The Flyers don't ever purposely go backwards and I'm not expecting them to change that now.
- MJL

So you're expecting Laughton not to be traded? Do expect the Flyers to try and sign Lindholm (considering Stamkos more a winger at this point) who is easily the best UFA center on the market?

Did they burn a year of Fedotov's contract?
- WhiskeyMan

did you enjoy Delauries' 8 shifts and 5:30 of TOI.....and thats with Coots only playing 3 mins......must have had your redrocket out for his 9 secs of PP time

They are behind him as long as he can play drill sergeant who browbeats his troops into fighting glory and brings fans into seats. As soon as such collapses occur, and they don't make the playoffs, he is just a drill sergeant who browbeats his troops.

And after that image takes root, he is as good as gone. My personal guess is that this will be by end of 2045-25 season latest (I agree with Landros2 that the end is in sight).
- PT21

I agree that if that situation occurred, he would be gone. However that is not close to happening now. The overwhelming majority of the Flyers fan base sees Tortorella as a savior who has lifted this team up. Flyers fans are so starved for successful hockey that they have illusions over a below .500 team. Hilferty has labeled Tortorella as the should of the Flyers and Tortorella has Jones in his back pocket. Flyers brass are going to view this season as a big success and a stepping stone. Ultimately, I hope you're correct and that the end is in sight. If he's not the coach in the near future, it's most likely going to be because Tortorella has achieved his ambition of moving upstairs.

I'm so tired of you blaming the coach everytime there is a down turn. Its lazy and most of all inaccurate. These players are professional athletes. They are not pee-wees. The Flyers have played just about the same number of games and same number of minutes of any other team in the league. But in your mind the Flyers players are tired, but other team's player are not? And the Flyers players are hurt, but other team's players are not hurt? And somehow being hurt or being tired is the fault of the coach in your mind? This is the nature of a long 82 game grind of a season. The players have played hard this season and have clearly exceeded expectations, but what we have seen these past 3 games is a team that is choking against inferior teams. This is not about fatigue, this is about players not being able to execute when the games mean something more. In the end it's all good data, and I sincerely hope Briere uses this data to make the right moves this off season. And no, one of those moves will not be to replace the coach.
- jd250

but the coach employed a 11/7 system with one of the 11 only playing 5-7 mins a game, yeah, theyre worn out and its JORTS fault

I think he was the right coach for now. But I honestly think his end is closer then some might think.
- landros 2

I reluctantly agree.

So you're expecting Laughton not to be traded? Do expect the Flyers to try and sign Lindholm (considering Stamkos more a winger at this point) who is easily the best UFA center on the market?
- Trox88

I think it's 50/50 that Laughton is traded. They view as a leader and an important player. Not sure how you got that expectation out of my post that they would sign someone like Lindholm.

This team is obviously cooked. They just played 15 games in 30 days and have been playing balls to the wall hockey since October. The fact that they had that meager effort in last night's second period with a new goalie between the pipes says it all. They simply have nothing left in the tank. Perhaps this 3 day break recharges the batteries. If not, they will be off to the golf course on April 17th. I know the Torts hate runs rampant on here, but I thought it was a smart decision to put Ivan in for the start of the second period. He had to figure that would light a fire under them, but nope.
- Phillywhiteout

really Ziggy Piggy, when I blasted JORTS for the 11/7, you had your usual emoji laden response, now you jockride

OINK OINK OINK

but the coach employed a 11/7 system with one of the 11 only playing 5-7 mins a game, yeah, their worn out and its JORTS fault
- THE BLACK HAND

Yes, this made no sense to me. The only thing I could think of was the Flyers acquired Drysdale and still wanted to showcase other defenseman ahead of the trade deadline. But even so, playing Deslauriers as one of the 11 forwards and only playing him 6 or 7 minutes was just plain stupid. Would have rather seen Lycksell or another younger player instead playing 12 or 13 minutes.

Isn't he SSB? Or is that Roenick. I get confused with all the alternate accounts on here
- TheFreak

I take no position on your squabble but since I seem to be here today as an exercise in sadomasochistic procrastination, the poster called Black Francis has on multiple occasions mentioned his father, (over years!) and that he travels with the team. I do not recall any allusions to his dad being a "high up."

He has on multiple occasions said that Bill knows his dad, provided gossipy style details (especially with regards to various factions in locker room and such sort) and often, Bill has been present on the same page when his claim of Bill knowing his dad has been made and he (Bill) has not contradicted him.

As far as being a fool etc, quite frankly, 95% of the posters here fall in that category, so if you use that as a litmus test for interaction, you will find yourself with very few to talk to.

