I wish you would stop with "pigs" labeling. Someone making perceived poor decisions and what they think is best. No matter how flawed, does not make someone a "pig"
- MJL

Hard to have a lot of respect for men so willing to ruin my generations team - all to keep some antiquated bullpoop identity alive, and their friends employed.

Comcast needed to realize the actual issues here, and hold people accountable for once. Not hire Keith Jones, promote Danny, hold Tortorella in some kind of messiah status, and hire a few more former Flyers.

It’s incestous at this point.

What all the supporters ignore, is the same issue as always. Where will the talent come from? Cutter, Matvei, and a 11th OA pick this season? Excelling in trades, FA signings, and developing the youth? Only a fool would believe that with the hx we have.

Or will it be those mystical fantasies about everyone playing with Bobby Clarke levels of effort to bring this team to contender status.

No, it's either either deliberate pig-headedness or a severe lack of reading comprehension and understanding of nuance. And I have no time or patience to suffer fools. You are a fool.
- bmeltzer

Agree to disagree. When we start losing and the team quits on the coach I’ll eviscerate his methods with ya. But we are on a little heater right now, playing well. And yet again the topic of the day is “why aren’t my boys playing!?”

I can't find anything on Gendron and he is not listed on the Phantoms roster. Does anyone know what happened to him? I'm sure I missed it. I saw him play against WBS and thought he had decent speed and was around the puck. On the smallish side but I thought he had potential.

Bill thank you for all your time and effort with your blogs here. I rather enjoyed your detailed analysis of Torts.

I wish you would stop with "pigs" labeling. Someone making perceived poor decisions and what they think is best. No matter how flawed, does not make someone a "pig"
- MJL

Thank you!
We have to remain civil.

lol bill just called me “pig-headed”, so I guess you talk out of both sides of your mouth too
- black_francis

Paraphrasing your response to Bill
It comes across as whiny.

I wonder who is coming out of the lineup when Ristolanen is ready to play?
- MJL

I'll give ya a hint. His name rhymes with Shmegor Shmamula.

I think it's clear that Torts isn't here long term. He's got 2 years left on his 4 yr contract and I think he stated he plans to retire. My biggest worry is who will be here to take his place as we move in to (hopefully) regular playoffs then contention. It'll have to be a hire from outside the org IMO.
- Hextall271

I do not think that is clear at all. I can def see an ext.

Laughton 2nd line center, RP is the 3rd line center, Cates the 4th, wow, that is all.

I wish you would stop with "pigs" labeling. Someone making perceived poor decisions and what they think is best. No matter how flawed, does not make someone a "pig"
- MJL

I wish you would stop telling others what to do cliff.

All coaches talk out of both sides of their mouths sometimes, Tortorella more than most.

Example: I can't even tell you how many times Torts has said, "I'm a big believer that you play like you practice."

On Friday, we asked Torts about what Brink (about to be scratched for the third straight time) could do in practice to get himself back in the lineup. The very same coach responded with, "I don't evaluate anyone based on practice. I go by games. Everyone nowadays practices well."

Which is it? Is practice a vital part of determining who should play or sit because it predicts game performance? Or is it largely irrelevant? It can't be both. And if it's irrelevant, why are the scratches basically obligated to take daily extra skating before/after practice?

When asked what Frost can do to STAY in the lineup, Tortorella has repeatedly said, if he's going to play, it has to be in the top six and, to do that, we need offense from him (note: he's been barely getting much more than fourth line ice time even in Carolina, where he was playing well and had a nice touch-pass assist). Then, after having a single bad game and also not recording a point after four points in the previous three games, the same coach who said it wasn't fair to change the lineup while on a winning streak, does just that.

Last year, around this time -- while he was buying Frost on the fourth line for nearly a month, Tortorella was saying "He's not scoring. I don't want to hear about chances. He's not producing." (Funny, though, that he often mentions all of Foerster's scoring chances and cited scoring chances with Poeling on the ice in the LA game and ignored that the Flyers got doubled up on chances by LA over those same shifts).

Tortorella also said of Frost last year about this time -- contradicting something Rocky Thompson said in saying Frost was playing decent defense but needed to use his feet more offensively -- "If you're not scoring, give me something defensively. He's not do that, either."

Tortorella came around on Frost defensively by the end of last year although still questioning him offensively (even as he led the team in scoring over the final 2/3 of last year and then led the team in preseason scoring this year). I've said this before and will repeat it. Frost had a bad game overall against Vegas. BUT he did chip in four blocked shots -- something Torts gushes over endlessly for his golden boy players he'd sooner cut off his right hand over rather than scratch for any reason.

For Frost? No. After four points in three games and then four blocked shots in the next game, right back to the scratch list he goes. There is ZERO reason why Frost and Brink cannot both be in the lineup at the same time except that Torts has fallen in love with the idea that Ryan Poeling is a bonafide top nine player (relegating Noah Cates to the fourth line, while the coach utters words about trying to get him going again offensively -- with all due respect, that isn't going to happen with Deslauriers and Hathaway as his linemates).

