this is just false, they have no issue generating transition offense. Do you even watch the team. They get a fair share of their offense through odd man rushes. Hell, Tippett alone gets a couple breakaways a game. His style of play has clearly done nothing to neuter scoring chances provided by all the data out there, whether they have the players to actually score is another story.
- ClaudeFather

It's not false, it's completely true which is part of the reason why the Flyers are a relatively low scoring team. The same reason is part of why they have an awful PP with no creativity by design. No player in the league gets a couple of breakaways a game. That is complete hyperbole. The Flyers are 21st in the league in scoring chances created in the league. The link to the data was supplied to you. Again, to be clear, the number one issue with the Flyers is lack of elite talent. At all positions. The difference between you and I is that I know the difference when I watch the top team play and how they play versus how the Flyers play. I see the difference in their breakout structure, neutral zone post up and give and go's and offensive zone movement. Tortorella doesn't coach offense. He doesn't know how. His idea of offense is here is the puck, go create but you better stay on the right side of the puck.

Now I will readily admit, if the Flyers would play a more aggressive attacking system, it would very likely result in a lower current level of play. In the long run though, it would better prepare this team and be better for young players development. I'm not calling for a lack of defensive structure but for a system and style of play that tilts more to the offensive attack style of play versus the more conservative defensive first system they currently play. It's part of why I call it a mirage.

Torts and the Dubois Situation
Tortorella is constantly criticized for alienating his players. Several press reports blamed him after star center Pierre-Luc Dubois demanded a trade in January (“Pierre-Luc Dubois is another star his coach has thrown away”). “Tortorella has always used a tough-love approach and, while it doesn’t work for all, just look at how things panned out between him and center Pierre-Luc Dubois,” wrote Andrew Steele-Davis for Puck Prose.

But those comments aren’t justified. Tortorella was not the reason Dubois wanted a trade from Columbus. How do we know? Here’s what Dubois had to say:

“He’s a hard coach, I can take it. Nothing’s personal. I grew up with a dad who’s a coach and he told me if a coach challenges you, it’s never personal; he just wants what’s best for you. And that’s how I see ‘Torts’ and I have nothing but respect for him.

“Dubois doesn’t blame Tortorella after trade from Blue Jackets to Jets,” Tim Campbell, NHL.com Staff, Jan. 24, 2021
“I have nothing but respect for him.”

Does that sound like a player who has been “thrown away” by his coach? Do those words sound like Tortorella’s “tough-love approach” didn’t work?

What His Players Had to Say About Torts
Here’s what the Blue Jackets players had to say about their former coach in the exit interviews (listed alphabetically):

Cam Atkinson:
“Torts was my coach for the last six years, so not matter what, it’s going to be different. The expectations of training camp, of how you practice, and how you approach a game, I think that’s definitely helped me become the player I am today, for sure, there’s no question. How you prepare and stuff like that. So, whoever (general manager) Jarmo (Kekäläinen) does bring in its, uh, I know how to prepare, I know how to get ready for a game, and practice, and training camp, and stuff like that. So, as well as every other guy that’s been here, that’s been playing under Torts for at least two to the six years that he’s been here, so, um, yeah. It’s going to be very tough to replace John Tortorella. Just look at his resume.”


- anti-lame[Atkinson also talked about the culture of expecting to win.] “It started with Torts and that trickle-down effect for the players and everyone believing and buying in, and that brick-by-brick mentality. I think Torts has done a great job at instilling that within our system and the leaders that, um, we know what it takes to win.”


[And there’s this comment.] “It’s been six years together. Learned a lot from him. Definitely grown, not just as a hockey player, but as a person. That’s all you want as a player. A coach that trusts you,” (from John Tortorella won’t be back as coach of Columbus Blue Jackets)

Oliver Bjorkstrand:
“As far as obviously Torts, yeah, it’s going to be different, too. He’s obviously going to be missed. But at the same time, he’s the only coach I’ve had in the NHL, so I also excited to try something new and see what that is. We’ve got to remember a lot of the stuff Torts taught us here about hard work, battling, um, just the right way to play.”

Max Domi:
“I think Torts did a great job of holding us all on board here and kind of steering the ship in the direction that he knew he could. I think Torts is a great human being. I certainly learned a lot from him and really appreciate everything he did. For me personally, it sucks when you have a short little window to showcase you as a human, as a person, to your coach. I definitely (chuckles) let him down a little bit to the way I played, so I take that upon myself. But I feel very thankful that I had a chance to play for a future Hall of Fame coach, for sure. He’s a special guy, and I definitely didn’t get to know him as well as I would have liked to. I really appreciate everything he did for me.”

Boone Jenner:
“(Tortorella) has put a big impact on this club, a lot of guys in the room, myself, the whole organization. So, you know, I think Torts mostly talks about the process, and I think that’s what I’m going to miss the most with him. The stuff we’ve went through over the past six years with him, the ups and the downs, all that kind of brought us together and gave us some good success, and I’m going to miss that, for sure. Going through it together, with him, with the guys in the room, when you look back, it’s pretty special, and I’m pretty proud to be a part of it, so, yeah, I’m going to miss that for sure.”

