Not because of his reputation but because of his body of work, how he has given his heart and soul to this team in his entire career as a Flyer, the only team that he has played for. That he was willing to sign onto a long term deal on a team that really has no chance of wining a stanley cup in the near future. That he is a character player and a leader on this team that has always played the right way. That he is coming off of a serious injury where he missed most of two seasons and is trying to play his way back. That the scratching was not about a physical issue or believing that he needs a rest. That there is no value in it unless you're willing to alienate the player and potentially other players.
- MJL

Produce or sit. He’s done nothing for months. His contract is an abomination. His skating is worse. He should have been shown the door before an extension.

EDIT: I love Coots. I expect when he gets back into the lineup he will have a bit more jump. And if he doesn’t then the rest of this contract looks bleak.

I like seeing the team play hard. I don’t care about their feelings. I watched enough lazy play to last a lifetime over the last decade.
- Flyers1218

When is the parade going to be scheduled for that? What trophy is given out for that?

Maybe the teams below them, that seem to have more pure talent, need a coach like Torts?
- landros 2

possibly sure.

Produce or sit. He’s done nothing for months. His contract is an abomination. His skating is worse. He should have been shown the door before an extension.
- Flyers1218

Now we're getting to the nitty gritty. His skating is not worse. If it was produce or sit for everyone, then maybe I could see it. It's not. Examples of how it's not have been given to you. You refuse to accept that.

Who has played as consistently poorly as Coots over the last few months? The writers are trying to find excuses for him, that’s how bad he’s been. The only guy worse is Atkinson. He’s been benched. Nick D… benched. Staal… benched.
- Flyers1218

Laughton was abysmal for two months. Never got scratched, and was allowed to play himself back into form.

When is the parade going to be scheduled for that? What trophy is given out for that?
- MJL

Who knows what will happen. They are in playoff position. Teams past would be grossly underachieving.

Again, you’re pushing your narrative. You hate the coach so you won’t admit that they have obliterated expectations. His message has got through, at least for this year.

It’s similar to Bill saying he deserved no credit for the win yesterday, but the loss would have been squarely on him.

Laughton had his ice time cut. Cates has been dropped to the fourth line. I’m sure a scratch was headed his way. Farabee and Foerster aren’t on one goal in like 30 games stretches.
- Flyers1218

All had extended droughts and did not get benched is my point. Spin it however you want.

Foerster had two 15 game goal draughts this season alone. That includes a single goal in the first 21 games. I do not recall a healthy scratch during either stretch. Laughton has had three separate stretches of 10 games or more without a goal this season. No scratch.

Meanwhile Coots has more points than all of them. Farabee also had a 14 game drought. Never scratched.

That’s true. But this team was projected for bottom 5. Maybe worse. They are in playoff position at the end of March.

Give credit where credit is due. The people not doing it are showing their motives.
- Flyers1218

No, they weren't projected to be bottom 5. They were getting players back, young player progressing. They weren't expected to be a playoff team but not bottom 5.

Laughton was abysmal for two months. Never got scratched, and was allowed to play himself back into form.
- Feanor

Laughton had his ice time cut. He also received the public treatment from Torts about needing to play better. Then he came out of the allstar break on fire.

Coots has been bad for like three months. Hasn’t showed a pulse.

No, they weren't projected to be bottom 5. They were getting players back, young player progressing. They weren't expected to be a playoff team but not bottom 5.
- MJL

Go find me projections that didn’t have them bottom 5.

That’s true. But this team was projected for bottom 5. Maybe worse. They are in playoff position at the end of March.

Give credit where credit is due. The people not doing it are showing their motives.
- Flyers1218

bottom 10-13 not so sure it was bottom 5 though. no one is sayin he hasnt done some good

they have played about as well as you can expect and it still isn't anywhere near good enough to win a cup. that's should be the tell tale sign to the people making the decisions.

There is a right way and a wrong way to react to being benched/scratched and Coots and his agent just demonstrated the wrong way…maybe the worst way. He complained to the media and his agent said something besides “no comment”. This is the kind of “me first” culture the team has been trying to get rid of. Unfortunately, no one wants Coots at the money he makes, so we’re stuck with him. Strip him of his captaincy and move on. He has what, one goal in the last 27 games? That’s a third of the season and absolutely pathetic…he needs to look in the mirror.
- darkerens

okay, so flip the tables here: You have a Captain of the Team and established veteran who is getting benched. Maybe, just maybe the Culture Czar should have addressed the media instead of having his Asst answer the tough questions. Its not like Coots is lighting the world on fire and I think everyone agrees he is struggling. It is how Torts handled the benching. He speaks of the standard but what is the standard to him? Run and hide from the media!?!?!? How is that being accountable?