I'm very happy the Flyers are winning -- it's fun to come to the rink when you're winning. There's not a forward that I individually dislike or would argue isn't a legitimate NHL player. i'll also give Tortorella credit for this: He seems to push the right buttons more often than the wrong ones in the context of a given night.

In the big picture, though, this is supposed to be year two of a rebuild. It's supposed to be a year where the rookies and under-25 player who took steps last year are put in position to take a bigger bite of the apple. Is that's what's happening with Frost scratched half the damn season, with Brink sitting for three, with Zamula still on the NHL roster mostly because he's waiver-eligible, with Cates related for five games now to the fourth line center spot because the coach won't consider even a temporary move back to a wing? With Foerster, a player with legit scoring upside, playing like a nice fourth-liner but also producing like one while on Line 1 and PP1, and the coach just fine and dandy with it?

Hell, Torts says over and over, "This is a young blueline." Is it? Because, when Ristolainen comes back within the next few days, Zamula likely sits again. That makes Cam York the ONLY D who could be classified as a young NHLer. The rest are either in their primes (mid-to-late 20s) or in their 30s (Seeler is 30, Staal is 36). It's actually a VETERAN blueline.

But, again, short-term picture of the 2023-24 season entering Nov. 22: there's plenty to be happy about. Playing from ahead. Playing faster. Forecheck looks improved. Transition game is better. No one in the locker room points fingers at others. Everyone is blocking shots, as asked. The goalie play has been great. The heavy emphasis on training camp conditioning skates has paid dividends so far. Those are positives.
- bmeltzer

do you mind if I cut and paste this and mail it to Torts? I hear, he reads all of his letters, I will CC Danny B.

Did torts ignore you at a presser or something? Are you really going to have a meltdown over this coach? Because they aren’t doing it the way you want?

“(frank)ing embarrassing” - that’s another quote
- black_francis

MJL is Bill right, now it makes sense, you are Torts

I can't find anything on Gendron and he is not listed on the Phantoms roster. Does anyone know what happened to him? I'm sure I missed it. I saw him play against WBS and thought he had decent speed and was around the puck. On the smallish side but I thought he had potential.
- cdearth23

He's on the Phantoms roster. Scored in first two games but has struggled considerably since then. Not really ready yet for the AHL physically (gets manhandled quite often) or defensively, but too advanced offensively in belong in the Q.

I can't find anything on Gendron and he is not listed on the Phantoms roster. Does anyone know what happened to him? I'm sure I missed it. I saw him play against WBS and thought he had decent speed and was around the puck. On the smallish side but I thought he had potential.
- cdearth23

he played last night

All coaches talk out of both sides of their mouths sometimes, Tortorella more than most.

Example: I can't even tell you how many times Torts has said, "I'm a big believer that you play like you practice."

On Friday, we asked Torts about what Brink (about to be scratched for the third straight time) could do in practice to get himself back in the lineup. The very same coach responded with, "I don't evaluate anyone based on practice. I go by games. Everyone nowadays practices well."

Which is it? Is practice a vital part of determining who should play or sit because it predicts game performance? Or is it largely irrelevant? It can't be both. And if it's irrelevant, why are the scratches basically obligated to take daily extra skating before/after practice?
- bmeltzer

I agree with you that all coaches often talk out of both sides of their mouths, however I don't agree with the example you provided here. What it means to "you play like you practice" is no athlete can simply flip a switch and play at an extremely high level against top competition if they practice at a lower level. Whether it be intensity, focus, competitiveness, athletes must practice as if they are playing the game. Jimmy Connors used to say, I only practiced for 1-1.5 hours per day while my colleagues often practiced 3-4 hours per day, but I practiced like it was the finals of Wimbledon. Roger Federer would often play 6 sets of tennis per day and know he was ready for a tournament when he was winning most or all of those sets. So Torts is just stating here that the modern athlete at this level practices with game day intensity and focus.

Now with this aside, Brink and Frost should be in the lineup every single game unless injured. I understand and agree with the balance between development and winning and I do believe learning how to win is vital to a players development, but right now it appears winning is more important to Torts.

No, it's either either deliberate pig-headedness or a severe lack of reading comprehension and understanding of nuance. And I have no time or patience to suffer fools. You are a fool.
- bmeltzer

I have no personal differences with Torts. It's strictly hockey. And it's far from a meltdown. It's constructive criticism, which also includes positive comments. While a team is winning is a good time for such critiques (coaches themselves often do so).

If you can't tell the difference, you are welcome to excuse yourself from the board.
- bmeltzer

I can see why Danny B does not step in, they are winning. They will hit a rough patch, curious what DB will do then.

If I was Frost I would give Torts what he asked for and tell him to GFHS

Hard to have a lot of respect for men so willing to ruin my generations team - all to keep some antiquated bullpoop identity alive, and their friends employed.

