Ok so you have all the excuses why he’s been successful despite what his actual record shows over the past 15 years. My opinion makes me a fool so there’s nothing else to be said. Sorry to see you sink to that level but insults are pretty much par for the course on this site. Have a great day Bill.
- Djapana

I don't see how this is even a hard decision between Trotz and Torts, it has to be Trotz all day long. In his last 8 coaching seasons, Trotz worst winning percentage in .512 and his average winning percentage is .633. Trotz also has a better regular season and playoff winning percentage and his teams have finished in the top 3 more than half the seasons he has coached over his career. This should be a no-brainer.

He's going to reassign himself?

- MJL

My point is he will not be fired.

It’s going to be Torts.

The team controlled media machine is already prepping us.

Imagine watching teams like Colorado, and Tampa then wanting to subjugate a starved fanbase to Tortorella or Barry Trotz hockey. Wanting to double down, on some naive view of success measured by simply being one of 16 teams to make the playoffs.

Clarke needs to be put in a retirement home, because his meddling is ruining the team.

Hextall continues to be proven 100% correct is trying to reduce the influence of the old guard.

It’s going to be Torts.

The team controlled media machine is already prepping us.

Imagine watching teams like Colorado, and Tampa then wanting to subjugate a starved fanbase to Tortorella or Barry Trotz hockey.

Clarke needs to be put in a retirement home, because his meddling is ruining the team.
- FlyerFan3260

It's going to be Torts.... if it isn't Trotz. That is up to Trotz.

There is no "team-controlled media machine". It's just the apparent facts of the situation based on what's leaked out.

It's going to be Torts.... if it isn't Trotz. That is up to Trotz.

There is no "team-controlled media machine". It's just the apparent facts of the situation based on what's leaked out.
- bmeltzer

There most definitely a pro status quo aspect of the media, with Myrtetus being one great example.

Facts are facts as you say. This aggressive retool nonsense, an apparent strategy in an over reliance on FA or trades, continuing to abstain from a rebuild, and shoving a boring product down the throats of the fanbase is a brilliant strategy.

You openly mock the Sabres, and Edmonton. I’m curious in what territory the 2012-2022 Flyers fall in.

The alumni should stick to signing autographs, and away from influencing the team in what’s a gross example of a country club atmosphere.

If the team falters this season, do you for a second believe Fletcher won’t just be moved up with Briere taking over? The plan is already in place to keep cushy jobs for incompetent men. Tortorella is the wrong call, especially with the current list of available men. Especially with a team that’s so in need of improvement development of young players that need to grow an offensive game.

All this team is seemingly concerned with is defending, and a style of play that I’m sure many will be just thrilled to watch. This fantasy of remaining the Broad Street Bullies, being influenced by men from that generation needs to die a swift death.

Clarke is someone I cheered for long ago, but he is a disease at this point.

Just what the Flyers need, an "ol' school' coach that is hostile to the media and doesn't know how to connect with today's players. That will get them to the promised land!

I don't see how this is even a hard decision between Trotz and Torts, it has to be Trotz all day long. In his last 8 coaching seasons, Trotz worst winning percentage in .512 and his average winning percentage is .633. Trotz also has a better regular season and playoff winning percentage and his teams have finished in the top 3 more than half the seasons he has coached over his career. This should be a no-brainer.
- jd250

I’d prefer Trotz based on his success, but am fine with Tort’s. There really is a right way to play ….there really is such a thing as a buy in. He has shown he can bring along young guys like he did in TBay early on. I think Bill is bang on ….it sounds like it’s Trotz if he accepts but Torts if they can’t get him.

This approach is dead wrong. When it comes to team building, and focusing on establishing a contending team.

There are 10 years of direct evidence to prove it’s the case.

Hiring one of the coaches that’s most directly associated with limiting offensive growth for a team so starved of creative ability is definitely interesting.

The Flyers are not interested in building a modern day contender. That’s clear to anyone with a brain. The interest more lies in continuing a Bullies brand, and keeping senile old men content.

I’d prefer Trotz based on his success, but am fine with Tort’s. There really is a right way to play ….there really is such a thing as a buy in. He has shown he can bring along young guys like he did in TBay early on. I think Bill is bang on ….it sounds like it’s Trotz if he accepts but Torts if they can’t get him.
- landros 2

Trotz reportedly had 3 interviews with the Flyers, that kind of tells me he wants the job. My sincere hope is the decision has been made and the Flyers are just waiting for the finals to be over before they announce it, to not interfere with the news cycle of the playoffs.

