So in your mind if Couts had played 17 minutes a game instead of 20+, and if Sanheim had played 22 minutes per game instead of 27 earlier in the season, the Flyers would be playing better now? How else could this Flyers team have played in order to compete? They don't have the talent and elite skill, so they have to win with effort and will. Are you saying it would have better if the players didn't try to so hard earlier in the season so they would have more juice now?
- jd250

That is the point. They had no business winning all those games as it was unsustainable they should have sold, sold, sold.....

I try to criticize him when I think he deserves it and give him credit when he’s earned it. That being said, I suppose I’m in the minority when it comes to Tortorella’s presser last night. There are many reasons a coach may come off as an angry jackwad from time to time. Sometimes he’s really angry and sometimes he’s gonna say things for shock value to keep the heat off the team. I don’t know what his motives were last night. However, a coach can only do so much. We give too much credit and too much blame to coaches all the time. Taking his words at face value he’s frustrated that the team as a whole and as individuals aren’t necessarily playing “playoff hockey” at a time when it’s needed the most. He didn’t call out their heart or their effort, he was calling out their understanding of how the game must be played this time of year. Again, I’m taking it at face value and I certainly don’t know what’s been said at practices, in the film room, or in the locker room. Again, most of his criticism seemed to be on the way they played in the 2nd period which was an embarrassment to Flyers fans and should’ve been to the team. If it were not for Fedotov, the game could have essentially been over by the end of the 2nd. He said what most of us have been feeling these last couple of weeks.
- mikeyo27

Tortorella said the team had no balls. Thats the same as calling out their heart.

I try to criticize him when I think he deserves it and give him credit when he’s earned it. That being said, I suppose I’m in the minority when it comes to Tortorella’s presser last night. There are many reasons a coach may come off as an angry jackwad from time to time. Sometimes he’s really angry and sometimes he’s gonna say things for shock value to keep the heat off the team. I don’t know what his motives were last night. However, a coach can only do so much. We give too much credit and too much blame to coaches all the time. Taking his words at face value he’s frustrated that the team as a whole and as individuals aren’t necessarily playing “playoff hockey” at a time when it’s needed the most. He didn’t call out their heart or their effort, he was calling out their understanding of how the game must be played this time of year. Again, I’m taking it at face value and I certainly don’t know what’s been said at practices, in the film room, or in the locker room. Again, most of his criticism seemed to be on the way they played in the 2nd period which was an embarrassment to Flyers fans and should’ve been to the team. If it were not for Fedotov, the game could have essentially been over by the end of the 2nd. He said what most of us have been feeling these last couple of weeks.
- mikeyo27

Tortorella said the team had no balls. Thats the same as calling out their heart.

sorry the player doesn't get a total pass. he just cant handle a heavy load. that is on management for not recognizing it.

comparing ex selke and sam are to way diff cases.
- hello it's me 2050

Show me one player who misses 2 seasons for a back issue..not a knee or shoulder, but his back, that can come back and play 20+ minutes a night.....

Yes it is on management...the management group, which includes Torts in the three of them. That was kinda my point...poor management on behalf of the team. Coots isn't going to say no to going on the ice, and if he did..he would have been crucified.

I was comparing the usage of the players by management. How is it any different. They have both played too much this year.

Rookies were not getting the job done. I understand putting Cam in, he is a vet and has experience in these situations. ND was there to make sure no funny business would happen.

But it seems no matter who plays, the Flyers just suck right now. I would just play the rookies now since they are not making the playoffs.
- WhiskeyMan

How did the experience Atkinson has benefit the Flyers last night? What do they need? This mythical belief that Deslauriers can prevent funny business from happening? Or some offense from a talented player such as Brink?

Torts is a jack@$$

The team is spent because players were overused and he pushed them to play with game 7 intensity each and every game. They are out of gas and while yes, they can push themselves and ramp it up for a short time like the last 10 mins of regulation, it’s not sustainable for 60 minutes and leaves them totally drained going forward.

For Torts to question their intensity and effort is just despicable. They are trying their best. If the head coach was trying his best, Nic D would never be in the lineup, Brink wouldn’t be sat for a clearly washed up Atkinson and Rocky would have been fired months ago.

John Tortorella is a total fraud and if Jones, Briere and Hilferty think he’s the best choice to coach this team going forward, they’re idiots.
- BiggE

Couldn't have said it any better.

To play devil's advocate here, what if they didn't play with that intensity every game? Where would they be in the standings? Yeah, they might have more energy now, but where would they be in the standings. This team has to play balls to the wall every night cause they simply aren't talented enough to play otherwise. Just my opinion of course.
- Phillywhiteout

That's the point that you and others are missing. Remember back in the season when I said their "success" was a mirage? This is what I was talking about. It's not a sustainable approach moving forward. It's fools gold. While Tortorella can improve a team in the short term. His style and systems of play is not going to result in long term success. Nor is he the right coach for developing young players. It will all come out in the wash and the Jack Adams presenters such as yourself. Will be shocked into reality.

Not really a fair question at this point, but does anyone see Jaime Drysdale as a potential 1D? He's fast, and has an NHL shot but so far...he's just another guy. Are we doomed to comparing him to what Cutter will bring to Anaheim?

I think they planned for hart being gone, thats why theyve drafted so many goalies lately, signed kolosov last year, and tried to get fedetov here earlier. They knew it was coming, maybe just not the exact time
- bradster

they drafted goalies have very little if anything at all to do with hart. Kolosov was drafted 3 years ago so nothing unusual about him being signed. Tried to get Ivan as they should with or without the hart scenario.

