How is it relevant? Some like him, some don't. It may be to extremes with Tortorella but isn't that the case with every coach? What really matters?
- MJL

I just find it interesting that some folks on here basically look at Torts as the next coming of Satan and yet it seems the majority of the players that play for him have no problem with him. I'll side with the guys that actually deal with him on a daily basis on a personal level. I'd say that they know him a lot better than you do.

I just find it interesting that some folks on here basically look at Torts as the next coming of Satan and yet it seems the majority of the players that play for him have no problem with him. I'll side with the guys that actually deal with him on a daily basis on a personal level. I'd say that they know him a lot better than you do.
- Phillywhiteout

Guys that have actually played would disagree with a hell of a lot that is said on here…

I just find it interesting that some folks on here basically look at Torts as the next coming of Satan and yet it seems the majority of the players that play for him have no problem with him. I'll side with the guys that actually deal with him on a daily basis on a personal level. I'd say that they know him a lot better than you do.
- Phillywhiteout

Tortorella is a very polarizing coach. I don't think there is a majority on either side. You can choose to side with whomever you want. My opinion is not based on either players who like him nor the numerous who reportedly don't. You can choose to form your opinion on that if you'd like. My opinion is based on what level of coach I think he is, how he handles player development and player decisions. Whether I think he is the right coach for the future of this team. Not on some teeney bop popularity contest.

Guys that played for him would agree with a lot of the negativity towards Tortorella on here.

who is thriving under Torts?
- hello it's me 2050

Konency.
Sanheim.
Seeler.
Tippett.
York seems to have recovered well.
Walker.

Tortorella is a very polarizing coach. I don't think there is a majority on either side. You can choose to side with whomever you want. My opinion is not based on either players who like him nor the numerous who reportedly don't. You can choose to form your opinion on that if you'd like. My opinion is based on what level of coach I think he is, how he handles player development and player decisions. Whether I think he is the right coach for the future of this team. Not on some teeney bop popularity contest.

Guys that played for him would agree with a lot of the negativity towards Tortorella on here.
- MJL

I don't disagree that he might not be the right coach for this particular team, but I think he gets a bad rap by many on this site and the evidence shows that he isn't such a bad guy. His longevity would also suggest that. If he was truly a turd in the punch bowl he would have been out of the NHL a long time ago. Second in wins by U.S. coaches behind Lavy. Not a bad resume if you ask me.

Guys that have actually played would disagree with a hell of a lot that is said on here…
- landros 2

Guys that have played will probably never tell anyone publicly what they really feel (unless they join the media and need some clickbait).

There's not a coach in the league who isn't one of the great coaches according to their players and that the player just needs to work harder and take advantage of opportunities to get more ice time. When the whole Babcock/Bluejackets thing was blowing up, regardless of what the NFLPA said, the players were like "nothing to see here" publicly.

Hell it took 10 years for the wall of silence around the Blackhawks to come down. How many players do you think declined to share their honest feelings on that?

It's the product of the players being aware of the current media environment. They have been schooled for years not to say anything controversial that might reflect badly on their coach, team, and by extension their careers.

Just my 2 cents on how honest players are in public. Reminds me of a segment from Bull Durham.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KeVca9MwDX8

Konency.
Sanheim.
Seeler.
Tippett.
York seems to have recovered well.
Walker.
- roenick97

Ill add Hart to this list.

Ill add Hart to this list.
- MBFlyerfan

Ristolainen seems to be more tamed and doing less running around. Based on Torts’ comments yesterday, he’s about to get power play time.

I don't disagree that he might not be the right coach for this particular team, but I think he gets a bad rap by many on this site and the evidence shows that he isn't such a bad guy. His longevity would also suggest that. If he was truly a turd in the punch bowl he would have been out of the NHL a long time ago. Second in wins by U.S. coaches behind Lavy. Not a bad resume if you ask me.
- Phillywhiteout

NHL history is rife with coaches who were very successful that were disliked by players. Mike Keenan, Ken Hitchcock, Mike Babcock, and yes, Tortorella.

There are plenty of players with a documented history of not liking Tortorella. Have you ever heard what Matthew Barnaby or Brandon Dubinsky have to say about playing for Tortorella. So who do you want to believe, those guys or Del Zotto? I'm saying it doesn't matter.

I'm interested in what kind of coach I think he is now and what he can do for the team in the future. What is also on his resume is not taking a single team past the 2nd round of the playoffs in his last 16 seasons as an NHL head coach.


For your reading pleasure

https://www.cbssports.com...s-firing-john-tortorella/

Ristolainen seems to be more tamed and doing less running around. Based on Torts’ comments yesterday, he’s about to get power play time.
- roenick97

He definitely is not taking himself out of plays to make “that” hit as much. I still would like to see him jump up into the play more but he is just getting back from injury. Risto has had a fare amount of success early on in his career on the PP. Considering how poorly it’s has looked…why not give it a look?

