My problem with this narrative of blaming Torts for running Couts into the ground. Let's presume Couts is not injured because he said he was not. Doesn't this debunk the notion that Torts ran him into the ground? If other centers on the team were playing better earlier in the season (Yes Frost, talking about you), maybe Torts would not have to play Couts 20+ minutes. But regardless, there is not evidence that I have seen or read that points to Couts current play being a result of playing 20+ minutes earlier in the season. Even when Couts was playing 20+ minutes earlier in the season, I didn't think he was playing all that well, in fact he said as much when interviewed, that his game was still a ways off. Over the season, his game just hasn't got there to warrant playing the big minutes. Don't blame the coach, blame the player. The coach is doing what he is supposed to do, coach to win games with the roster he has been given by the GM.
- jd250

no for the simple fact he is probably playing on fumes right now.

there was no action plan in place with ex selke. just run him out there was the plan. That lack of plan falls on the 3 stooges.

beat up beat down on 1 leg ex selk > ND. Playing to won games with ND in the lineup show's how out of touch the coach is today. Torts also has the roster he wanted by the way.

That is fine, but it should apply across the board.
- MBFlyerfan

Who else should he sit?

He sat
Frost - doghouse
Brink - did not like D game
Atkinson - invisible
Coots - invisible
ND - when he has better chances
Errson - against Boston
Sat TK last year.

Who else should he sit?

That is fine, but it should apply across the board.
- MBFlyerfan

Who hasn’t been scratched this year that deserved to be?

Of course, it has to be Tort's fault .. can't possibly be the guy is injured and needs some time to recover ...

- jd250

Of course you can't put two and two together and read the reports on how Couturier took extra skating both after practice and the morning skate. Indicating he is not injured to the point where he can't play. You also can't put two and two together and see that it has followed a predictable pattern. Demotion followed by diminished ice time followed by a healthy scratch.

someone said it earlier, this is a last gasp attempt to get the team going to make the playoffs. The classic us against the coach MO. reaks of desperation.

Of course you can't put two and two together and read the reports on how Couturier took extra skating both after practice and the morning skate. Indicating he is not injured to the point where he can't play. You also can't put two and two together and see that it has followed a predictable pattern. Demotion followed by diminished ice time followed by a healthy scratch.
- MJL

In my opinion, well deserved. Couts has not played well for quite a while now. So which is it? Should Torts give Couts 20+ minutes a game so that he can work his game back to form, but of course risk running him into the ground, or give Couts less responsibility by demoting him in the lineup so he has more time to get his game back, and not be run into the ground? I see you and others blaming Torts for both at this point which is laughable.

Coots is not producing points or on faceoffs. He should be sat.

Torts sits the young kids when they don't produce and he sits the vets. He said he would do this at the beginning of the season.
- WhiskeyMan

I don’t like that he’s being scratched….but I have to agree he has struggled for quite a while now. I fully understand Coot’s issue of treatment…playing 4th line minutes and producing is tough. Is he still a top 12 forward….of course, but unless he starts to play like he’s paid and viewed they will not hang on to a playoff spot. The simple truth is they need ‘ALL’ their top players to play that way.

Who else should he sit?

He sat
Frost - doghouse
Brink - did not like D game
Atkinson - invisible
Coots - invisible
ND - when he has better chances
Errson - against Boston
Sat TK last year.

Who else should he sit?
- WhiskeyMan

Laughton, Cates, Tippett, Farabee etc, ALL players who didn't "produce" for extended periods of time.

someone said it earlier, this is a last gasp attempt to get the team going to make the playoffs. The classic us against the coach MO. reaks of desperation.
- hello it's me 2050

But will it work?

Laughton, Cates, Tippett, Farabee etc, ALL players who didn't "produce" for extended periods of time.
- MBFlyerfan

add the forest

Laughton, Cates, Tippett, Farabee etc, ALL players who didn't "produce" for extended periods of time.
- MBFlyerfan

If you have an entire roster that should be sat at some point, it’s not a coach problem, it’s a talent problem. The fact that Tortorella has a team void of talent in a playoff spot right now is pretty impressive.

But will it work?
- landros 2

nah as the talent isnt there plus I think it has a negative effect if ex selke is scratched.

thing is the players know his game. they know how he operates so in a way i bet they laugh at him behind closed doors.

a "healthy" scratch is not scratching due to injury.

He is not being scratched due to an injury. Coots even said as much...
- TheFreak

I’m sure he is a little banged up.….who’s not at this time of year? But ya he’s healthy enough to go…this is a message to the leader of this team.

no for the simple fact he is probably playing on fumes right now.

there was no action plan in place with ex selke. just run him out there was the plan. That lack of plan falls on the 3 stooges.

beat up beat down on 1 leg ex selk > ND. Playing to won games with ND in the lineup show's how out of touch the coach is today. Torts also has the roster he wanted by the way.
- hello it's me 2050

Stop bringing up ND .. and let's talk about Couts. How is it possible Couts is playing on fumes? He says he is healthy and wants to play more and is not happy he is not. That does not sound like someone who is playing on fumes. The plan for Couts was simple. He started the year in a similar role he had when he last played, his game didn't round into form, he got hurt, came back, game still not right, got demoted so he could work on his game, still not improved so now he may be scratched. If Cout's game was even 75% of what it was prior to his injury, he would be playing and there would be nothing to discuss here. Unfortunately his game is not even at this level.

