But win what? Games? A cup?

It does matter. Seems like you and most of the twitter fans are just happy to win some games and have a chance at the playoffs without there being any real chance to win a championship.

I am a LOT older than you and I am tired of this. I've sat through enough seasons of this team having no idea how to build a winner. Under Clarke and Holmgren they were always trying to win last years cup. Under Hextall and Fletcher they couldn't decide whether to go all in or rebuild so they did neither.

Same thing now with this regime. They say they are rebuilding but it is the same half in half out BS that has gone on for the last 25 years. Trading one player who has been here half a season on an expiring contract is not a rebuild.

It sickens me how fans are watching this team and buying all Torts' bullpoop about standard and culture and playing the "Philly" way. I guess the Philly way is to be a declining cesspool whose best days are far in the past and continues to shrink into irrelevance because all the talented people are leaving. That is what Philadelphia is now.

Its same old same old.
- MBFlyerfan

Can definitely see why the frustration. Context helps a little, sure fans excited about winning, let’s says they make the playoffs this and next season. Fans still excited? Yes. Let’s say they lose first round both times, fans now screaming for change? Yes. Point being, for fans, winning is just not getting in, it’s winning in the playoffs. Let the fans enjoy this season and see where it goes. I am relatively happy with the number of picks they have, happy they are going for a playoff spot but I want the off-season to reflect a team who has a long way to go. Move Laughton and move TK. For Laughton take the first. For TK, it should be a deal the flyers win, if that is not out there and they sign him to a team friendly contract, I’ll live with it, but all else needs to say load up on young talent.

I guess it depends on the definition of winning. Winning games or winning cups? Right now the team has won half its games and has no shot to win a cup and people are riding Torts Richard like it’s made of gold. If it is that easy for the franchise to satisfy the fanbase then all hope is lost lol.
- MBFlyerfan

Winning is in context of expectations. Next year, the expectations will be higher.

Your reply here is way off base. His argument is completely relevant because it addresses the mindset and approach of the team that is going to be a hindrance to getting to the point of being a cup contender. To say it is irrelevant is ignorant. Getting to the cup is a journey. Tortorella's time frame is part of that journey. It's a question of if they're on the right path.
- MJL

Torts coaches the team, his job is to win games. Management needs to create the path towards that goal and it’s years and years away.

Winning is in context of expectations. Next year, the expectations will be higher.
- coffee junkie

I don’t see expectations being more than a bubble team again. Goaltending is a mess, we have no key players ready to step in. It will be more of the same. Most folks will probably have them taking a step back, especially considering how poorly these teams like New Jersey and Detroit have performed

Can definitely see why the frustration. Context helps a little, sure fans excited about winning, let’s says they make the playoffs this and next season. Fans still excited? Yes. Let’s say they lose first round both times, fans now screaming for change? Yes. Point being, for fans, winning is just not getting in, it’s winning in the playoffs. Let the fans enjoy this season and see where it goes. I am relatively happy with the number of picks they have, happy they are going for a playoff spot but I want the off-season to reflect a team who has a long way to go. Move Laughton and move TK. For Laughton take the first. For TK, it should be a deal the flyers win, if that is not out there and they sign him to a team friendly contract, I’ll live with it, but all else needs to say load up on young talent.
- wcorvette

I agree completely that both of those potential moves are barometers of how this team is going to proceed. I'm of the opinion that there is no doubt that they're going to re-sign Konecny and they view Laughton as part of the leadership backbone of the team and brings those intangibles that while important. They so over value.

Torts coaches the team, his job is to win games. Management needs to create the path towards that goal and it’s years and years away.
- ClaudeFather

That's the problem. You don't grasp the dynamic of this team. You're trying to separate the coach from management. That doesn't exist. Tortorella is management and he has the highest level of influence towards how this team will operate. He is driving the bus. That influence is going to weaken their chances in getting there in my opinion.

That's the problem. You don't grasp the dynamic of this team. You're trying to separate the coach from management. That doesn't exist. Tortorella is management and he has the highest level of influence towards how this team will operate. He is driving the bus. That influence is going to weaken their chances in getting there in my opinion.
- MJL

Did he trade Walker? Did he extend Seeler? His opinion is obviously valued more than most coaches but people made a fuss about him being at odds with a group of players that left in the off season, Provy and Hayes, good riddance. He’s not drafting players, that’s where this team gets better. His influence means nothing on draft day.

