He was asked why Hags doesn't get more power play time. He gave an honest answer. Maybe too honest, he could have said b/c he is ineffective and not used the word stink. I also think, if the Rangers win yesterday, this is a non-issue. He did go on to say that he loves him as a player and trusts him in every situation and he has never had a player so effective 5 on 5 and so ineffective 5 on 4...i'm not defending him but the other things he said about Hags shouldn't be left out either.
- Blueshirts4ever

Rangers score a PP goal and it's a non issue, back to that debacle and it stands at 2 for 37, any team with that big a problem does not deserve to be in the 2nd round and that coaching staff should be exiled

With the cap going down our prospects of getting a "new PP specialist" is very weak but you could bring in whoever you want and my guess is the PP will kill this team next season too, when's enough going to be enough?

Agreed and so far that is the difference. The Rangers aren't taking advantage of Bruins' breakdowns and the Bruins are capitalizing on just about every Ranger mistake.
- MidnightMarauder

Exactly what we experienced against the Pens.

Exactly what we experienced against the Pens.
- Cptmjl

I mentioned yesterday, the Caps looked more dangerous but Boston is way more opportunistic...thats difficult to overcome

Rangers score a PP goal and it's a non issue, back to that debacle and it stands at 2 for 37, any team with that big a problem does not deserve to be in the 2nd round and that coaching staff should be exiled

With the cap going down our prospects of getting a "new PP specialist" is very weak but you could bring in whoever you want and my guess is the PP will kill this team next season too, when's enough going to be enough?
- cranford93

i hear ya loudly and clearly. I think next season is a big big year for everyone involved with this current group. I am leaning in the direction that they don't buy out BR until they have to in 2014. The team could look much different heading into that summer. My guess is Slats is committed to this group until that time. Changes will be made but not the type that constitutes a rebuild as much as it will retool and put into place a different philosophy.

I called him out for it too but he was asked a question, he didn't just come out and call out Hags
- cranford93

You have so many veterans on your team that aren't doing their jobs and Hagelin is the guy you say "stinks?"

Is Hagelin the guy who's supposed to get you to Cup?

Just because someone in the press asks you a question doesn't mean you have to answer it. Especially in the fashion he did.

Again...Tortarella has proven he can't take criticism himself, so I find it kinda hypocritical that this is the way he dishes out motivation. Stupid bullying tactics, that far too often DON'T work. Especially with young guys like Hagelin.

Like MM said...call out Nash, call out Richards, call out a veteran. Call out a guy that makes 7 figures at least. Go ahead, John, let Larry (frank)ing Brooks get under your skin once again.

i hear ya loudly and clearly. I think next season is a big big year for everyone involved with this current group. I am leaning in the direction that they don't buy out BR until they have to in 2014. The team could look much different heading into that summer. My guess is Slats is committed to this group until that time. Changes will be made but not the type that constitutes a rebuild as much as it will retool and put into place a different philosophy.
- Blueshirts4ever

we need to get quicker on the 3rd and 4th lines, doing away with Richards might have to happen now, it would open the door for a possible DZ+ trade for Yandle which needs to happen, also getting rid of quicksand hockey himself Taylor Pyatt

You have so many veterans on your team that aren't doing their jobs and Hagelin is the guy you say "stinks?"

Is Hagelin the guy who's supposed to get you to Cup?

Just because someone in the press asks you a question doesn't mean you have to answer it. Especially in the fashion he did.

Again...Tortarella has proven he can't take criticism himself, so I find it kinda hypocritical that this is the way he dishes out motivation. Stupid bullying tactics, that far too often DON'T work. Especially with young guys like Hagelin.

Like MM said...call out Nash, call out Richards, call out a veteran. Call out a guy that makes 7 figures at least. Go ahead, John, let Larry (frank)ing Brooks get under your skin once again.
- potvin05

I don't know why the question was even asked by the media, they are just searching for a story line and they found one, Torts likes to make the story about him during the postseason so I'm guessing this is more of the same, he makes no sense to me.

I mentioned yesterday, the Caps looked more dangerous but Boston is way more opportunistic...thats difficult to overcome
- Blueshirts4ever

Boston to me is a perfectly built playoff team. Has been for a while now. Big, mobile, skilled. Good goaltending.

I called him out for it too but he was asked a question, he didn't just come out and call out Hags
- cranford93

True but why pick the time to be honest with the media and sh!t on one of your forwards that is actually playing well? When asked about a slug like Richards he always defers to the next question or protects him.

Protect all of your players and not just your favorites. No matter how it is sliced, it comes off immature.

You have so many veterans on your team that aren't doing their jobs and Hagelin is the guy you say "stinks?"

Is Hagelin the guy who's supposed to get you to Cup?

Just because someone in the press asks you a question doesn't mean you have to answer it. Especially in the fashion he did.