Of course you can't put two and two together and read the reports on how Couturier took extra skating both after practice and the morning skate. Indicating he is not injured to the point where he can't play. You also can't put two and two together and see that it has followed a predictable pattern. Demotion followed by diminished ice time followed by a healthy scratch.
- MJL

If you don't produce you should not get regular ice time.

I know you think opposite and players should be allowed to play through it. How many games should he be allowed, the rest of the season?

It his job to put the team is its best position to win. If you don't produce then get off the ice. You can either sulk and female dog like Hayes and now Coots seems to be doing or be like TK and learn.

1or 2 games of sitting is fine in my eyes. The young kids are trying to earn the contract Coots just signed, so they mat be a bit more hungry.

At the beginning of the season Coots said he did not sign up for a rebuild. Maybe he wants out.

If you have an entire roster that should be sat at some point, it’s not a coach problem, it’s a talent problem. The fact that Tortorella has a team void of talent in a playoff spot right now is pretty impressive.
- PLindbergh31

Well said, Jack Adams worthy!

You don’t bench your captain simply for not playing well. If he’s not giving an effort in practice or the games then of course you bench him. Accountability is not about the actual results it’s about the effort and staying in the system. Is Tippett benched simply because he hits a couple posts or shoots wide and has a scoreless drought if he’s putting in the effort and playing the right way? Laughton? TK? Sanheim? They’ve all struggled but has it been for lack of effort? Certainly doesn’t seem that way. So what is Couturier doing wrong that there needs to be accountability? Had he been a turnover machine? Not covering his defensive zone area properly? Not skating hard? Giving up on faceoffs?

nah as the talent isnt there plus I think it has a negative effect if ex selke is scratched.

thing is the players know his game. they know how he operates so in a way i bet they laugh at him behind closed doors.
- hello it's me 2050

I’m sure some do laugh at him behind closed doors….guys like Hayes and DeAngelo I’m sure they did.

Couturier sounds like a petulant child. “The way I’ve been treated around here” you mean being paid 8 million the last few years and not playing. Shows zero perspective.

Stop bringing up ND .. and let's talk about Couts. How is it possible Couts is playing on fumes? He says he is healthy and wants to play more and is not happy he is not. That does not sound like someone who is playing on fumes. The plan for Couts was simple. He started the year in a similar role he had when he last played, his game didn't round into form, he got hurt, came back, game still not right, got demoted so he could work on his game, still not improved so now he may be scratched. If Cout's game was even 75% of what it was prior to his injury, he would be playing and there would be nothing to discuss here. Unfortunately his game is not even at this level.
- jd250

stfu...yeah lets talk about ex selke.

how is it possible he is playing on fumes? well lets see. double back surgery. missed 2 seasons. that is a possible valid reason no?

There was no plan for him. Only being the parrot that you are, you cant see it or wont accept it.

no player is happy they are out so that statement is meaningless.

he is still one of your top 4 centers. Dems the facts slapnuts.

what about the "room" you always talk about. how will that effect the "boys"?

If you don't produce you should not get regular ice time.

I know you think opposite and players should be allowed to play through it. How many games should he be allowed, the rest of the season?

It his job to put the team is its best position to win. If you don't produce then get off the ice. You can either sulk and female dog like Hayes and now Coots seems to be doing or be like TK and learn.

1or 2 games of sitting is fine in my eyes. The young kids are trying to earn the contract Coots just signed, so they mat be a bit more hungry.

At the beginning of the season Coots said he did not sign up for a rebuild. Maybe he wants out.
- WhiskeyMan

With his contract and health history…tied to this years production….he’s going no where.

I’m sure some do laugh at him behind closed doors….guys like Hayes and DeAngelo I’m sure they did.
- landros 2

yeah and where did that get his stupid ass?

If you don't produce you should not get regular ice time.

I know you think opposite and players should be allowed to play through it. How many games should he be allowed, the rest of the season?

It his job to put the team is its best position to win. If you don't produce then get off the ice. You can either sulk and female dog like Hayes and now Coots seems to be doing or be like TK and learn.

1or 2 games of sitting is fine in my eyes. The young kids are trying to earn the contract Coots just signed, so they mat be a bit more hungry.

At the beginning of the season Coots said he did not sign up for a rebuild. Maybe he wants out.
- WhiskeyMan

Not all players can produce as well as Deslauriers and Laughton. You’re right. Produce or get off the ice!

I’m sure some do laugh at him behind closed doors….guys like Hayes and DeAngelo I’m sure they did.
- landros 2

many more imo.

Would love to see a player just sock him, shocked that hasnt happened yet to a coach in today game.

Couturier sounds like a petulant child. “The way I’ve been treated around here” you mean being paid 8 million the last few years and not playing. Shows zero perspective.
- PLindbergh31

I always love this perspective. You make such and such money so you are no longer human.