto, him just being better all around, not expecting points but being better defensively. Obviously paraphrasing but it’s a good listen

All he has to do is punch somebody in the face and take a couple of pucks to the groin and Torts will have him eating Kevin Hayes' lunch.
- Tomahawk

Ahhhh.... so that's the secret sauce! Quick, someone get the message to Frosty.

I will say one thing though: I am impressed by how quickly Torts has managed to mold the play of the team to his preference. For example, I keep seeing this very high blocked shot totals.
- PT21

The likely long term impact of that over the course of the season is more injuries.

Any sense when York will be called up? What has to happen for this to come to fruition?
They are looking for him to dominate at the AHL level to train for being a team leader at the NHL level. What that means exactly, who knows.
It is widely known that it takes defensemen longer to develop. Personally I feel like he is ready, with the exception of how to play against bigger bodies effectively. And that is a huge caveat. Wish Kimmo Timmonen was here to show him how. Somebody needs to show him.

Is this what you believe? Looks to me Torts is the one running things. I don’t hate Risto. He’s here, I want him to improve but if it takes a coach to tell management that a player isn’t working, this probably means our GM is a moron. I mean you signed a player your new coach won’t play…
- SuperSchennBros

Torts has already fired shots at the organization regarding their views on specific players. First one was when they tried to saddle him with Hodgson...His comments were along the lines of "Everyone within the organization that's seen him (Chuck, Danny, Lappy etc) keep telling me he's such a good player, but I've yet to see it, but that's what they keep telling me..."

Fletcher then later states publicly "Hodgson had a real good camp, is a useful player etc.."

Torts publicly states " Listen, the kid was terrible/had a horrible camp" and Hodgson got sent back to Lappy....

Now it's on to Risto....None of this is a good look for those guys upstairs

Torts has already fired shots at the organization regarding their views on specific players. First one was when they tried to saddle him with Hodgson...His comments were along the lines of "Everyone within the organization that's seen him (Chuck, Danny, Lappy etc) keep telling me he's such a good player, but I've yet to see it, but that's what they keep telling me..."

Fletcher then later states publicly "Hodgson had a real good camp, is a useful player etc.."

Torts publicly states " Listen, the kid was terrible/had a horrible camp" and Hodgson got sent back to Lappy....

Now it's on to Risto....None of this is a good look for those guys upstairs
- Flyerfan2868

And that’s a good thing

I am at a little disadvantage to argue this point, which I will be upfront about. I don't watch much of the games and only tune in now and then, and see the stats sheets etc.

But my suspicion is that Hart is not just aided by confidence. He is facing an easier quality of shot than last year.

I could be wrong though.
- PT21

Hart has played just 8-games and has already saved 15.9 goals above expected.

He's facing a LOT of quality chances (even more than last season). Instead of AVs comedic over-pursuit they now just turtle and pray. Neither is conducive to really making life easier on Hart.

I don't see a different team. I see a team propped up by goaltending. Same as early in last season. If the goaltending falters. This team will go into the same tailspin that last year's team did. If Hart keeps this up, it will be one of the best goaltending seasons in Flyers history. How likely?
- MJL

With all due respect the point you are missing is Torts is establishing a structure to the team game which includes how they play defence as well. Carter Hart has been awesome but unlike last year he was hung out to dry for most games. Hang any goalie out to dry and they likely get burned. So imo if the team continues to play a Torts system Carter Hart will be fine. Scoring goals will be a season long struggle.

And that’s a good thing
- ClaudeFather

I love Torts. He has fire in the tank and generally makes the right decisions. He is an experienced coach now and has learned from previous mistakes but one thing for sure is if you don't give a hundred percent as a player your going to hear about it. The only time I can recall Torts making wrong decisons was his time in Vancouver. Can you imagine benching or demoting the Sedins who always showed up. Canuck fans are still baffled but other than that Torts is the most entertaining and to the point coach in the league.

With all due respect the point you are missing is Torts is establishing a structure to the team game which includes how they play defence as well. Carter Hart has been awesome but unlike last year he was hung out to dry for most games. Hang any goalie out to dry and they likely get burned. So imo if the team continues to play a Torts system Carter Hart will be fine. Scoring goals will be a season long struggle.
- joegreif17

Every team has a structure. How well they play it is the question. They don't play it well. Are you telling me that Hart is not being hung out to dry every game this season? They are literally the worst defensive team in the league by most metrics. Their team GAA is due entirely to Hart's high level of play that is going to be difficult to maintain.

Tortorella has a litany of cliched coach's responses to use from years of experience for when he spins the wheel of fortune to see which player he is going to single out.
- MJL

I agree that Torts always spins the wheel, lol. However usually it is a player that needs to be better. His style is to make the player or break the player. There will be no leisure club on his teams which is a good thing. Does he spin the wheel once a week or is it a monthly spin? HaHa

Every team has a structure. How well they play it is the question. They don't play it well. Are you telling me that Hart is not being hung out to dry every game this season? They are literally the worst defensive team in the league by most metrics. Their team GAA is due entirely to Hart's high level of play that is going to be difficult to maintain.
- MJL

If argue that Hart is seeing all of the shots tho, in the past two years the high danger chances were back door or cross ice lay ups. He’s at least able to square to the shooter this year. The game is in front of him. Is it just a coincidence that most goalies flourish under Torts?

With all due respect the point you are missing is Torts is establishing a structure to the team game which includes how they play defence as well. Carter Hart has been awesome but unlike last year he was hung out to dry for most games. Hang any goalie out to dry and they likely get burned. So imo if the team continues to play a Torts system Carter Hart will be fine. Scoring goals will be a season long struggle.
- joegreif17

Trying to block every shot isn't a structure to me. This is not a system conducive of winning. It is a horrible main defensive strategy.