Not implying fire sale, but similar to what we saw this past off-season, where Hayes, DeAngelo and Provorov were moved. I can see more players that Torts has labeled as having "no balls" in games like last night being moved this off-season.
- jd250

Who are the players in your view that had no balls last night? In my view, the players who came up small last night were Konecny, Frost, Tippett and Farabee. Are they going to be traded?

I agree that if that situation occurred, he would be gone. However that is not close to happening now. The overwhelming majority of the Flyers fan base sees Tortorella as a savior who has lifted this team up. Flyers fans are so starved for successful hockey that they have illusions over a below .500 team. Hilferty has labeled Tortorella as the should of the Flyers and Tortorella has Jones in his back pocket. Flyers brass are going to view this season as a big success and a stepping stone. Ultimately, I hope you're correct and that the end is in sight. If he's not the coach in the near future, it's most likely going to be because Tortorella has achieved his ambition of moving upstairs.
- MJL

Since you possess a rare genius in mistaken assessments, this should be even greater proof that the end is coming.

I agree with Landros2 and Phillyw/o. I see signs of a coach trying very hard to define the way the end of his career will be judged.

I take no position on your squabble but since I seem to be here today as an exercise in sadomasochistic procrastination, the poster called Black Francis has on multiple occasions mentioned his father, (over years!) and that he travels with the team. I do not recall any allusions to his dad being a "high up."

He has on multiple occasions said that Bill knows his dad, provided gossipy style details (especially with regards to various factions in locker room and such sort) and often, Bill has been present on the same page when his claim of Bill knowing his dad has been made and he (Bill) has not contradicted him.

As far as being a fool etc, quite frankly, 95% of the posters here fall in that category, so if you use that as a litmus test for interaction, you will find yourself with very few to talk to.
- PT21

He has numerous times told posters who offered opinions on how the team was being operated were wrong and using his inside knowledge from his relative with the team as the backdrop. Of course he was repeatedly proven wrong and the posters he said were wrong, were correct.
He has never offered any detail that was not public knowledge to give any hint of actually having inside information.
95% of the posters on here don't fall into the category of being directly labeled a fool by Bill Meltzer. What does that do to your insinuation of a lack of denial from Bill being an indication that the relationship was legit?
He is a proven fool with zero credibility.

I think it's 50/50 that Laughton is traded. They view as a leader and an important player. Not sure how you got that expectation out of my post that they would sign someone like Lindholm.
- MJL

I was referencing the Flyers do not purposely go backwards. So if that is the case, the Flyers only try to maintain status quo or move forward. We have certainly seen past Flyers GMs use free agency to supplement the roster- often dedicating significant salary cap tied with term. So far, Briere has dabbled in free agency, but has not dedicated significant cap hit tied to term. My question about Lindholm was related to your opinion whether this is the summer which Briere tries to change the roster by signing a significant free agent with term- arguably Lindholm is the best UFA at a position of need for the team.

I do think Briere has very much be in rebuild mode since the start. Now, I would agree with anyone wishing more would already be done. However, Briere to this point has not boxed himself into a corner with any of moves. So far, he has taken on 9 million in cap with term left to acquire 2 1st rdrs. I know we'll never know, but I'm assuming the Flyers would have gotten draft compensation for the proposed Krug for Sanheim trade. I feel we will learn a lot more this summer- better or worse. He has a good amount of tradeable assets playing in the NHL that with the success of the season make it more possible to make trades happen.
- Trox88

100% agree. This draft time will be very telling. Maybe beginning free agency latest. That’s why I root for collapse. To help them decide if they are debating where they’re at.

The walker trade was a nothing burger indicating future plans. Any dead brain knows he had to be moved. Was hoping at least something of significance else would’ve been done. It wasn’t. In fact the opposite with seeler extension. Hopefully that’s all for going that way

The season is about to spin into the darkness and I know very little about the folks here. So, when I read their thoughts, I have no idea where they come from.
So I wrote this as an ice-breaker.
It's tough to be part of this community if you only know this visceral, feral mound of emotionally driven discourse as defining a person.



I have received some praise for my writing. No awards,
When I wrote for a National County Veteran's house organ, an attorney in my office was also doing the same. His articles were replete with lots of legalese, citations, etc.
Since our efforts were to assist Service Officers in understanding the USDVA claims system and its pertinent rules, his legal training imposed itself on his scribings.
My office attorney asked how I could make my absolutely correct instructions fun, while his bored. I didn't tell him that is WHO we are.
As my Environmental Law Prof conceded (My first ex denying his proposal of WALKING ME INTO PENN LAW.) my 33 pages of analysis with 550+ citations was the BEST paper he ever read, anywhere and that prompted this offer.
I wrote a life-style piece for a magazine when I was literally starving.
The editors and advertiser liked it. I was offered added work but I am both lazy and a procrastinator. I have been since I got glasses.
I wanted to be an astronaut---seriously.
So yeah, net profit on this slight talent was zero.

