The thing is I think you could see a little regression next year. So do the magic bullets work again? My feelings is this is more about the large picture, not just this couple of months.
- J35Bacher

Agreed... I think they have been a little lucky considering the division overall is underperforming. Like you said I do think they could regress next year. I think this offseason will really give us a clue if this is a real rebuild or they are retooling on the fly.

Other teams seem to manage to build and manage better teams without all the shenanigans. I thought Richards was a richard on the ice and off. Probably what made him such a good player. This is pro sports. It’s about the players. The players are above the coach and the team.
- Dkos

I wish we were other teams with better players too. players are above the coach but not the team as a whole IMO

Bill, do you have any insight into what the players reaction to all of this is? I have to think if you keep going after certain players on the roster the players talk and have opinions.
- Flyfly

They aren't happy. Couturier is one of the two universally most-respected teammates in the room, along with Laughton. If they had a say, this wouldn't have happened.

BUT.... no one wants to dwell on it. No one wants the distraction. No one wants it to linger. No one will publicly pour gasoline on the fire because it benefits no one. It doesn't stop the buy in for how the team need to play.

The room itself is still a united front. So that's a positive. It's a bump in the road.... nothing fatal. But it can't become a repeating pattern.

They aren't happy. Couturier is one of the two universally most-respected teammates in the room, along with Laughton. If they had a say, this wouldn't have happened.

BUT.... no one wants to dwell on it. No one wants the distraction. No one wants it to linger. No one will publicly pour gasoline on the fire because it benefits no one. It doesn't stop the buy in for how the team need to play.

The room itself is still a united front. So that's a positive. It's a bump in the road.... nothing fatal. But it can't become a repeating pattern.
- bmeltzer

Thanks Bill! Appreciate the insight. This seems like a strong group as far as the locker room is concerned.

Agreed... I think they have been a little lucky considering the division overall is underperforming. Like you said I do think they could regress next year. I think this offseason will really give us a clue if this is a real rebuild or they are retooling on the fly.
- Flyfly

For me if they want to really rebuild this I would be shopping konecny at the draft.

The thing is I think you could see a little regression next year. So do the magic bullets work again? My feelings is this is more about the large picture, not just this couple of months.
- J35Bacher

And if this little hiccup drives the players to prove the coach wrong and they will themselves into the playoffs and (holding my breath) get past the first round - they may all say "ah we get it now - it was all worth it", can't that benefit them as a group moving forward, even after Torts is long gone?

It is absolutely a gamble and you can lose players that way. but it's a high risk-high reward move. NHL coaches, and especially Torts, have a short shelf life so what does he have to lose?

They aren't happy. Couturier is one of the two universally most-respected teammates in the room, along with Laughton. If they had a say, this wouldn't have happened.

BUT.... no one wants to dwell on it. No one wants the distraction. No one wants it to linger. No one will publicly pour gasoline on the fire because it benefits no one. It doesn't stop the buy in for how the team need to play.

The room itself is still a united front. So that's a positive. It's a bump in the road.... nothing fatal. But it can't become a repeating pattern.
- bmeltzer

I just don’t see any long term benefit to Tort’s actions. The pre lockout era was a different time and a different game. Since 05-06, Tortorella’s overall track record is meh at best. He’s useful if you have a team that is floundering without structure or work ethic, but, once he gets his players to buy in, he hits a wall. His coaching systems are outdated and won’t lead a team to contention.

The Flyers have bought in, they play hard, so good for you John, mission accomplished. But this is as good as it’s going to get under Tortorella. After this season, it’s time to move on. Now, I don’t think Jones/Briere will do that, Tortorella will probably be here for one more year, but a smart GM would make the move.

For me if they want to really rebuild this I would be shopping konecny at the draft.
- J35Bacher

That is #1 on the list to see if this is a true rebuild. I love TK but if we are looking long term I don't think and 8 yr deal over 9M is the way to go. I hate to see him leave but it is what a rebuilding team should do.

That is #1 on the list to see if this is a true rebuild. I love TK but if we are looking long term I don't think and 8 yr deal over 9M is the way to go. I hate to see him leave but it is what a rebuilding team should do.
- Flyfly

Yeah.

I don't want to be the team to give him that deal. I would sell high. Maybe a team like Buffalo, who you know wants to make the playoffs and moved Middlestat, would bite and offer that 2024 1st in a package. That could be top 12.

That would help you in bringing in talent to build with.

From what I understand, they generically talked. The assistants have pulled together video to.go through specifics with Sean. Tortorella is available if Couturier wants to advocate for himself and push back a bit in a one-on-one conversation. But the player has to initiate that.
Sanheim and Frost both did that after getting constantly nitpicking and singled out. York, last year, absolutely refused to take the bait and Tortorella eventually came around this season regardless.

So there's not only one way to get to a better place.
- bmeltzer

Thank you Bill!

That is #1 on the list to see if this is a true rebuild. I love TK but if we are looking long term I don't think and 8 yr deal over 9M is the way to go. I hate to see him leave but it is what a rebuilding team should do.
- Flyfly

I think signing Tippett to that long-term deal should be an indicator that TK gets dealt but we won't know until we know. I agree I'd like to see TK moved after this season.

