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?
- ClaudeFather

I don't think they're playing a bit better than last year at all. Hart has just been playing at another level IMO If he had played a bit worse we could have lost every one of those. THe plan in our zone is collapse, block shots and pray. There's rarely any push back and we spend the whole game in our zone...

A lot of those saves were tougher than they looked.
- Tomahawk

He’s been phenomenal, but the quality chances this year are a lot different than the past couple.

I don't think they're playing a bit better than last year at all. Hart has just been playing at another level IMO If he had played a bit worse we could have lost every one of those. THe plan in our zone is collapse, block shots and pray. There's rarely any push back and we spend the whole game in our zone...
- Hextall271

That sure as hell is a better plan than the past two seasons. This roster is Atrocious, what do you want from them?

Some of us have known that chuckles sucks long before Torts came to town
- corduroy

Yeah this isn't some new revelation in any way.

I don't think they're playing a bit better than last year at all. Hart has just been playing at another level IMO If he had played a bit worse we could have lost every one of those. THe plan in our zone is collapse, block shots and pray. There's rarely any push back and we spend the whole game in our zone...
- Hextall271

I don't think it's really the way Torts wants them to play either... the players are just doing a poor facsimile of his system. It's probably all they're capable of atm. There are too many weak links.

Like Torts says, he needs some guys who can "stop the play" in the dzone, instead of letting it go on and on and on.

That sure as hell is a better plan than the past two seasons. This roster is Atrocious, what do you want from them?
- ClaudeFather

It's working right now, but I don't think it can realistically continue. Not saying they have better options, but I don't think they can keep up this pace.

I don't think it's really the way Torts wants them to play either... the players are just doing a poor facsimile of his system. It's probably all they're capable of atm. There are too many weak links.

Like Torts says, he needs some guys who can "stop the play" in the dzone, instead of letting it go on and on and on.
- Tomahawk

It's a good point from him. No one seems to be able to apply pressure so that they can get control of the puck and clear.. once the other team establishes possession in the zone it's back up to the house into the phalanx and pray that they somehow get possession and clear.

He’s been phenomenal, but the quality chances this year are a lot different than the past couple.
- ClaudeFather

The cross crease stuff isn't there anymore, since they have 5 guys collapsed low.

But they've become more susceptible to stuff coming out from behind the net, cross-ice one-timers and line rushes.

Different kind of A+ chances, but still A+ chances.

It's working right now, but I don't think it can realistically continue. Not saying they have better options, but I don't think they can keep up this pace.
- Hextall271

I think there are more losses to come and Harts play to dip slightly.

- Tomahawk

Lmao, that’s bad. I actually like the Jersey. 2022 Cooperalls ain’t it. Your boy Sanheim has not looked good

Consider this a warning. Don't change letters in curse words to circumvent the filters. It's definitely ban worthy and this is the one and only warning that will be given out.

I don't think it's really the way Torts wants them to play either... the players are just doing a poor facsimile of his system. It's probably all they're capable of atm. There are too many weak links.

Like Torts says, he needs some guys who can "stop the play" in the dzone, instead of letting it go on and on and on.
- Tomahawk

They don't really have a single line that can maintain pressure on the opposition and control the puck. It just shows even more how good players such as Voracek, Giroux and Couturier are and were here. They controlled the puck when on the ice. The Flyers are not a good neutral zone team. Nor do they defend the blueline well. Their entire strategy is collapse around the net and hope Hart makes saves. Then hope they score on the limited chances they get. The definition of what good defense is has changed. What the Flyers do, isn't it.

They don't really have a single line that can maintain pressure on the opposition and control the puck. It just shows even more how good players such as Voracek, Giroux and Couturier are and were here. They controlled the puck when on the ice. The Flyers are not a good neutral zone team. Nor do they defend the blueline well. Their entire strategy is collapse around the net and hope Hart makes saves. Then hope they score on the limited chances they get. The definition of what good defense is has changed. What the Flyers do, isn't it.
- MJL

Or does it more show how bad the current players are?