Seth Jones:
”He always found a way to motivate us with a speech. Obviously, he was a very fiery coach and a very emotional coach at times, but at the end of the day he wanted to win just as bad as we did. And he was one of the most passionate coaches I’ve ever played for. And he’s definitely helped my development through these five years I’ve been here, tremendously. The player I’ve grown into, he’s definitely had a key role in that.”

Joonas Korpisalo:
[When asked by my THW colleague Mark Scheig: How has Tortorella helped you?] “Bigtime. It’s six years with him. I was 21 years old when he came in. I was a rookie back then. Just how he handled everything here. I always respected him, and I think me growing as a player and more as a person with him, you know. What he expected of me every day. Every day I was coming to the rink, and he was being honest every time. It grew me as a person a lot, and just being thankful for him being always honest. I respect him a lot. Great season with him – I learned a lot, for sure.”

Elvis Merzlikins:
“Great coach. Great person. Sad that I’m not going to have (the) opportunity to work with him anymore now. He teached me a lot. He was the guy who settled me down and gave me the chance to understand the league. He was the guy who calmed me down, who gave me the opportunity to grow as a man, even outside of hockey, so I’m really, really thankful for that help and, obviously, I’m going to miss that kind of personality.”

Jack Roslovic:
“To have him there to help me grow, I think it went well. He definitely helped me out. It was definitely, you know, harder times than not, so it was one way that I like to learn.”

Zach Werenski:
“Personally, I love Torts. Me and Torts went through it. My first year I came in, it was smooth sailing. My second and third years, I had some struggles defensively. He was hard on me; he pushed me to be better. And I think as of the last few years, just going through that process with him, becoming a better hockey player, seeing what he means to the room, the city, the organization. I’m very honored to have played for him for the first five years of my career, and, you know, it was awesome. I loved playing for him for every minute. And I think it will be weird. I’ve only had one coach in the NHL, so I’m not too sure what to expect with a different one, but obviously, he set the bar high, and, like I said, I really enjoyed playing for him. It’s tough when your only coach and a guy you have that much respect for moves on, but I wish him nothing but the best. Like I said, it was awesome to play for him, and it was an honor.”

The players “learned from him,” and he “taught” them and helped them “grow.” He “will be missed” and has the players’ “respect.” He’ll be “tough to replace.” That is how his players describe Tortorella.

Not Sucking Up
We know this wasn’t an attempt to curry favor, because they knew he wouldn’t be their coach next season. Yes, they could be reunited years later. It happened to the 2020-21 Blue Jackets. Michael Del Zotto was a rookie with the New York Rangers when he was first coached by Tortorella. Torts recalled that it wasn’t an easy time:

I had Del Z when he came in as a first-year player in New York — full of swagger, sometimes a little bit too much swagger. (He) went through the process with me. Sent him down, wasn’t happy — all that stuff that we always talk about when you’re developing with a young guy, he went through it with me.

“Del Zotto, Tortorella together again with Blue Jackets,” Jeff Svoboda, BlueJackets.com, Jan. 17, 2021
Here’s what Del Zotto had to say about Torts:

“The thing with Torts, you know where you stand with him. He’s brutally honest. If you can take it, if you have thick skin, there’s no other coach you’d rather play for. When you play for coaches where you don’t know where you stand, it’s tough to have a conversation with (them). You’re not sure if they’re telling the truth or not with you. With him, you know where you stand every day, and that’s very hard to find. He wears his heart on his sleeve, too. He would do anything for his players.”

“Del Zotto, Tortorella together again with Blue Jackets,” Jeff Svoboda, BlueJackets.com, Jan. 17, 2021
“He would do anything for his players.”

That may not be the version of Tortorella that the media likes to portray, but it’s the one his players know.

It’s pretty obvious what kind of coach Torts is. Surprising that some that love to tell us what hockey experts they are can’t see something so simple. Congrats to Torts and his 1500th game tonight.

this is just false, they have no issue generating transition offense. Do you even watch the team. They get a fair share of their offense through odd man rushes. Hell, Tippett alone gets a couple breakaways a game. His style of play has clearly done nothing to neuter scoring chances provided by all the data out there, whether they have the players to actually score is another story.
- ClaudeFather

NHL guys this morning said the Flyers transition game and neutral zone play has been very good. Forecheck as well .

NHL guys this morning said the Flyers transition game and neutral zone play has been very good. Forecheck as well .
- Angus4444

Lol but what do they know right? I swear the morons on here don’t watch the games.

It's not false, it's completely true which is part of the reason why the Flyers are a relatively low scoring team. The same reason is part of why they have an awful PP with no creativity by design. No player in the league gets a couple of breakaways a game. That is complete hyperbole. The Flyers are 21st in the league in scoring chances created in the league. The link to the data was supplied to you. Again, to be clear, the number one issue with the Flyers is lack of elite talent. At all positions. The difference between you and I is that I know the difference when I watch the top team play and how they play versus how the Flyers play. I see the difference in their breakout structure, neutral zone post up and give and go's and offensive zone movement. Tortorella doesn't coach offense. He doesn't know how. His idea of offense is here is the puck, go create but you better stay on the right side of the puck.

