If they're going to have players on the team for that reason. I'm far more interested in protection than retaliation. The old school ways don't work any longer.
- MJL

The old school thinking that you have to follow the code when the other team doesn’t and have your Neanderthal fight theirs is not smart. You make Lee and Nelson fight and sit.

Hahaha
Theyre using a goal of his in their home opener promo
- THE BLACK HAND

Means nothing. The front office doesn't tip comms off on who will/won't make the team. If MacEwen doesn't make the club, they'll pop in a different clip.

Means nothing. The front office doesn't tip comms off on who will/won't make the team. If MacEwen doesn't make the club, they'll pop in a different clip.
- bmeltzer

Does Scott and the management team realize they are the laughing stock of the league?

Overall reply, if the group wants Des or Mac to take a third man in I am fine with that. I can see why they did they did not. Specifically, MacEwan. Johnston is a punk for choosing Attard. Attard battled hard.

In the end, I am indifferent either way because it was a preseason game.
- mickel25

I think it’s indefensible. If these are the guys the organization wants in the line up, so what you were brought in for.

Being a pre season game is even more reason to jump in.
- MJL

Sure.

I'll believe it when I see it. What were the circumstances?

There is no such thing as true and equal accountability in the NHL.
- MJL

Aside from a few famous incidents (Richards and Gaborik in NY, Luongo in Van), Torts mostly sticks with making an example out of kids.

When he starts benching vets, that's when you know he's starting to lose the handle on his teams and nobody is scared of him anymore.

Is this dude still in the early 2000s? Hockey, especially the offense, is not really in small areas anymore.
- PT21

I'm guessing that he is referring to puck battles along the boards which is still very prevelant in today's game. I mean, the game is all about puck possession and if you can't win those battles you aren't going to be in possession of the puck very often. The unfortunate part of this is the fact that this Flyers team will most likely rarely possess the puck. They don't have guys to win battles and even if they gain possession of the puck they have very few players on this roster that can carry the puck and maintain possession. It's gonna be a looooong season unless I'm missing something.
- Phillywhiteout

Hoping nobody minds lifting this from yesterday's thread.

So, yeah, puck battles/being hard on the puck/ being competitive and so on is all fine and dandy. But you no longer see teams just dump the puck in for prolonged periods of play and "wear the other team out". Play is now much, much more back and forth.

I am not devaluing the "near-the-boards" play, but it seems odd to focus on that part of things. It is a little like an NFL coach saying that run-blocking for the RB and WR's is what he will focus on. Important no doubt, but this isn't the 90s and no one uses a fullback anymore.

The old school thinking that you have to follow the code when the other team doesn’t and have your Neanderthal fight theirs is not smart. You make Lee and Nelson fight and sit.
- Minnyhock

Actually what I'm advocating for is not following the code.

He has benched vets before and will do it again. It will happen here. Provorov and Hayes certainly are not above the law…
- Joe Nardone

I truly and honestly do not understand this narrative with Provorov. Provorov's major fault is and always has been that he tries too hard and tries to do TOO MUCH on the ice.

If anything Torts is going to have to reign in his compete level and get him to worry less about doing everything and worry more about just staying within himself. Torts is going to love him.

Proud to be a Flyers fan. Look at this. In our darkest hour, we present a united front.

https://twitter.com/theat...&t=6w0rPO7rWBlZF2tJureEzQ

If only someone would figure out that these fans don’t want to be lied to anymore. Hope can happen with a clear and realistic plan. Maybe someday…

https://twitter.com/Bruce...5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=

Does the GM put in a claim?

Proud to be a Flyers fan. Look at this. In our darkest hour, we present a united front.

https://twitter.com/theat...&t=6w0rPO7rWBlZF2tJureEzQ

If only someone would figure out that these fans don’t want to be lied to anymore. Hope can happen with a clear and realistic plan. Maybe someday…
- NC Flyers Fan

Is that you there?

(can't be me b/c I'm wearing a blue #16)

Actually what I'm advocating for is not following the code.
- MJL

Making Lee and Nelson fight sends a message. It’s different but the Isles will get it.

Whoa now. Just 2 or was it 3 years ago, AV benched JVR and demoted Jake to 4th line. Did it really produce anything dramatically different in either player's play or Flyers results?
- PT21

Just because a coach takes the actions to which you speak, doesn’t mean that a guy can’t work his way out of a dog house. No one should suggest a young guy deserves or gets the exact treatment of a young player simply because in most cases the older player has a proven track record. The young guys still have to prove they can do it. It’s pretty evident the Flyers need an overall attitude adjustment…it starts with effort and attention to detail. I could actually see Torts going at a vet on purpose just to set the tone….if the last couple years are any indication there will be more then a few candidates….everything is roses right now…that honeymoon period will come to an end sooner then some seem to think.

Proud to be a Flyers fan. Look at this. In our darkest hour, we present a united front.

https://twitter.com/theat...&t=6w0rPO7rWBlZF2tJureEzQ

If only someone would figure out that these fans don’t want to be lied to anymore. Hope can happen with a clear and realistic plan. Maybe someday…
- NC Flyers Fan

That 1.7 is the like 40 some odd % who think Biden is doing a good job. Craziness.