It's going to be Torts.... if it isn't Trotz. That is up to Trotz.

There is no "team-controlled media machine". It's just the apparent facts of the situation based on what's leaked out.
- bmeltzer

Bill, I would love to know why Cassidy is apparently not getting a longer look here. Do you have any insights? The guy has a career .635 winning percentage!

Trotz reportedly had 3 interviews with the Flyers, that kind of tells me he wants the job. My sincere hope is the decision has been made and the Flyers are just waiting for the finals to be over before they announce it, to not interfere with the news cycle of the playoffs.
- jd250

I’m not a fan of either, as I’ve been quite open with.

I’d like an explanation maybe one day why the Flyers seem so fixated on becoming some sort of defensive powerhouse. It’s worked out so well for the last 10 seasons.

Fletcher weeps constantly about goals against, seems to focus on that aspect of the game above all yet the team continues to bleed goals into the back of their own net even after his attempted improvements.

Fans of other teams are treated to such great hockey, that we get a great example of in these playoffs. Yet the Flyers want to ensure this fanbase continues to watch a product that’s as exciting as a presidential news conference.

Something to ponder.

Defensive men, men with a big ego are often unable to see things from the perspective of the majority. The majority must be wrong after all. Which indeed yes, is at times the case.

When analyzing a Tortorella hire, it’s going to become apparently very quickly how the fans of the rest of the league will laugh at the Flyers yet again.

I’m sure just like with Ristolainen, it will be Clarke along with his men at arms that history will judge at having being correct in the end.

We are watching a systematic destruction of a once proud franchise all for the ego of men unable to see they have it wrong for many years now. Disgusting.

I don't see how this is even a hard decision between Trotz and Torts, it has to be Trotz all day long. In his last 8 coaching seasons, Trotz worst winning percentage in .512 and his average winning percentage is .633. Trotz also has a better regular season and playoff winning percentage and his teams have finished in the top 3 more than half the seasons he has coached over his career. This should be a no-brainer.
- jd250

Yea, that was with Washington and NY. Not the Flyers.

My point is he will not be fired.
- jd250

No kidding! That's the issue that many people have. Who the head decision maker is.

Trotz reportedly had 3 interviews with the Flyers, that kind of tells me he wants the job. My sincere hope is the decision has been made and the Flyers are just waiting for the finals to be over before they announce it, to not interfere with the news cycle of the playoffs.
- jd250

The other day you posted that Trotz doesn't seem to want the job. It was then pointed out to you by myself and others that Trotz has interviewed 3 times with the Flyers. Just another example. Flyers don't care about the news cycle of the playoffs. As if it wouldn't leak anyway. If Trotz was the choice and he agreed, it would be announced.

I’m not a fan of either, as I’ve been quite open with.

I’d like an explanation maybe one day why the Flyers seem so fixated on becoming some sort of defensive powerhouse. It’s worked out so well for the last 10 seasons.

Fletcher weeps constantly about goals against, seems to focus on that aspect of the game above all yet the team continues to bleed goals into the back of their own net even after his attempted improvements.

Fans of other teams are treated to such great hockey, that we get a great example of in these playoffs. Yet the Flyers want to ensure this fanbase continues to watch a product that’s as exciting as a presidential news conference.
- FlyerFan3260

I think you're mischaracterizing Tortorella as a defensive coach. He plays an aggressive forechecking style. Some of his teams haven't been great offensively more due to talent than system and style.

The other day you posted that Trotz doesn't seem to want the job. It was then pointed out to you by myself and others that Trotz has interviewed 3 times with the Flyers. Just another example. Flyers don't care about the news cycle of the playoffs. As if it wouldn't leak anyway. If Trotz was the choice and he agreed, it would be announced.
- MJL

(Think I by mistake flagged this post)

The Flyers have shown to be very good at leaking what’s in their benefit. That was very clear immediately around the time of the Hextall firing.

We get leaks about certain players, Hextall as I mentioned above. Yet men like Barber, Clarke, Fletcher, Samuelsson, or Brown operate as if angels in heaven. So we are lead to believe.

Anything to protect a select few.

Leaking how hard they are trying for Trotz, even if he chooses to not come is a nice PR tactic to try to placate a fanbase.

I think you're mischaracterizing Tortorella as a defensive coach. He plays an aggressive forechecking style. Some of his teams haven't been great offensively more due to talent than system and style.
- MJL

I know the level of aggression his forechecking approach can have.

I also know how likely he is going to favor unrelenting structure compared to creative risk.