Did he trade Walker? Did he extend Seeler? His opinion is obviously valued more than most coaches but people made a fuss about him being at odds with a group of players that left in the off season, Provy and Hayes, good riddance. He’s not drafting players, that’s where this team gets better. His influence means nothing on draft day.
- ClaudeFather

You're completely wrong. This is not a normal set up. This is a triumvirate. He is influencing how the team is going to be built and how it is going to play. Tortorella has Jones and Hilferty in his back pocket and at this point in time, wields a high level of power. Moreso than Briere.

Did he trade Walker? Did he extend Seeler? His opinion is obviously valued more than most coaches but people made a fuss about him being at odds with a group of players that left in the off season, Provy and Hayes, good riddance. He’s not drafting players, that’s where this team gets better. His influence means nothing on draft day.
- ClaudeFather

Do you honestly think he nothing to do with Seeler being extended rather than dealt? Or Laughton not being dealt last year?

Yeah, he doesn’t involve himself in the draft, mainly because he doesn’t care to take the time to learn the slightest thing about the prospect pool. But don’t kid yourself, if he decided to involve himself in the draft, he would have significant say.

Torts has this organization wrapped around his fingers.

You're completely wrong. This is not a normal set up. This is a triumvirate. He is influencing how the team is going to be built and how it is going to play. Tortorella has Jones and Hilferty in his back pocket and at this point in time, wields a high level of power. Moreso than Briere.
- MJL

His fingerprints are all over that Michkov pick

Do you honestly think he nothing to do with Seeler being extended rather than dealt? Or Laughton not being dealt last year?

Yeah, he doesn’t involve himself in the draft, mainly because he doesn’t care to take the time to learn the slightest thing about the prospect pool. But don’t kid yourself, if he decided to involve himself in the draft, he would have significant say.

Torts has this organization wrapped around his fingers.
- BiggE

What were the offers for Laughton? Do you actually know? Seeler is valued by the team and the coach, he still didn’t extend him. Nothing to do with the draft, he’s the coach. This is what he is for all you people, you sit here and get to blame him for everything when the organization is severely lacking in talent everywhere. I don’t care for him in the slightest but this team is getting better through the draft. His additional influence right now has almost nothing to do with the team getting towards winning a cup

His fingerprints are all over that Michkov pick
- ClaudeFather

His fingerprints are going to be all over how a young player like Michkov is handled and how he is developed if he is still here when Michkov comes over. His fingerprints are all over the development of young players who are here now. The draft is just the selection. Easy to argue that development is a huge part of that.

His fingerprints are going to be all over how a young player like Michkov is handled and how he is developed if he is still here when Michkov comes over. His fingerprints are all over the development of young players who are here now. The draft is just the selection. Easy to argue that development is a huge part of that.
- MJL

Plenty of young players excelling Cliff, York, your boy frost, Tipp, Foerester

What were the offers for Laughton? Do you actually know? Seeler is valued by the team and the coach, he still didn’t extend him. Nothing to do with the draft, he’s the coach. This is what he is for all you people, you sit here and get to blame him for everything when the organization is severely lacking in talent everywhere. I don’t care for him in the slightest but this team is getting better through the draft. His additional influence right now has almost nothing to do with the team getting towards winning a cup
- ClaudeFather

That's completely wrong. He has the biggest influence on the team. It's impossible for the biggest influence to have nothing to do with the team getting towards winning a cup. In my opinion, he is going to hurt them from getting towards winning a cup.

What were the offers for Laughton? Do you actually know? Seeler is valued by the team and the coach, he still didn’t extend him. Nothing to do with the draft, he’s the coach. This is what he is for all you people, you sit here and get to blame him for everything when the organization is severely lacking in talent everywhere. I don’t care for him in the slightest but this team is getting better through the draft. His additional influence right now has almost nothing to do with the team getting towards winning a cup
- ClaudeFather

Numerous sources claim the offer for Laughton was at least a late first. It’s a deal that needed to be made. Seeler is an eminently replaceable player that a team in the Flyers position shouldn’t have even considered extending, especially for four years.

Either Torts is influencing these decisions or Briere is incompetent. Either way, it’s not good.

