I'll tell you the same thing I tell every other clown. Unless you become a troll, which you are quickly approaching, I'll gladly discuss and debate any of my opinions with you. You can have an opportunity to best me with your superior hockey knowledge. I'm around and easily found. You won't do that though because you know that you can't. Again, there is a public record. Ready when you are. I challenge you.
- MJL

I challenge you lol. You rule Cliff. You troll daily so stop calling others a troll you turd

It’s crazy he thinks he’s undefeated on a message board 😂
- ClaudeFather

Nah, I don't think I'm undefeated or never wrong. Nobody is that. I just think I know more about hockey then you do! Proven by how you have to resort to bullpoop and nonsense rather than actually discussing my opinion. Just for good measure, bud!

Can’t wait to see what he has in store for Michkov
- ClaudeFather

hope MM pulls a michigan in his first practice

Nah, I don't think I'm undefeated or never wrong. Nobody is that. I just think I know more about hockey then you do! Proven by how you have to resort to bullpoop and nonsense rather than actually discussing my opinion. Just for good measure, bud!
- MJL

do you coach youth hockey cliff? if not you should pass your knowledge off on the future of the game. I have no doubt you could lead a team to a national championship.

I have and think he is an a$s most of the time. It's why I don't like him. As a person. His negativity and whole persona rub me the wrong way. Same with his bench demeanor. I am the least violent person you would ever meet, but he makes me want to punch him in his nose. That says enough for me.

Yep..goddam Vancouver Island hippie..lol
- TheFreak

Comes off as a huge Dbag

you saw that in 1 game. His larger, whole career, sample size says differently.

15 minutes is being sheltered somewhat. Mentoring Z lol. Thats fresh take.
- hello it's me 2050

I have no issue with Torts playing Seeler and Walker pairing more on some nights. They both were great last night. They were the strongest pair from what I watched. Z was good last night and Risto wasn’t really noticeable because he just did his job.

Agreed...he's here and is playing better than he has for most of his career. He is playing enough decent minutes to make his contract a non factor. I am not pro or con Risto...if I don't notice him, it's a good thing. But he must keep it up, and it would be nice to see his offense pick it up. He used to have a nice shot.
- TheFreak

Is he really playing better than he has for most of his career? He used to be a defenseman who could provide offense. He's now a 3rd pair defenseman who needs to be sheltered who doesn't provide any offense and is still mediocre defensively. All for the cost of a 1st and a 2nd and a 5M cap hit.

I think it’s fine to be skeptical based on the past decade of Flyers hockey, but this is a new leadership that so far has said the right things and has not done anything to conflict with their words. All I am saying is to just enjoy watching this team play well and have a good season, and if and when the leadership does something conflicting then go ahead and bash them, I’ll be right there with you, and of course claim it’s how I felt all along
- jd250

Both Tortorella and Briere have publicly said that they won't put rebuilding ahead of winning. You can both enjoy the play of the current team and look at things realistically. They're not separate from one another. It's not one or the other.

https://twitter.com/dsilv...tatus/1740729304714289182
- MBFlyerfan

well, (frank)ing teach him, coach

The Flyers win again! Didn't see the game cause I'm trying to recover from my Christmas covid, but saw the highlights. Wow, what a pass by Tippett on that second goal by Walker. This team just gets it! Torts for Jack Adams!! Tocchet who?

I have no issue with Torts playing Seeler and Walker pairing more on some nights. They both were great last night. They were the strongest pair from what I watched. Z was good last night and Risto wasn’t really noticeable because he just did his job.
- landros 2

I dont have as much an issue with RR as some. He is what he is imo, a bottom pairing guy. Doesn't mean he cant help. Just very overpaid and have to live with it.

I had no problem with Risto last night, he played solid, as did Z, Walker and Seeler. I thought York and Sanheim had rough games but then again going against Patterson will do that to you.
- jd250

Ristolainen statistically was mediocre. The issue with Sanheim and York is that they're not a legit top pairing. They're getting the tough matchups and they're not capable of that role. That's one of the big reasons why this teams current level of play should be looked at with skepticism.

So Brink takes the puck away from a player that is what? 8+ inches taller than him, that directly led to a Flyers goal, and all Torts can say is he doesn't what he is doing.

This is the a$s stuff I hate. Why can't he say something like Brink got lucky with the check on Zadarov, and we are continuing to work on that side of the game with him. Instead, it's he doesn't know how to check his a$$..
- TheFreak

It’s a long season for these guys…some of the younger guys are not used to this yet. They need a kick in the a$$ once in a while to keep them engaged. I’m learning more about Torts as a coach as we go along here. To be honest I never paid too much attention to his every day approach until the Flyers brought him in.
Teams win when everybody buys in. When guys are all following the same system….pretty hard to do actually. If a guy appears to not be Torts takes the a hole approach, or tough handed approach. For what ever reason I think Brink is responding to Torts style.

Risto would not be a liability if he played 18 or 19 minutes either, we saw that in the Detroit game. He is doing a great job pairing with Z and mentoring him, I don’t think playing 15 minutes is being sheltered.
- jd250

Again, you fail to understand sample sizes. We have years of samples of Ristolainen's play. He is a clear liability up in the lineup. He is now a highly paid 3rd pair defensema in this league.