Not really a fair question at this point, but does anyone see Jaime Drysdale as a potential 1D? He's fast, and has an NHL shot but so far...he's just another guy. Are we doomed to comparing him to what Cutter will bring to Anaheim?
- DANCER

Not at this point in time but he is 21 years old. He's missed a lot of time also. Too soon to tell.

To play devil's advocate here, what if they didn't play with that intensity every game? Where would they be in the standings? Yeah, they might have more energy now, but where would they be in the standings. This team has to play balls to the wall every night cause they simply aren't talented enough to play otherwise. Just my opinion of course.
- Phillywhiteout

where a true rebuilding should be.

maybe they are just mentally drained at this point. tired of the coach (another one mind you). they will run it back with the same losing core I bet. tk sanheim Laughton should have/should be all moved.

Not really a fair question at this point, but does anyone see Jaime Drysdale as a potential 1D? He's fast, and has an NHL shot but so far...he's just another guy. Are we doomed to comparing him to what Cutter will bring to Anaheim?
- DANCER

I like what I see, that last minute to tie the game he gave a more confident look than any Dman all year. Not that it’s saying much but the skill is there.

Show me one player who misses 2 seasons for a back issue..not a knee or shoulder, but his back, that can come back and play 20+ minutes a night.....

Yes it is on management...the management group, which includes Torts in the three of them. That was kinda my point...poor management on behalf of the team. Coots isn't going to say no to going on the ice, and if he did..he would have been crucified.

I was comparing the usage of the players by management. How is it any different. They have both played too much this year.
- TheFreak

I am not talking about ex selke. yes it was dumb to do what they did as they had no plan for his minutes. said now for a long time.

handling ex selke and sam are not the same in any way. I dont think sam was over worked. It is more like he cant handle it imo.

Couldn't have said it any better.
- MJL

sure you could have, you are the mayor cliff

Not really a fair question at this point, but does anyone see Jaime Drysdale as a potential 1D? He's fast, and has an NHL shot but so far...he's just another guy. Are we doomed to comparing him to what Cutter will bring to Anaheim?
- DANCER

his career has been underwhelming so far.

I am not talking about ex selke. yes it was dumb to do what they did as they had no plan for his minutes. said now for a long time.

handling ex selke and sam are not the same in any way. I dont think sam was over worked. It is more like he cant handle it imo.
- hello it's me 2050

They barely practice, he just hasn’t been good. He’s not close to over worked. The white glove goalie treatment as of late around the league is very odd. Like guys never played the
Majority of games before.

Not really a fair question at this point, but does anyone see Jaime Drysdale as a potential 1D? He's fast, and has an NHL shot but so far...he's just another guy. Are we doomed to comparing him to what Cutter will bring to Anaheim?
- DANCER

No, he is not, and yes the comparing is going to happen, no doubt.

They barely practice, he just hasn’t been good. He’s not close to over worked. The white glove goalie treatment as of late around the league is very odd. Like guys never played the
Majority of games before.
- ClaudeFather

agree on the goalie. he just hasnt been. sometimes it is that easy. no need to conjure up excuses.

agree on the goalie. he just hasnt been. sometimes it is that easy. no need to conjure up excuses.
- hello it's me 2050

Is Joel Farabee run into the ground or has he sucked for a month? Not that he’s had the best linemates, but he’s been missing for a month now.

How did the experience Atkinson has benefit the Flyers last night? What do they need? This mythical belief that Deslauriers can prevent funny business from happening? Or some offense from a talented player such as Brink?
- MJL

Not saying starting Cam did anything positive. Coaches lean on vets more, it didn't work out. But Brink has shown me nothing in the past 20 games he played that says he should be starting. He is as bad as farabee is right now.

ND has that role, does he play it, yes, is it needed all the time against all teams, no. Islanders do have players who take liberties on players.

Is Joel Farabee run into the ground or has he sucked for a month? Not that he’s had the best linemates, but he’s been missing for a month now.
- ClaudeFather

But he is a top LW in the league according to some. Top wingers do not disappear for months a ta time.

I think the whole league knew what was going on long before that. No one was going to trade for him. It also explained, at least to me, why they took 2 goalies in the last draft and were so focused on Fedotov earlier. It also speaks to Harts mental issues. Im sure the stress of what he must have known was coming took an effect.

Sure the general public was (rightfully) in the dark, but you can be sure that the NHL was well aware of what was going to happen.
- MBFlyerfan

I agree. I wonder how long the league knew?

Tortorella said the team had no balls. Thats the same as calling out their heart.
- MJL

Fair point.

They barely practice, he just hasn’t been good. He’s not close to over worked. The white glove goalie treatment as of late around the league is very odd. Like guys never played the
Majority of games before.
- ClaudeFather

The advantage this team had was effort level for 3/4 of the season. Teams have matched their effort level recently. Teams are also structured better this time of year. They are able to take away things the Flyers want to do. The Flyers do not have the talent to overcome those things most nights.

Couple that with very average goaltending for the last 15 games or so and you have the current situation. Some of the players are gassed. Some of it is that they are just not talented enough.

Not saying starting Cam did anything positive. Coaches lean on vets more, it didn't work out. But Brink has shown me nothing in the past 20 games he played that says he should be starting. He is as bad as farabee is right now.

ND has that role, does he play it, yes, is it needed all the time against all teams, no. Islanders do have players who take liberties on players.
- WhiskeyMan

there is no role for ND. simple as that. the isles and every team in the league will play their game with or without ND.

who has a better future with the flyers, brink or ND?