It doesn't matter what I think. It sure as hell doesn't matter what YOU think (whoever the hell you are). it DOES matter how this went over in the room, with Tortorella barely communicating beyond "you need to be better", then scratching their captain in a must-win game, and then sending an assistant coach out to do gameday media because the HC "doesn't want to talk today" (THAT was the reason we were told, and which turned out to be true). That was weak as hell.

And if you don't think the players noticed and didn't like it -- or that the GM and the POHO didn't notice it and were A-OK with it (not the scatch decision, which is a coach's prerogative, but with someone who preaches professionalism and accountability out the wazoo demonstrating anything but those traits -- I can you that you are 100 percent wrong.


Fact: Back in November, Tortorella was asked about Couturier's very heavy ice time. He said they KNEW he had to be mindful of load management but "with the way the games have been, we have to focus first on winning."

OK, then. So Tortorella is AWARE there's a risk of Couturier hitting the wall but decides to cross that bridge when he comes to it.

Now it's early January. Couturier has played 40 games, putting up basically three points per every four games (29 to be precise) and is averaging 20:03 of ice time. So he's doing fine, team is winning, but they're still burning candle at both ends with the player.

Now it's Jan 12-13. Couturier misses two games with an injury (not his back, but something that could linger for awhile). Returns against Dallas. Has a good first game back (adrenaline?). THEN the drop-off happens, steeply and immediately.

It lasts for six weeks. Tortorella KNOWS all the backstory. Yet, reportedly, it's Tortorella's decision to name Couturier captain (which has also been insisted is acurate behind the scenes). Meanwhile, Tortorella had already taken to the crap on the players head/ damn with faint praise method he often uses.

Now it's March. Couturier has never uttered one word of complaint about being moved down in the lineup. Downplays that the mid-January injury had anything to do with his drop-off in play. Actually started playing better in three of his last four games. Healthy scratch for the first time in his NHL career. Faces the music by discussing it, admitting his frustration. That's all it was. A moment of frustration. Insisted he wouldn't rock the boat and would just keep working, which is 100 percent credible because it's what he's done, day in and day out for 13 years.

Where's the coach? Didn't "feel like" talking. Sends an assistant coach out -- who, by the way, gave some worthwhile insight about the area he actually does coach and defers all Couturier questions to the head coach. But the head coach refuses to discuss it again after the game. And won't discuss it two days later when he scratches his captain again in another huge game.

YOU, pal, are not around the room. You have no contact with players or management or anyone around the team. You're a Tortorella fan, and that's fine. But don't tell me you have the slightest clue what's been going on all year. You don't.

No, I don't think Tortorella is going to be dismissed as HC or anything like that. No, I don't think he deserves no credit for things that have right overall this year. He does. But don't tell me "this well strengthen his grip" or some bullcrap like that. This did not help and was not necessary.

That's it.
- bmeltzer

Holy Farging poope - Mic Drop

Johnson is not a top 6 D in the NHL

It doesn't matter what I think. It sure as hell doesn't matter what YOU think (whoever the hell you are). it DOES matter how this went over in the room, with Tortorella barely communicating beyond "you need to be better", then scratching their captain in a must-win game, and then sending an assistant coach out to do gameday media because the HC "doesn't want to talk today" (THAT was the reason we were told, and which turned out to be true). That was weak as hell.

And if you don't think the players noticed and didn't like it -- or that the GM and the POHO didn't notice it and were A-OK with it (not the scatch decision, which is a coach's prerogative, but with someone who preaches professionalism and accountability out the wazoo demonstrating anything but those traits -- I can you that you are 100 percent wrong.


Fact: Back in November, Tortorella was asked about Couturier's very heavy ice time. He said they KNEW he had to be mindful of load management but "with the way the games have been, we have to focus first on winning."

OK, then. So Tortorella is AWARE there's a risk of Couturier hitting the wall but decides to cross that bridge when he comes to it.

Now it's early January. Couturier has played 40 games, putting up basically three points per every four games (29 to be precise) and is averaging 20:03 of ice time. So he's doing fine, team is winning, but they're still burning candle at both ends with the player.

Now it's Jan 12-13. Couturier misses two games with an injury (not his back, but something that could linger for awhile). Returns against Dallas. Has a good first game back (adrenaline?). THEN the drop-off happens, steeply and immediately.

It lasts for six weeks. Tortorella KNOWS all the backstory. Yet, reportedly, it's Tortorella's decision to name Couturier captain (which has also been insisted is acurate behind the scenes). Meanwhile, Tortorella had already taken to the crap on the players head/ damn with faint praise method he often uses.