It's also possible, right or wrong, that once they saw there was a chance to make the playoffs, that they put off a Laughton trade until the offseason to give him one last run with the team out of respect.

I think signing Tippett to that long-term deal should be an indicator that TK gets dealt but we won't know until we know. I agree I'd like to see TK moved after this season.

It's also possible, right or wrong, that once they saw there was a chance to make the playoffs, that they put off a Laughton trade until the offseason to give him one last run with the team out of respect.
- anti-lame

I would move him if the right deal came up but he also could be a guy that would have value again at the TDL next year. Same with Hathaway.

I would like to see them move Deslaurier. He is not needed.

I will not defend that OT lineup. Tippett could blow by everyone on the ice in a 3 in 3. Put him out there.
- anti-lame

As I said last night, when it comes to 3 on 3, put your best offensive players out there and make the other team react and play defense. With all the open ice, it's not about counter punching, it's about attacking and putting the other team on its heels.

Frost, Tippet and TK were made for 3 on 3 .. let the other team worry about them and rely on Ersson to make a save if needed.

I would move him if the right deal came up but he also could be a guy that would have value again at the TDL next year. Same with Hathaway.

I would like to see them move Deslaurier. He is not needed.
- J35Bacher

At a minimum I think the lineup would be better with Couts in the lineup instead of ND, though Couts on the 4th line seems like a waste to me, he has got to be in the top 9.

I'm not really saying it's right or wrong. I just think torts wants to see some fire from his Captain. That's why I thought TK may make for a better Captain under Torts cause he has that fire. I basically agree with what you are saying though. It's hard to force someone to be someone that they aren't and Coots has been a good soldier. I still wonder if he is playing injured cause he tends to play through anything until it just gets to be too much.
- Phillywhiteout

goes along with what I said, Torts picks out the quiet talented/leader type players and can't help himself. He wants them to be like him and they are not, the idea of walking into the office makes them better is hogwash. The only slight benefit, it taking the media off the team and keeping it on him.

At a minimum I think the lineup would be better with Couts in the lineup instead of ND, though Couts on the 4th line seems like a waste to me, he has got to be in the top 9.
- jd250

Him in the lineup allows for you to win a faceoff at the end of the game if needed.

Deslaurier to me brings not much at all.

As I said last night, when it comes to 3 on 3, put your best offensive players out there and make the other team react and play defense. With all the open ice, it's not about counter punching, it's about attacking and putting the other team on its heels.

Frost, Tippet and TK were made for 3 on 3 .. let the other team worry about them and rely on Ersson to make a save if needed.
- jd250

agree, die trying not cowering.

Coots in, ND out, keep Lycksell, role Coots, Lycksell and Foerster, put Cates back with RP and GH.

Sit Jackson, when Seeler is back and let it roll.


Note- GH was a sneaky good signing. Staal was not.

Coots in, ND out, keep Lycksell, role Coots, Lycksell and Foerster, put Cates back with RP and GH.

Sit Jackson, when Seeler is back and let it roll.


Note- GH was a sneaky good signing. Staal was not.
- wcorvette

I would roll the below.

Tippett - Frost - Konecny
Forester - Couturier - Gaurinov
Hathaway - Poehling - Cates
Farabee - Laughton - Brink

That allos 4 lines to roll. Keeps Forst line together. COuturier is in lineup to take important draws. And you don't need to over use him either.

I would roll the below.

Tippett - Frost - Konecny
Forester - Couturier - Gaurinov
Hathaway - Poehling - Cates
Farabee - Laughton - Brink

That allos 4 lines to roll. Keeps Forst line together. COuturier is in lineup to take important draws. And you don't need to over use him either.
- J35Bacher

I do want to see more of Gaurinov, so far he is invisible however, Lycksell with limited time is around the puck more.

I would roll the below.

Tippett - Frost - Konecny
Forester - Couturier - Gaurinov
Hathaway - Poehling - Cates
Farabee - Laughton - Brink

That allos 4 lines to roll. Keeps Forst line together. COuturier is in lineup to take important draws. And you don't need to over use him either.
- J35Bacher

i like this, although for optics and ego I might make that fourth line my third line (not that it matters what you call it, I just see Farabee being the only one upset as to where he's being slotted)

They aren't happy. Couturier is one of the two universally most-respected teammates in the room, along with Laughton. If they had a say, this wouldn't have happened.

BUT.... no one wants to dwell on it. No one wants the distraction. No one wants it to linger. No one will publicly pour gasoline on the fire because it benefits no one. It doesn't stop the buy in for how the team need to play.

The room itself is still a united front. So that's a positive. It's a bump in the road.... nothing fatal. But it can't become a repeating pattern.
- bmeltzer

We're talking about the same guy who went out of his way to embarrass Luongo and Brad Richards.

Torts just never learns.

https://twitter.com/TheFl...tatus/1771224371958284493

In case anyone wonders where the rest of the fanbase stands on Torts and the Flyers. Interesting stuff.
- MBFlyerfan

I like how Torts brings back accountability

i like this, although for optics and ego I might make that fourth line my third line (not that it matters what you call it, I just see Farabee being the only one upset as to where he's being slotted)
- anti-lame

I don't have them in any specific order

Honey Badger Torts don't give a poop what people think