Any ideas on the kind of system we will see? Here is my guess, based on watching CBJ:

From change of possession:

Winger pressures puck carrier right away. Center prevents cross-ice pass and 'shades in' towards puck carrier covering middle of ice. The other forward may join the forecheck or cover the remaining D, depending on judgment. Their primary responsibility is keeping play around the boards right from the get go. Center of ice is where puck CANNOT end up.

I am not sure what this is: the 2-1-2 forecheck or the 1-2-2 forecheck. Doesn;t matter. Hope above is clear.

The D men: conservative, and closer to the boards. Hoping to get a telegraphed pass towards the boards to be able to hem/hit (Risto should love this).

If they gain possession: Essentially a PK system: keep them to the perimeter, concentrate own positions near goal, never be outnumbered in any close battle. Patient, and willing to be out-shot.

Gain possession. Create scoring chances off counterattack.
- PT21

Tortorella to my memory played a 2-1-2 forecheck in the past. Most forechecks are designed to force the opposition and the puck to the middle of the ice. So not sure where you get the idea that the puck can't go there. You want the puck to go there. That's where F3 us waiting for forced turnovers and scoring chances. Choke off the boards, take away the safe outlet and make them move the puck to the dangerous areas of the ice. Which is the middle.
It's F1, F2 and F3. Not center or wing. It's interchangeable unless you're playing something like a center or left wing lock.

https://twitter.com/BruceLeVinePuck/status/1578439217067147264?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1578439217067147264%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=

Does the GM put in a claim?
- furio16

Let’s hope not.

AHL only plays on weekends, so they get a lot more continuous practice time to work on things. He mentioned that also.

I honestly wouldn't read into too much of what Torts says tho. I'm not sure half the things that come out of his mouth are actually thought out at all. It's like 50% bravado, 25% quips, 25% substance/intention.
- Tomahawk

I agree. But I don't understand why you guys are so hard on the mgmt team and CF.

Look how consistent their messaging is: from coach to players. This team is going to be competitive. We know we are not the most talented, but dang it, we will be the most hard-working. Notice how artfully the message is being drummed in: don't expect wins, we are going to be valiant, hard-nosed SOBs.

The blue collar mentality is very prevalent in Philly (and it is not necessarily a bad thing). They have hired a coach perfectly suited to pandering towards that pov and hopefully salvage revenue (while -this could be my wishful thinking - do a designed tank behind the scenes).

Making Lee and Nelson fight sends a message. It’s different but the Isles will get it.
- Minnyhock

It's not going to happen.

Aside from a few famous incidents (Richards and Gaborik in NY, Luongo in Van), Torts mostly sticks with making an example out of kids.

When he starts benching vets, that's when you know he's starting to lose the handle on his teams and nobody is scared of him anymore.
- Tomahawk

Maybe kids get sit because those are the players who aren’t mature yet at the NHL level. What opportunities has Torts missed when it comes to sitting a vet?

It's not going to happen.
- MJL

For the Flyers, absolutely not.

Hoping nobody minds lifting this from yesterday's thread.

So, yeah, puck battles/being hard on the puck/ being competitive and so on is all fine and dandy. But you no longer see teams just dump the puck in for prolonged periods of play and "wear the other team out". Play is now much, much more back and forth.

I am not devaluing the "near-the-boards" play, but it seems odd to focus on that part of things. It is a little like an NFL coach saying that run-blocking for the RB and WR's is what he will focus on. Important no doubt, but this isn't the 90s and no one uses a fullback anymore.
- PT21

AN NFL coach would focus on that if that is all he has. He has no QB and his wideouts stink. Equate that to the Flyers situation.

Making Lee and Nelson fight sends a message. It’s different but the Isles will get it.
- Minnyhock

How do you "make" them fight?

I agree. But I don't understand why you guys are so hard on the mgmt team and CF.

Look how consistent their messaging is: from coach to players. This team is going to be competitive. We know we are not the most talented, but dang it, we will be the most hard-working. Notice how artfully the message is being drummed in: don't expect wins, we are going to be valiant, hard-nosed SOBs.

The blue collar mentality is very prevalent in Philly (and it is not necessarily a bad thing). They have hired a coach perfectly suited to pandering towards that pov and hopefully salvage revenue (while -this could be my wishful thinking - do a designed tank behind the scenes).
- PT21

I don't think you have to be too cynical to see that is exactly what is happening.

Somebody the other day said that Torts is the face of the franchise now. They weren't wrong.

Yes... I should have guessed... that actually was not worded in the manner of a millennial. Just yanking your chain a tad, my friend.

Being of that era, you may remember the ill fated Eagles coach Joe Kuharich who IIRC once uttered that famous line, way back in the day... I'll never forget that funny line. Haha

In any case... yeah, pretty much the case here and now.
- ForeverFlyer16

I know, SSB. And no, I don't remember Kuharich at all. I only moved to the Philly region in the mid 90's.