I did learn that most people struggle with words. If you are not amusing they drift in their focus. They may have interest but committing to a study session...not so much.
The thing with me is I do this automatically. I'm more of an amusing narrator than a punch-line guy and I write as I speak.
My ex-mil asked my then wife If I was trying to intimidate with my vocabulary,
'Nah. He always talks like that."

So that's one of my aspects. I chose a flattering one. I have others and you will NEVER hear of them.
So now pull back that trench coat and expose yourselves. This may be the fun we have been missing.
- Pompous

He has numerous times told posters who offered opinions on how the team was being operated were wrong and using his inside knowledge from his relative with the team as the backdrop. Of course he was repeatedly proven wrong and the posters he said were wrong, were correct.
- MJL

You mean like you, with the bolded part deleted?

Since you possess a rare genius in mistaken assessments, this should be even greater proof that the end is coming.

I agree with Landros2 and Phillyw/o. I see signs of a coach trying very hard to define the way the end of his career will be judged.
- PT21

You're free to provide the proof of such mistaken assessments. Lucky for me there is a public record which shows your comment to be nothing but fantasy.


Tortorella is simply being Tortorella and doing what he has always done. He is currently well entrenched in the Flyers organization. In many ways calling the shots.

Who are the players in your view that had no balls last night? In my view, the players who came up small last night were Konecny, Frost, Tippett and Farabee. Are they going to be traded?
- MJL

Wow, I'm impressed. You actually shared your opinion. In the end I don't disagree, but as I posted earlier I think Farabee is at the top of the list.

You mean like you, with the bolded part deleted?
- PT21

I'm here every day PT. You're free at any time to confront me and prove me wrong. You haven't been able to do it so far. Nothing I need to be concerned about.

They are behind him as long as he can play drill sergeant who browbeats his troops into fighting glory and brings fans into seats. As soon as such collapses occur, and they don't make the playoffs, he is just a drill sergeant who browbeats his troops.

And after that image takes root, he is as good as gone. My personal guess is that this will be by end of 2045-25 season latest (I agree with Landros2 that the end is in sight).
- PT21

Nah, Torts was brought in to win back and entertain the fans. His post-game pressers after losses are must see TV. His meltdowns drive a ton of engagement on social media. Comcast couldn't be happier with him.

Wins/playoffs are just gravy.

EMBEAST IS BACK

I'm here every day PT. You're free at any time to confront me and prove me wrong. You haven't been able to do it so far. Nothing I need to be concerned about.

- MJL

You are kidding!

I was referencing the Flyers do not purposely go backwards. So if that is the case, the Flyers only try to maintain status quo or move forward. We have certainly seen past Flyers GMs use free agency to supplement the roster- often dedicating significant salary cap tied with term. So far, Briere has dabbled in free agency, but has not dedicated significant cap hit tied to term. My question about Lindholm was related to your opinion whether this is the summer which Briere tries to change the roster by signing a significant free agent with term- arguably Lindholm is the best UFA at a position of need for the team.
- Trox88

Here is the key. If the Flyers were seriously rebuilding. They would explore and see what kind of return they could get on the best trade able non prospect asset they have. That's Konecny. This team needs elite talent. I don't know that the Flyers are going to try and sign a top UFA but I will guarantee they look to improve the team somehow rather than just sitting back and drafting.

Nah, Torts was brought in to win back and entertain the fans. His post-game pressers after losses are must see TV. His meltdowns drive a ton of engagement on social media. Comcast couldn't be happier with him.

Wins/playoffs are just gravy.
- Tomahawk

The stage for the entertainment is the success of the team. If he keeps throwing hussy fits and the team loses, it's over Johnny.

The fans might be bad. They are not that bad.

100% agree. This draft time will be very telling. Maybe beginning free agency latest. That’s why I root for collapse. To help them decide if they are debating where they’re at.

The walker trade was a nothing burger indicating future plans. Any dead brain knows he had to be moved. Was hoping at least something of significance else would’ve been done. It wasn’t. In fact the opposite with seeler extension. Hopefully that’s all for going that way
- Stayin alive

I agree with you on the Seeler extension. In fairness, no issue with the Poehling and Tippett extension. We all know the big decision that looms this summer is TK. It makes no sense to wait till the deadline to move him. Briere won't get better assets waiting till the deadline. I have held the belief that both TK and Farabee will not be on the roster next summer. Just not sure which one will go.