Konency.
Sanheim.
Seeler.
Tippett.
York seems to have recovered well.
Walker.
- roenick97

disagree on most. Seeler I won't argue.

Guess your definition of thrive and mine differ.

Tortorella is a very polarizing coach. I don't think there is a majority on either side. You can choose to side with whomever you want. My opinion is not based on either players who like him nor the numerous who reportedly don't. You can choose to form your opinion on that if you'd like. My opinion is based on what level of coach I think he is, how he handles player development and player decisions. Whether I think he is the right coach for the future of this team. Not on some teeney bop popularity contest.

Guys that played for him would agree with a lot of the negativity towards Tortorella on here.
- MJL

where you play your youth hockey at cliff?

Ill add Hart to this list.
- MBFlyerfan

how has Torts had a hand on Harts play?

I don't disagree that he might not be the right coach for this particular team, but I think he gets a bad rap by many on this site and the evidence shows that he isn't such a bad guy. His longevity would also suggest that. If he was truly a turd in the punch bowl he would have been out of the NHL a long time ago. Second in wins by U.S. coaches behind Lavy. Not a bad resume if you ask me.
- Phillywhiteout

Some don’t appreciate what his tactics are or what he brings to the table. He is a very good coach. Like any coach he’s going to have his detractors and others that love the guy. I guess if your a former player it depends on your own personal experience. But a 2x Jack Adams winner and the wins you mention is a pretty solid resume for any coach. I think he is the right guy for now and as long as I see progression from the younger guys I will be on board…that can change though, his job really is to change the “culture” (yes it’s actually a thing) and bring the younger guys into an environment that can lead to success in the future.

how has Torts had a hand on Harts play?
- hello it's me 2050

I think this year he’s had a hand in tightening up the defensive side of the game…so that Hart isn’t being overwhelmed by shots and chances…that’s all a head coach can really ever do for a goalie.

disagree on most. Seeler I won't argue.

Guess your definition of thrive and mine differ.
- hello it's me 2050

Thrive might be a little strong….but progression might be closer to the truth.

Thrive might be a little strong….but progression might be closer to the truth.
- landros 2

Not saying torts hasnt had any effect, as you said thriving is too strong a word.

I think this year he’s had a hand in tightening up the defensive side of the game…so that Hart isn’t being overwhelmed by shots and chances…that’s all a head coach can really ever do for a goalie.
- landros 2

yeah though I am talking about his play. Head coach has next to nothing to do with how the goalie plays or his development really.

Is Sullivan fired yet? Just a few tweaks to the coaching staff and easily adding a young bottom six forward and top 4 dman with low cap hit without giving up draft capital away and the Pens are legit contenders again.

how has Torts had a hand on Harts play?
- hello it's me 2050

I was just pointing out who I thought was thriving.

Okay, are we still in camp? His ice time while defending a lead says different. I believe you pointed this out yourself….
- roenick97

It's similar to Hartnell where Torts doesn't trust him defensively even though Frost's defensive results are better than average.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qiTC_o9yM9A&t=210s

In fact, Frost has the lowest ES GA/60 of any Flyer forward this season. Atkinson has the highest, but he's a golden boy vet so he gets a pass from Torts.

https://www.naturalstattr...ines=single&draftteam=ALL

Frost - 1.63
Foerster - 2.02
Deslauriers - 2.15
Brink - 2.38
Farabee - 2.58
Poehling - 2.69
Konecny - 2.75
Cates - 2.84
Laughton - 3.08
Hathaway - 3.15
Couturier - 3.34
Tippett - 3.36
Atkinson - 3.98

I just find it interesting that some folks on here basically look at Torts as the next coming of Satan and yet it seems the majority of the players that play for him have no problem with him. I'll side with the guys that actually deal with him on a daily basis on a personal level. I'd say that they know him a lot better than you do.
- Phillywhiteout

Two things can be true, I see the good he does and I am baffled by other stuff he does.

The story Del Zotto tells about the training staff missing that Voracek had gout is crazy.

NHL history is rife with coaches who were very successful that were disliked by players. Mike Keenan, Ken Hitchcock, Mike Babcock, and yes, Tortorella.
- MJL

Torts was voted least favorite coach in a poll of players from 5 years ago.

Is Sullivan fired yet? Just a few tweaks to the coaching staff and easily adding a young bottom six forward and top 4 dman with low cap hit without giving up draft capital away and the Pens are legit contenders again.
- StepfordSam

Quite the pickle the Pens are in.