Now it's March. Couturier has never uttered one word of complaint about being moved down in the lineup. Downplays that the mid-January injury had anything to do with his drop-off in play. Actually started playing better in three of his last four games. Healthy scratch for the first time in his NHL career. Faces the music by discussing it, admitting his frustration. That's all it was. A moment of frustration. Insisted he wouldn't rock the boat and would just keep working, which is 100 percent credible because it's what he's done, day in and day out for 13 years.

Where's the coach? Didn't "feel like" talking. Sends an assistant coach out -- who, by the way, gave some worthwhile insight about the area he actually does coach and defers all Couturier questions to the head coach. But the head coach refuses to discuss it again after the game. And won't discuss it two days later when he scratches his captain again in another huge game.

YOU, pal, are not around the room. You have no contact with players or management or anyone around the team. You're a Tortorella fan, and that's fine. But don't tell me you have the slightest clue what's been going on all year. You don't.

No, I don't think Tortorella is going to be dismissed as HC or anything like that. No, I don't think he deserves no credit for things that have right overall this year. He does. But don't tell me "this well strengthen his grip" or some bullcrap like that. This did not help and was not necessary.

That's it.
- bmeltzer

👍

Another careless penalty by Frost .. this is becoming a gamely event.
- jd250

Every time you give him a compliment he ficks up….bad penalty 2-3 give a ways…please go back to focusing on his negatives. Thx.

Johnson is not a top 6 D in the NHL
- wcorvette

Not a bad depth guy though….with three regulars out.

It doesn't matter what I think. It sure as hell doesn't matter what YOU think (whoever the hell you are). it DOES matter how this went over in the room, with Tortorella barely communicating beyond "you need to be better", then scratching their captain in a must-win game, and then sending an assistant coach out to do gameday media because the HC "doesn't want to talk today" (THAT was the reason we were told, and which turned out to be true). That was weak as hell.

And if you don't think the players noticed and didn't like it -- or that the GM and the POHO didn't notice it and were A-OK with it (not the scatch decision, which is a coach's prerogative, but with someone who preaches professionalism and accountability out the wazoo demonstrating anything but those traits -- I can you that you are 100 percent wrong.


Fact: Back in November, Tortorella was asked about Couturier's very heavy ice time. He said they KNEW he had to be mindful of load management but "with the way the games have been, we have to focus first on winning."

OK, then. So Tortorella is AWARE there's a risk of Couturier hitting the wall but decides to cross that bridge when he comes to it.

Now it's early January. Couturier has played 40 games, putting up basically three points per every four games (29 to be precise) and is averaging 20:03 of ice time. So he's doing fine, team is winning, but they're still burning candle at both ends with the player.

Now it's Jan 12-13. Couturier misses two games with an injury (not his back, but something that could linger for awhile). Returns against Dallas. Has a good first game back (adrenaline?). THEN the drop-off happens, steeply and immediately.

It lasts for six weeks. Tortorella KNOWS all the backstory. Yet, reportedly, it's Tortorella's decision to name Couturier captain (which has also been insisted is acurate behind the scenes). Meanwhile, Tortorella had already taken to the crap on the players head/ damn with faint praise method he often uses.

Now it's March. Couturier has never uttered one word of complaint about being moved down in the lineup. Downplays that the mid-January injury had anything to do with his drop-off in play. Actually started playing better in three of his last four games. Healthy scratch for the first time in his NHL career. Faces the music by discussing it, admitting his frustration. That's all it was. A moment of frustration. Insisted he wouldn't rock the boat and would just keep working, which is 100 percent credible because it's what he's done, day in and day out for 13 years.

Where's the coach? Didn't "feel like" talking. Sends an assistant coach out -- who, by the way, gave some worthwhile insight about the area he actually does coach and defers all Couturier questions to the head coach. But the head coach refuses to discuss it again after the game. And won't discuss it two days later when he scratches his captain again in another huge game.

YOU, pal, are not around the room. You have no contact with players or management or anyone around the team. You're a Tortorella fan, and that's fine. But don't tell me you have the slightest clue what's been going on all year. You don't.

No, I don't think Tortorella is going to be dismissed as HC or anything like that. No, I don't think he deserves no credit for things that have right overall this year. He does. But don't tell me "this well strengthen his grip" or some bullcrap like that. This did not help and was not necessary.