It’s really a nice study in being able to analyze fault in an organization, and influence change. A year after catching lighting in a bottle the Canadiens openly opt for a rebuild, and a coach who is seemingly about as different from Tortorella as possible. The Flyers operate with an unrelenting approach that’s lead them nowhere for a decade.

I know the level of aggression his forechecking approach can have.

I also know how likely he is going to favor unrelenting structure compared to creative risk.

It’s really a nice study in being able to analyze fault in an organization, and influence change. A year after catching lighting in a bottle the Canadiens openly opt for a rebuild, and a coach who is seemingly about as different from Tortorella as possible.
- FlyerFan3260

Vinny Lecavalier credits Tortorella with making him the player he became. Many, many players praise Tortorella as a coach. I'm sure some don't also. Keep one thing in mind. When and if this team actually gets to a point of being a true contender, who ever they hire isn't likely to be around.

The far more pressing issue is what you correctly allude to. The influencers and decision makers of this franchise. As long as that is in place. It really doesn't matter.

Vinny Lecavalier credits Tortorella with making him the player he became. Many, many players praise Tortorella as a coach. I'm sure some don't also. Keep one thing in mind. When and if this team actually gets to a point of being a true contender, who ever they hire isn't likely to be around.

The far more pressing issue is what you correctly allude to. The influencers and decision makers of this franchise. As long as that is in place. It really doesn't matter.
- MJL

What about Laine or Dubois? Many players also praised Vigneault, and we were shown very quickly that what Ranger fans said about him was true. Michel Therrien was also not a surprise to anyone who followed his work previously.

The biggest thing this team needed when it came to the next coaching hire is someone strong in player development. That needed to be the most important aspect of the next coaching hire.

I’m not shocked in any way that the best aspect of Tortorella is developing improved “effort”. That’s Bob Clarke all day long.

They continue to make critical flaws in the player development side of things. This is on full display yet again.

Finally, I return to the style of play. Why is it that the rest of the league so often gets treated to a product that’s vastly more entertaining yet the Flyers have fallen in love with an ever increasingly outdated view of being some kind of try hard defensive powerhouse?

THey have to be right once again, and the rest of the league is wrong.

What about Laine or Dubois? Many players also praised Vigneault, and we were shown very quickly that what Ranger fans said about him was true. Michel Therrien was also not a surprise to anyone who followed his work previously.

The biggest thing this team needed when it came to the next coaching hire is someone strong in player development. That needed to be the most important aspect of the next coaching hire.

I’m not shocked in any way that the best aspect of Tortorella is developing improved “effort”. That’s Bob Clarke all day long.

They continue to make critical flaws in the player development side of things. This is on full display yet again.

Finally, I return to the style of play. Why is it that the rest of the league so often gets treated to a product that’s vastly more entertaining yet the Flyers have fallen in love with an ever increasingly outdated view of being some kind of try hard defensive powerhouse?

THey have to be right once again, and the rest of the league is wrong.
- FlyerFan3260

Like I said, I think you're characterizing Tortorella as more of a defensive coach than he is. My main point is that this next coach really isn't going to matter. They're so far in the dark as an organization that fretting over a coach is just wasted emotion. Talent is where it is at,

Like I said, I think you're characterizing Tortorella as more of a defensive coach than he is. My main point is that this next coach really isn't going to matter. They're so far in the dark as an organization that fretting over a coach is just wasted emotion. Talent is where it is at,
- MJL

New blog up

I’m not a fan of either, as I’ve been quite open with.

I’d like an explanation maybe one day why the Flyers seem so fixated on becoming some sort of defensive powerhouse. It’s worked out so well for the last 10 seasons.

Fletcher weeps constantly about goals against, seems to focus on that aspect of the game above all yet the team continues to bleed goals into the back of their own net even after his attempted improvements.

Fans of other teams are treated to such great hockey, that we get a great example of in these playoffs. Yet the Flyers want to ensure this fanbase continues to watch a product that’s as exciting as a presidential news conference.
- FlyerFan3260

I think Fletcher preaches more about puck possession, which leads to fewer goals against. Fletcher has rightly pointed out that the Flyers chase the game far too much over the past two seasons.

The other day you posted that Trotz doesn't seem to want the job. It was then pointed out to you by myself and others that Trotz has interviewed 3 times with the Flyers. Just another example. Flyers don't care about the news cycle of the playoffs. As if it wouldn't leak anyway. If Trotz was the choice and he agreed, it would be announced.
- MJL

From what I understand, the NHL has an unwritten rule about team's making announcements during the finals, i.e. they don't want teams doing it.