I remember way back when RJ Umberger one off season worked on his skating. He came back and looked like a much diff player. Always wondered who he worked with, maybe Bill knows.

Players like brink should find the best there is or close to it and def work with said coach.
- hello it's me 2050

Brink is likely trade bait in the very near future. I don’t ever foresee the Flyers icing a lineup with both Brink and Barkey in it and think Barkey beats him out because of the difference in skating.

Ristolainen statistically was mediocre. The issue with Sanheim and York is that they're not a legit top pairing. They're getting the tough matchups and they're not capable of that role. That's one of the big reasons why this teams current level of play should be looked at with skepticism.
- MJL

did you watch the game cliff? Yes or no? If yes how do you think he played based on your coaches eye?

This is all time from you Cliff. You always outdo yourself, you and JD.
- ClaudeFather

I'm ready when you are bud!

It’s a long season for these guys…some of the younger guys are not used to this yet. They need a kick in the a$$ once in a while to keep them engaged. I’m learning more about Torts as a coach as we go along here. To be honest I never paid too much attention to his every day approach until the Flyers brought him in.
Teams win when everybody buys in. When guys are all following the same system….pretty hard to do actually. If a guy appears to not be Torts takes the a hole approach, or tough handed approach. For what ever reason I think Brink is responding to Torts style.
- landros 2

Torts weeds out the snowflakes! If you can't handle it show yourself out the door! Damn, folks are soft these days. This team is responding to his methods whether people like it or not. This team is a cohesive unit, and they are enjoying themselves and yet people complain on here every day about the way Torts treats the players. I simply don't get it. Eh what?

I dont have as much an issue with RR as some. He is what he is imo, a bottom pairing guy. Doesn't mean he cant help. Just very overpaid and have to live with it.
- hello it's me 2050

Exactly. I was surprised he was so poor in his own end some nights when he got here. The Flyers have never used him like they did in Buffalo. It’s like they have broken this wild mare into a show horse….maybe a show horse in the circus…lol. But my point is they focused on what was his glaring weakness instead of trying to get what Buffalo got out of him. Got to give him some credit, he has put his ego a side and at least attempted to focus more on his role in his own end.

Is he really playing better than he has for most of his career? He used to be a defenseman who could provide offense. He's now a 3rd pair defenseman who needs to be sheltered who doesn't provide any offense and is still mediocre defensively. All for the cost of a 1st and a 2nd and a 5M cap hit.
- MJL

Right ... Fletcher screwed up, and overpaid. I hated the trade at the time, and still do...just like the Hayes signing at the time, plus giving up assets to trade for Hayes rights. It was a waste of team resources. However, that is not really the players fault. I already stated I would like to see more offense from him, and his shot, so I am fully aware he used to get more points. He is trying to change his game around, and the improvements have been for longer than 20 games, as it has stretched back to last season.

He should be commended for that.

I'm surprised there are no comments on Konecny's ridiculously lazy backcheck on the Canucks lone goal. Any comments from Tortorella on that? That's the type of play that has gotten players benched previously.

Right ... Fletcher screwed up, and overpaid. I hated the trade at the time, and still do...just like the Hayes signing at the time, plus giving up assets to trade for Hayes rights. It was a waste of team resources. However, that is not really the players fault. I already stated I would like to see more offense from him, and his shot, so I am fully aware he used to get more points. He is trying to change his game around, and the improvements have been for longer than 20 games, as it has stretched back to last season.

He should be commended for that.
- TheFreak

I don't think he has changed his game. I think it's the result of playing in a more conservative system and playing in a lesser role. Which has all combined to make him a serviceable 3rd pair defenseman. Certainly not a player that you want to pay 5M a year and give up a 1st and a 2nd to acquire. Not saying you but some can pretend all those factors don't exist and ignore it, but I don't.

I don't think he has changed his game. I think it's the result of playing in a more conservative system and playing in a lesser role. Which has all combined to make him a serviceable 3rd pair defenseman. Certainly not a player that you want to pay 5M a year and give up a 1st and a 2nd to acquire. Not saying you but some can pretend all those factors don't exist and ignore it, but I don't.
- MJL

Could you repeat this 55 more times so that we all get it?

Torts weeds out the snowflakes! If you can't handle it show yourself out the door! Damn, folks are soft these days. Eh what?
- Phillywhiteout

100%. I think they said this archaic, Stanley cup winning, Jack Adams award winning past his prime loser moved into 10th all time winningest coach last night. He’ll coach his 1500th game tonight.
He has brought a structure, a team first culture and for now is the right coach at the right time for the Flyers. You can sure see some guys that absolutely love playing for him.

100%. I think they said this archaic, Stanley cup winning, Jack Adams award winning past his prime loser moved into 10th all time winningest coach last night. He’ll coach his 1500th game tonight.
He has brought a structure, a team first culture and for now is the right coach at the right time for the Flyers. You can sure see some guys that absolutely love playing for him.
- landros 2