If he is not communicating w the Captain how is that being the "standard"?

Now we're getting to the nitty gritty. His skating is not worse. If it was produce or sit for everyone, then maybe I could see it. It's not. Examples of how it's not have been given to you. You refuse to accept that.
- MJL

Pretty sure lately he was showing that he might be coming out of it. He was hard on the forecheck in the boston game to create the Deslaurier goal and then was sat. Now scratched.

I agree with you. This move while they got a win last night i think is actually more detrimental. Especially when it seems like the Coach and the Captain are not on the same page.

hope this ex selke situation turns into a tony d/hayes situation and the coach wants him gone....need more entertainment.

All had extended droughts and did not get benched is my point. Spin it however you want.

Foerster had two 15 game goal draughts this season alone. That includes a single goal in the first 21 games. I do not recall a healthy scratch during either stretch. Laughton has had three separate stretches of 10 games or more without a goal this season. No scratch.

Meanwhile Coots has more points than all of them. Farabee also had a 14 game drought. Never scratched.
- mickel25

I mean do you really need it spelled out for you why they are playing and Coots isn’t?

Who knows what will happen. They are in playoff position. Teams past would be grossly underachieving.

Again, you’re pushing your narrative. You hate the coach so you won’t admit that they have obliterated expectations. His message has got through, at least for this year.

It’s similar to Bill saying he deserved no credit for the win yesterday, but the loss would have been squarely on him.
- Flyers1218

LOL, so it's fantasy land. In our conversation, concerning the scratching of Couturier, where have I not admitted that they have exceeded expectations? Where have we even discussed that? LOL

The win last night was not due to the coach. The coach made a tactical error that took a player out of the lineup that was their best choice to employ in the late game situations with the lead with all of the defensive zone draws. Bill didn't say anything about how a loss would've been squarely on Tortorella. Speaking of narratives.

I mean do you really need it spelled out for you why they are playing and Coots isn’t?
- Flyers1218

You're quickly rolling downhill.

Who knows what will happen. They are in playoff position. Teams past would be grossly underachieving.

Again, you’re pushing your narrative. You hate the coach so you won’t admit that they have obliterated expectations. His message has got through, at least for this year.

It’s similar to Bill saying he deserved no credit for the win yesterday, but the loss would have been squarely on him.
- Flyers1218

Players don’t like to be made to feel uncomfortable. Apparently that stretches onto Bloggers, Fans and Hockey Buzz posters as well. Torts methods were well known long before he got here. This type of scenario was as predictable as the sun coming up in the morning.

bottom 10-13 not so sure it was bottom 5 though. no one is sayin he hasnt done some good

they have played about as well as you can expect and it still isn't anywhere near good enough to win a cup. that's should be the tell tale sign to the people making the decisions.
- hello it's me 2050

They don’t have a ton of talent. And they have virtually no top end talent. No one that can dominate a game. Makes this year more impressive.

Yeah there is. They aren’t a super talented team that has been playing over their heads. Coach gets no credit for that because he benched Coots.

He’s not allowed to bench Coots, “because he works hard and puts the team first.” He also hasn’t produced.
- Flyers1218

Would you rather have Coots playing limited minutes and taking defensive zone draws or would you prefer ND play five minutes of hockey and provide nothing?

Go find me projections that didn’t have them bottom 5.
- Flyers1218

You first. Go find me projections that had them bottom 5. Look at the roster. It's not a bottom 5 roster.

I mean do you really need it spelled out for you why they are playing and Coots isn’t?
- Flyers1218

Please spell it out. I submitted my case with compelling data.

Laughton had his ice time cut. He also received the public treatment from Torts about needing to play better. Then he came out of the allstar break on fire.

Coots has been bad for like three months. Hasn’t showed a pulse.
- Flyers1218

I thought there were some games in there that he played pretty good. Over all his play has dipped since his return….after missing a couple of games…but after two years off, I’m not sure anyone should be surprised that there were going to be times when he was going to struggle.

hope this ex selke situation turns into a tony d/hayes situation and the coach wants him gone....need more entertainment.
- hello it's me 2050

The Flyers always have some type of entertainment surrounding them. Unfortunately, it is usually on the negative side of things...

You're quickly rolling downhill.
- MJL

Quickly rolling downhill? If you say so. Like I said. The narratives are out today. If his name wasn’t Couterier no one would care.