So if Torts doesn’t like Ristolainen and most of you as fans say you never liked Ristolainen, how is this a good thing? Because to me, this is telling about our GM.
- SuperSchennBros

Absolutely. But the relationship is typically “what GM says, goes”

If they actually embrace a synergy that’s one step in the right direction Vs coaches putting in players to save their job because it’ll make the GM look good/bad

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

100% this

Why would anyone not like Torts for saying all the things we have been screaming in this echo chamber. Let Torts run rampant at this point

I'll post this here too. I know it's a big day with the election but let's try to curve the political talk today. It's all been about hockey thus far so let's keep it that way!

All of the above is a problem. You’re telling me it takes a coach to come in here and tell a GM with the serves of scouts how to properly evaluate talent?

This is a good thing? I mean, we already have a development issue. Everything you just posted here makes me hang my head.
- SuperSchennBros

I think Chuck is willing to eat some humble pie if he trusts a guy to set this whole thing straight. If they both have leash then let them hash it out. Like I said, this whole year may as well be a tryout for who should play for Torts next year

100% this

Why would anyone not like Torts for saying all the things we have been screaming in this echo chamber. Let Torts run rampant at this point
- black_francis

If you listen to the clip it’s literally everything that was mentioned here

They don't really have a single line that can maintain pressure on the opposition and control the puck. It just shows even more how good players such as Voracek, Giroux and Couturier are and were here. They controlled the puck when on the ice. The Flyers are not a good neutral zone team. Nor do they defend the blueline well. Their entire strategy is collapse around the net and hope Hart makes saves. Then hope they score on the limited chances they get. The definition of what good defense is has changed. What the Flyers do, isn't it.
- MJL

They suck at everything, full stop.

Its no coincidence that they haven't been able to win w/o Hart in net.

I think Chuck is willing to eat some humble pie if he trusts a guy to set this whole thing straight. If they both have leash then let them hash it out. Like I said, this whole year may as well be a tryout for who should play for Torts next year
- black_francis

I think Chuck doesn’t have a choice if he wants to keep any credibility in the league.

Fletcher didn’t just become a moron. He’s been terrible for his entire career and no one has had the stones to tell him publicly when he’s wrong.

Torts is probably one of the few people in the hockey community who isn’t afraid to tell the truth to daddy Fletcher’s little boy.
- Shrike

I don’t think Torts is calling Chuck (his boss) a moron. I think he’s calling out the players, which dances around calling Chuck a moron.

They suck at everything, full stop.

Its no coincidence that they haven't been able to win w/o Hart in net.
- Tomahawk

No doubt. I don't get the idea that things are better or that Tortorella is doing a great job. The deck is stacked against him to start with, but he's made a lot of mistakes in my opinion. While self -admitting that my current bias is for developing for the future and not winning now.

Absolutely. But the relationship is typically “what GM says, goes”

If they actually embrace a synergy that’s one step in the right direction Vs coaches putting in players to save their job because it’ll make the GM look good/bad
- black_francis

Ok, this is what I’ve learned about Torts so far.

He’s willing to overplay MacEwen 15 minutes a night because he can fight and he works hard. So far it’s worked out for Mac but it doesn’t mean this is right for Mac. Torts is also willing to sit our best players through an entire third period in a close game to make a point. This is on the on the ice stuff you can agree or disagree with.

What I’ve also learned about Torts is, he didn’t know anything about our players coming in. He learned on the job during camp. Here is my point. Let’s say Fletcher brings in another player Fletcher sees as a new beautiful action figure straight from Toys “R” us that Torts knows nothing about and Torts doesn’t like this new shiny toy, what’s next? I’m sure they’ll consult on trades but this GM seems to like what he likes (Hayes/Ristolainen) and goes all in. That’s a bad thing.

I’d say I’m somewhere in the middle when it comes to John Tortorella.

They suck at everything, full stop.

Its no coincidence that they haven't been able to win w/o Hart in net.
- Tomahawk

To be fair to Sandstrom, he only plays the second half of back to backs.