Again...Tortarella has proven he can't take criticism himself, so I find it kinda hypocritical that this is the way he dishes out motivation. Stupid bullying tactics, that far too often DON'T work. Especially with young guys like Hagelin.

Like MM said...call out Nash, call out Richards, call out a veteran. Call out a guy that makes 7 figures at least. Go ahead, John, let Larry (frank)ing Brooks get under your skin once again.
- potvin05

He should have just given the status quo Tortorella remark instead of trashing a good young player.

He should have just given the status quo Tortorella remark instead of trashing a good young player.
- MidnightMarauder

Hopefully we won't have to endure these questions anymore, unless we advance or win the Cup I think they need a fresh face, they don't need a buddy but they certainly don't need an enemy

He was asked why Hags doesn't get more power play time. He gave an honest answer. Maybe too honest, he could have said b/c he is ineffective and not used the word stink. I also think, if the Rangers win yesterday, this is a non-issue. He did go on to say that he loves him as a player and trusts him in every situation and he has never had a player so effective 5 on 5 and so ineffective 5 on 4...i'm not defending him but the other things he said about Hags shouldn't be left out either.
- Blueshirts4ever

So no one ever asked him about his boy Richards?

we need to get quicker on the 3rd and 4th lines, doing away with Richards might have to happen now, it would open the door for a possible DZ+ trade for Yandle which needs to happen, also getting rid of quicksand hockey himself Taylor Pyatt
- cranford93

They get blasted this round and I expect moves to be made in the offseason. Not a ton of moves but a power play quarterback like their franchise depended on it.

It just might, at the end of the day, their power play is an albatross around their proverbial necks.

I don't get the theory Torts tries to draw the attention off the players in postseason. Guy is a jerk all the time just more people paying attention in playoffs.

Hopefully we won't have to endure these questions anymore, unless we advance or win the Cup I think they need a fresh face, they don't need a buddy but they certainly don't need an enemy
- cranford93

I don't want to stir the pot but sometimes I do think the players are collectively tired of the routine.

He should have just given the status quo Tortorella remark instead of trashing a good young player.
- MidnightMarauder

Its funny, you can tell Pierre Mcguire hates him based on all the comments he makes He was trashing Torts for that remark. You know its bad when Pierre is trashing you when he loves everyone

They get blasted this round and I expect moves to be made in the offseason. Not a ton of moves but a power play quarterback like their franchise depended on it.

It just might, at the end of the day, their power play is an albatross around their proverbial necks.
- MidnightMarauder

we're failing to take the next step because we fill a glaring need and then open up another one, Sather has in a whole failed for over a decade, yes he's 10000% better from his 1st 3 or 4 years but it hasn't paid off.

Its funny, you can tell Pierre Mcguire hates him based on all the comments he makes He was trashing Torts for that remark. You know its bad when Pierre is trashing you when he loves everyone
- mrhattrick27

I wanted to break the TV after the Lucic goal,"that's what you get when you poke the bear"....what ? Where was Lucic involved before taping home an easy open net? Sounded like Pierre was itching to use that one

So no one ever asked him about his boy Richards?
- Chris Erwin

His boy is being phased out more and more every game. What do you want them to ask him? He knows he stinks or else he'd be getting more ice time

I don't want to stir the pot but sometimes I do think the players are collectively tired of the routine.
- MidnightMarauder

Sometimes? I think a lot of them are, and a fresh face in the offseason would do you guys wonders. Lindy Ruff would be a great fit for you.

Even when Callahan offered that "defense" of Tortarella after the Avery tweet, it seemed like a captain of a team doing what is right for his team, not defending the coach.

definitely starting to visit the Brad Richards amnesty talk.

I'd love a win tomorrow to keep our minds from getting to the offseason though, but it's getting harder and harder not to think about it

Sometimes? I think a lot of them are, and a fresh face in the offseason would do you guys wonders. Lindy Ruff would be a great fit for you.

Even when Callahan offered that "defense" of Tortarella after the Avery tweet, it seemed like a captain of a team doing what is right for his team, not defending the coach.
- potvin05

I don't see any quit yet tho. They've had their backs to the wall already in the playoffs and didn't cave

Ruff is torts with reddish/blond hair. I think they'd go in a new direction completely

definitely starting to visit the Brad Richards amnesty talk.

I'd love a win tomorrow to keep our minds from getting to the offseason though, but it's getting harder and harder not to think about it
- jimbro83

We'll win tomorrow.

+1000. When Clowe comes back it should be Richards who is benched but that will never happen because Torts loves him. Just really hoping he is bought out.. Get 2 solid $4M players to add to thsi team to repalce Richards and Pyatt? We'd be lethal.
- mrhattrick27

Pyatt has been good in the playoffs

Pyatt has been good in the playoffs
- tbreinold

I agree. Him and Boyle were huge vs the caps. Pyatt is important for his size along the boards. Guys like him even tho they are as slow as snails are needed in a playoff series. He's the least if the teams issues