Comcast needed to realize the actual issues here, and hold people accountable for once. Not hire Keith Jones, promote Danny, hold Tortorella in some kind of messiah status, and hire a few more former Flyers.

It’s incestous at this point.

What all the supporters ignore, is the same issue as always. Where will the talent come from? Cutter, Matvei, and a 11th OA pick this season? Excelling in trades, FA signings, and developing the youth? Only a fool would believe that with the hx we have.

Or will it be those mystical fantasies about everyone playing with Bobby Clarke levels of effort to bring this team to contender status.
- flyer_nutter

I've very rarely agreed with you in the past but I do now. I just don't agree with labeling people who by all accounts are good people, pigs. No matter how wrong I think they are. Unfortunately, I've felt this way about the team since they abandoned the rebuild in 2018.

I agree with you that all coaches often talk out of both sides of their mouths, however I don't agree with the example you provided here. What it means to "you play like you practice" is no athlete can simply flip a switch and play at an extremely high level against top competition if they practice at a lower level. Whether it be intensity, focus, competitiveness, athletes must practice as if they are playing the game. Jimmy Connors used to say, I only practiced for 1-1.5 hours per day while my colleagues often practiced 3-4 hours per day, but I practiced like it was the finals of Wimbledon. Roger Federer would often play 6 sets of tennis per day and know he was ready for a tournament when he was winning most or all of those sets. So Torts is just stating here that the modern athlete at this level practices with game day intensity and focus.

Now with this aside, Brink and Frost should be in the lineup every single game unless injured. I understand and agree with the balance between development and winning and I do believe learning how to win is vital to a players development, but right now it appears winning is more important to Torts.
- jd250

How is it possible that you completely missed the complete point of what Bill posted. As if he needs it explained to him what "play like you practice" means? Could you possibly be more tone deaf?

Here is some more good reading on Tortorella from Bill in case you missed it.

"Has nothing to do with my "love" for any player. Has to do with what have been limitations he hasn't been able to overcome except for one magical season 19 years ago when Tampa was almost freakishly injury-free all season. When he's misjudged players, he's missed spectacularly (see Mats Zuccarello, who was about to go back to Europe before NY coaching changes to Vigneault turned his career, see William Karlsson, who was pegged as a 4th liner in Columbus and then scored 40 the next year in Vegas).

I never said he isn't a good coach. He is. But I wouldn't call him a great one or a HOF builder candidate. An innovator? No. A great teaching coach? Debatable. A great communicator?"


"Torts wields a LOT of power in the organization. He's not "just" the coach and absolutely not a "mouthpiece". More than Danny becoming GM, the scales-tipper in balance of power was with Jonesy becoming POHO because he and Torts are in lockstep about most (not all, but most) hockey ops matters. It is very much the "triumvirate" that was described in the summer."

I agree with you that all coaches often talk out of both sides of their mouths, however I don't agree with the example you provided here. What it means to "you play like you practice" is no athlete can simply flip a switch and play at an extremely high level against top competition if they practice at a lower level. Whether it be intensity, focus, competitiveness, athletes must practice as if they are playing the game. Jimmy Connors used to say, I only practiced for 1-1.5 hours per day while my colleagues often practiced 3-4 hours per day, but I practiced like it was the finals of Wimbledon. Roger Federer would often play 6 sets of tennis per day and know he was ready for a tournament when he was winning most or all of those sets. So Torts is just stating here that the modern athlete at this level practices with game day intensity and focus.

Now with this aside, Brink and Frost should be in the lineup every single game unless injured. I understand and agree with the balance between development and winning and I do believe learning how to win is vital to a players development, but right now it appears winning is more important to Torts.
- jd250

That is not true at all

Patrick Roy?
- TheFreak

Interesting but I can't ever see that happening for many reasons. I also think he wants to stay in Quebec.

I've very rarely agreed with you in the past but I do now. I just don't agree with labeling people who by all accounts are good people, pigs. No matter how wrong I think they are. Unfortunately, I've felt this way about the team since they abandoned the rebuild in 2018.
- MJL

there was never any rebuild in 2018 or prior Cliff. Though you deal in facts?

do you mind if I cut and paste this and mail it to Torts? I hear, he reads all of his letters, I will CC Danny B.
- wcorvette

You’re probably better off printing it up and actually mailing it to him. You can send it to his email address, [email][email protected][/email], but he seldom checks it.

Edit: This email address is just a joke. I made it up. Please don’t send emails to it

You’re probably better off printing it up and actually mailing it to him. You can send it to his email address,
- Dkos[email][email protected][/email], but he seldom checks it.

Tortorella wouldn't care and really what would be the point of it?

You’re probably better off printing it up and actually mailing it to him. You can send it to his email address,
- Dkos[email][email protected][/email], but he seldom checks it.

aol.com, funny... be fun, he says he answers all of them, not sure DB does.