Now I will readily admit, if the Flyers would play a more aggressive attacking system, it would very likely result in a lower current level of play. In the long run though, it would better prepare this team and be better for young players development. I'm not calling for a lack of defensive structure but for a system and style of play that tilts more to the offensive attack style of play versus the more conservative defensive first system they currently play. It's part of why I call it a mirage.
- MJL

When someone says 24/7 it’s usually tongue in cheek. I’m not providing you a link, you know you’re on here 12-15 hours a day. Are you ok ? You banned yourself from talking to me .

Lol but what do they know right? I swear the morons on here don’t watch the games.
- ClaudeFather

I know rite, god forbid certain people on here take the opinions of NHL players and GM’s .

i would never want a moderator in here. i can’t help but giggle - the more things change, the more they stay the same.
- hammarby31

Hello hammarby31

Hello hammarby31
- roenick97

hello, good sir. it’s been awhile…

NHL guys this morning said the Flyers transition game and neutral zone play has been very good. Forecheck as well .
- Angus4444

The strength of the Flyers no matter who coaches is the forcheck. Torts has been harping on forcheck since he’s got here and the team doesn’t do it and the media asks what went wrong in a game, Torts will only reply with “forcheck”.

hello, good sir. it’s been awhile…
- hammarby31

Good to see you’re still around. Gone are the days of Crims, Ob18, Scoob, Davies, Jsaquella and Buts16.

But we still have MJL though.

Good to see you’re still around. Gone are the days of Crims, Ob18, Scoob, Davies, Jsaquella and Buts16.

But we still have MJL though.
- roenick97

Scoob posted the other day

Torts would have 3 Cups by now if he had been behind the Tampon bay bench the last 5 years. Torts going after that Jack Adams! Please don't ask for moderators here. The last guy was a Laff fan that was ban happy! You don't like someone or what they have to say? Just ignore them. Thanks!

Torts would have 3 Cups by now if he had been behind the Tampon bay bench the last 5 years. Torts going after that Jack Adams! Please don't ask for moderators here. The last guy was a Laff fan that was ban happy! You don't like someone or what they have to say? Just ignore them. Thanks!
- Phillywhiteout

maybe maybe not

Cooper is a better coach

Good to see you’re still around. Gone are the days of Crims, Ob18, Scoob, Davies, Jsaquella and Buts16.

But we still have MJL though.
- roenick97

dropping names from the passed.

love buts.

Scoob posted the other day
- rayc16

I did - thanks for noticing. 😊

I love this team.
- Scoob

yup

Good to see you’re still around. Gone are the days of Crims, Ob18, Scoob, Davies, Jsaquella and Buts16.

But we still have MJL though.
- roenick97

i woke up today and chose chaos.

Two former Flyers get burnt shorthanded by a former red wing.

What is Czechia Czech Republic?

What is Czechia Czech Republic?
- Just5

yes

Not one of his better games for sure.
- MBFlyerfan

Is it just me? I'm starting to think that maybe Cutter is not what we think he is. The games I've watched at the WJC for the past 2 years have not given me as much hope in him as others around here seem to have. Could he be a bust before he even begins with the Flyers? Not looking to start sheet here. Just my observation and concern.

maybe maybe not

Cooper is a better coach
- THE BLACK HAND

And if the queen had balls, she'd be the king.

Good to see you’re still around. Gone are the days of Crims, Ob18, Scoob, Davies, Jsaquella and Buts16.

But we still have MJL though.
- roenick97

Thank God we still have MJL to tell everyone what is proper or not on a message board. Plus we need him to tell us that Risto is a mediocre 3rd pair d-man at best, ND is a Neanderthal slug that shouldn't be in the NHL, and that Torts is an archaic dinosaur who is a mastermind manipulator that controls everything the Flyers org does....plus hasn't won a cup in almost 20 years.

Is it just me? I'm starting to think that maybe Cutter is not what we think he is. The games I've watched at the WJC for the past 2 years have not given me as much hope in him as others around here seem to have. Could he be a bust before he even begins with the Flyers? Not looking to start sheet here. Just my observation and concern.
- Letterkenney

I think I have to disagree. He was an underager playing at the WJC last year and put up a nice amount of points. I watch a lot of BC games and he is a force out there most nights. The first game of the WJC he had 3 assists and it should have been 4.

Today he was kind of off. It happens.

The Flyers didn't score on the PP but I like how they moved the puck. More aggressive in looking for the shot instead of playing hesitantly. It's a start.

The Flyers didn't score on the PP but I like how they moved the puck. More aggressive in looking for the shot instead of playing hesitantly. It's a start.
- MJL

Holy Moly! I agree with you again plus you have made positive comments about the Flyers 2 days in a row! I wish they would continue looking for the shot as you mentioned. Drives me crazy how hesitant they typically are on the PP.