That's it.
- bmeltzer

that's not accurate. he could have just taken the scratch like a man but instead he said he doesn't like how he's being treated around here? he gets paid a lot of money, he needed to put the big boy pants on and not whine but instead he made the whole situation worse imo.

that's not accurate. he could have just taken the scratch like a man but instead he said he doesn't like how he's being treated around here? he gets paid a lot of money, he needed to put the big boy pants on and not whine but instead he made the whole situation worse imo.
- anti-lame

I think most people will take Bills analysis of the situation more than yours. Myself included.

Holy Farging poope - Mic Drop
- Flyfly

He rattled Bill's cage bigtime! 🫡

He rattled Bill's cage bigtime! 🫡
- THE EVIL WITHIN

Entertainment 🫡

Johnson is not a top 6 D in the NHL
- wcorvette

Seems like a great guy. But you are spot on.

Johnson is not a top 6 D in the AHL
- wcorvette

FIXED!

I think most people will take Bills analysis of the situation more than yours. Myself included.
- Flyfly

Absolutely

I think most people will take Bills analysis of the situation more than yours. Myself included.
- Flyfly

thats fine and valid but my dad's been with the team for 25 years so I'll take his analysis over bills as well

Brink 💪

thats fine and valid but my dad's been with the team for 25 years so I'll take his analysis over bills as well
- anti-lame

Nobody believes you Black Francis.

thats fine and valid but my dad's been with the team for 25 years so I'll take his analysis over bills as well
- anti-lame

So you are black_francis.

Nobody believes you Black Francis.
- MJL

Ok MJL

Ok MJL
- anti-lame

You've just been proven to be a liar and untrustworthy.

You've just been proven to be a liar.
- MJL

if that's what you have to grasp onto then so be it.

if that's what you have to grasp onto then so be it.
- anti-lame

You were labeled and called a fool by the same blogger, who has impeccable credentials, leading to you changing your sign on name and then when called out by myself and others that you were Black Francis, you denied it. It goes to your credibility and shows that you're a fraud and you can't believe anything you post. End of story. Two birds killed with one stone by Bill.

You were labeled and called a fool by the same blogger, who has impeccable credentials, leading to you changing your sign on name and then when called out by myself and others that you were Black Francis, you denied it. It goes to your credibility and shows that you're a fraud and you can't believe anything you post. End of story. Two birds killed with one stone by Bill.
- MJL

i'm sorry there are people closer to the team than you. that's always drove you nuts, some things never change.

in reality, he has more credibility than bill since he's been around longer. you know him by name. and he seems to think it's embarrassing that someone paid by the team continues to not only make excuses for players he likes but throws other players under the bus in his blog posts in order to prove some kind of point.

the fact is Torts has coached more games than bill, you, me and any other poster here.

you're welcome to your opinions but when you speak as if the truth only rolls off your tongue and no one else's, you come across as meek and insecure. it's not a good look.

i'm sorry there are people closer to the team than you. that's always drove you nuts, some things never change.

in reality, he has more credibility than bill since he's been around longer. you know him by name. and he seems to think it's embarrassing that someone paid by the team continues to not only make excuses for players he likes but throws other players under the bus in his blog posts in order to prove some kind of point.

the fact is Torts has coached more games than bill, you, me and any other poster here.

you're welcome to your opinions but when you speak as if the truth only rolls off your tongue and no one else's, you come across as meek and insecure. it's not a good look.
- anti-lame

Someone who actually has inside info actually provides insight. Rather than just the absurd comments you make. They don't have to tell someone that they have a relative inside the organization. Their posts and opinions would carry that weight on their own. You have shown none of that. You're a complete fraud and now we can be done with this. Maybe change your screen name again.

ugh, that dont look good.

now if you want to talk hockey - Torts is trying to pull the old Mike Keenan "get the team to bond together through their anger and frustration with the coach."

Will it work? I don't have the answer. we won a game. i think the "crusty old pro" should have taken his lumps and not escalated things. is he allowed to feel frustrated? sure. but maybe if I'm Sean I wait a game before dog whistling to the media to "save him"


but some of the theories around here that Torts was mad he had to name Coots the captain so this is his way of sticking it to Danny - are you guys huffing glue? some of the bias against the coach has made these takes downright pathetic

Someone who actually has inside info actually provides insight. Rather than just the absurd comments you make. They don't have to tell someone that they have a relative inside the organization. Their posts and opinions would carry that weight on their own. You have shown none of that. You're a complete fraud and now we can be done with this. Maybe change your screen name again.
- MJL

have a good night, bud. never change.