Plenty of young players excelling Cliff, York, your boy frost, Tipp, Foerester
- ClaudeFather

Frost has been hurt but Tortorella and would be further along as a player if not for Tortorella's mistreatment. He hurt York last year by sending him down, not based on his play, but based on his personality. Tortorella all but confirmed that in a recent podcast. He has hurt Cates by jerking him around. All Tippett and Foerster needed like most players, is consistent playing time. Tortorella is not consistent with that. He has hurt Brink and Zamula by jerking them in and out of the lineup. Tortorella is not good with young player development.

Numerous sources claim the offer for Laughton was at least a late first. It’s a deal that needed to be made. Seeler is an eminently replaceable player that a team in the Flyers position shouldn’t have even considered extending, especially for four years.

Either Torts is influencing these decisions or Briere is incompetent. Either way, it’s not good.
- BiggE

Seeler extension is fine, one year too many imo. Team has 4 first round picks in the next two years, maybe more considering the off season. DB has made some good moves and some not so great but he’s been fine . Draft is what matters for this team. You and Cliff have your panties in a bunch about things that aren’t a big deal, scratching his frost.

Seeler extension is fine, one year too many imo. Team has 4 first round picks in the next two years, maybe more considering the off season. DB has made some good moves and some not so great but he’s been fine . Draft is what matters for this team. You and Cliff have your panties in a bunch about things that aren’t a big deal, scratching his frost.
- ClaudeFather

Scratching the team’s captain, something that almost never happens in the NHL, is a big deal. Especially when the coach pours gas on the fire by ducking the accountability that he loves to demand of everyone else.

It’s even worse when sitting Couturier causes Cates to move to center where he’s wholly ineffective, and keeps an utterly useless punching bag in the lineup.

And please, don’t worry yourself, I’m not losing a moment’s sleep over Torts or the Flyers.

Scratching the team’s captain, something that almost never happens in the NHL, is a big deal. Especially when the coach pours gas on the fire by ducking the accountability that he loves to demand of everyone else.

It’s even worse when sitting Couturier causes Cates to move to center where he’s wholly ineffective, and keeps an utterly useless punching bag in the lineup.

And please, don’t worry yourself, I’m not losing a moment’s sleep over Torts or the Flyers.
- BiggE

I don’t agree with it either, but it’s not preventing the team from achieving a cup. You clearly are

I don’t agree with it either, but it’s not preventing the team from achieving a cup. You clearly are
- ClaudeFather

You know, I try not to make things personal, it’s not worth it. But you do you.

You know, I try not to make things personal, it’s not worth it. But you do you.
- BiggE

Enjoy the day, let’s hope it’s not another early afternoon Boston route

Part of a coach's responsibility is to speak to the media. It's OK to send an assistant in his place, but to do it pregame on the same day you scratch your captain before a vital game, do it again after the next game when he's scratched again and to refuse to answer any questions in the one postgame and the one pregame you do consent to do... well, it's not a good look. Especially when accountability and professionalism are central things the coach preaches.

"Torts doesn't want to talk today" is not a legitimate reason. A follow-up doc appointment from his recent hand surgery would have been 100 percent legit, even if the timing wasn't great. I will say that both Rocky (pregame on Tuesday) and Shaw (postgame on Thursday) made their media sessions worthwhile.

Fatal to Tortorella? No. That's an exaggeration. But it IS something that, done repeatedly, erodes respect.
- bmeltzer

or... as media you want to ask repetitive annoying questions hoping to get your next Torts soundbite.

Will this Couturier situation lead to an inevitable trade? Can't see much of a market without the Flyers retaining a decent chunk. Even then would a team really be willing to roll the dice with 6 years left?

Frost has been hurt but Tortorella and would be further along as a player if not for Tortorella's mistreatment. He hurt York last year by sending him down, not based on his play, but based on his personality. Tortorella all but confirmed that in a recent podcast. He has hurt Cates by jerking him around. All Tippett and Foerster needed like most players, is consistent playing time. Tortorella is not consistent with that. He has hurt Brink and Zamula by jerking them in and out of the lineup. Tortorella is not good with young player development.
- MJL

good god you are incorrect so often

Frost has been hurt but Tortorella and would be further along as a player if not for Tortorella's mistreatment. He hurt York last year by sending him down, not based on his play, but based on his personality. Tortorella all but confirmed that in a recent podcast. He has hurt Cates by jerking him around. All Tippett and Foerster needed like most players, is consistent playing time. Tortorella is not consistent with that. He has hurt Brink and Zamula by jerking them in and out of the lineup. Tortorella is not good with young player development.
- MJL

Totally disagree with this sentiment, but you probably already knew that! Yikes!!