https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7JCwM5Nx1Y

Start the 5:30 mark is head Torts explain the difference in play between last year and this year and why. This should put to rest the false narrative that Torts is an archaic coach that only wants his teams to collapse around the net and block shots.

https://www.thefourthperiod.com/nov-2023/capitals-tried-to-move-mantha-again

Separate sources have also told TFP the Capitals spoke with the Philadelphia Flyers and San Jose Sharks about Mantha, but the added sweetener to take on Mantha’s contract was not believed to be high enough to entice either team.
- hello it's me 2050

If the Flyers can get the proper additional assets to take on the contract I am fine with it. He only has one year left. I think the Flyers could do it if LTIR is maximized.

The Flyers could also move another player to create space.

I hope you are right. But the Eagles wins this year are different than the ones last year. And there are predictable deficiencies and you see those are common knowledge among their opponents.

Generally, when a team wins a number of these really close games filled with mistakes and wild ups and downs (in any sports), it is predictive of a forthcoming string of results that will go the opposite way.

Again, would be delighted to be wrong.
- PT21

For the Eagles it has become commonplace over 26 games that they find a way to win. They finish close games in the 4th quarter and they finish those games in multiple ways. I am confident in saying the Eagles will make the "plays" to win games more often than not. That's what separates them from the Cowboys.

LOL. Again, you said nobody is gonna know until it happens. Now you're back to apparently knowing saying Leonard is more of a sure thing. Doubling down on the contradiction. No one knows about Michkov but you know about Leonard. Make up your mind. The contradictions are piling up.
- MJL

said he thinks,, his opinion.

No one is gonna know until it happens. I'm not disputing that Michkov is more of a higher end talent, but I'm an impatient SOB! Leonard will be in the NHL next season while we will be waiting to see if Michkov ever dons a Flyers uni. I know this subject has been beaten to death and I'm not trying to open up that can of worms. I would just like to see Gauthier and Leonard playing for the Flyers next year. I also think Leonard's game would translate well come playoff time.

Oil lose again! Many of the pundits had them coming out of the west this year. They looked bad when they played here in Philly and look like they are still in a serious funk. Even McDavid isn't scoring. What's up with that?
- Phillywhiteout

You can only draft at the time based on who you think has the higher ceiling. Clearly Michkov has the higher ceiling. But then you have to look at other factors, like will the player actually play on my team. The Flyers felt comfortable that Michkov will eventually get over here and when he does the Flyers will be a team ready to get to the next step, and to assimilate him into the culture they are currently building. Look, last year was a deep draft and there will be many 1st round picks doing very good things for their respective teams in the coming years. Leonard will certainly be one of those players based on what I have seen so far. But in the end, if Michkov does get here and he is as or even more dynamic than say, Karill Kaprizov, I don't think any of us will care.

In Edmonton, I think the coach will be fired soon ... rinse and repeat.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7JCwM5Nx1Y

Start the 5:30 mark is head Torts explain the difference in play between last year and this year and why. This should put to rest the false narrative that Torts is an archaic coach that only wants his teams to collapse around the net and block shots.
- jd250

Tortorella is an archaic coach who hasn't done anything as a coach his last 16 seasons as an NHL coach. The team has lost 5 out of its last 7 games. The difference was on display the last game against the Kings. The Flyers have a couple of games against pansies coming up, they've already lost once to Anaheim. After that, the rest of the schedule in November is difficult. I can see 6-8 losses piling up. As NHL teams get more cohesiveness and start to gel as we get further into the season. The disparity in not only talent but also in team structure, puck movement and strategy will become more apparent.

You can hang on every word that Tortorella says and worship him as a deity. There is plenty of evidence that Tortorella's statements don't mean much.

You can only draft at the time based on who you think has the higher ceiling. Clearly Michkov has the higher ceiling. But then you have to look at other factors, like will the player actually play on my team. The Flyers felt comfortable that Michkov will eventually get over here and when he does the Flyers will be a team ready to get to the next step, and to assimilate him into the culture they are currently building. Look, last year was a deep draft and there will be many 1st round picks doing very good things for their respective teams in the coming years. Leonard will certainly be one of those players based on what I have seen so far. But in the end, if Michkov does get here and he is as or even more dynamic than say, Karill Kaprizov, I don't think any of us will care.

In Edmonton, I think the coach will be fired soon ... rinse and repeat.
- jd250

You hope they are ready to take the next step. What culture are they builidng?

So what do you do with the coach/co-GM? Do you look to extend him in a year? Let the contract run out? Fire him at some point?

If they let it run out how much say will the coach/co-GM have in his replacement?

Tortorella is an archaic coach who hasn't done anything as a coach his last 16 seasons as an NHL coach. The team has lost 5 out of its last7 games. The difference was on display the last game against the Kings. The Flyers have a couple of games against pansies coming up, they've already lost once to Anaheim. After that, the rest of the schedule in November is difficult. I can see 6-8 losses piling up. As NHL teams get more cohesiveness and start to gel as we get further into the season. The disparity in not only talent but also in team structure, puck movement and strategy will become more apparent.

You can hang on every word that Tortorella says and worship him as a deity. There is plenty of evidence that Tortorella's statements don't mean much.
- MJL

Wins and losses aside, the Flyers have been consistently creating more scoring chances than their opponents, in some games 2 to 1. The Flyers are also possessing the puck much more. These facts tell me the team structure, puck movement and strategy are sound. The problem in most of these recent loses has been the lack of quality goaltending and the inability to finish. This directly points to disparity in talent. The evidence is clearly there for anyone with an open mind, but as Taylor says, haters gonna hate.

Again, simple points seem to fly right over your head or you lack comprehension skills. I wanted them to draft Leonard cause I think it's more of a sure thing, and he could be here as soon as the end of this season and certainly next year. I'm impatient and have made that quite clear! This is why I wanted the Flyers to draft him! Will Michkov be worth the wait? No one knows. I just hope he makes it over here.
- Phillywhiteout

What's the rush to get a 2023 draft prospect into our lineup for next season? It's not like Leonard is lighting it up this season. He has 7 points in 8 games in his draft +1 season on a stacked team.

You hope they are ready to take the next step. What culture are they builidng?

So what do you do with the coach/co-GM? Do you look to extend him in a year? Let the contract run out? Fire him at some point?

If they let it run out how much say will the coach/co-GM have in his replacement?
- hello it's me 2050

The Flyers are trying to build a culture of a hard working team that plays the right way and expects to win each and every night. Look at the Bruins as an example. They have a winning culture based on 200 foot play and sound defensive structure, and players come into their system and thrive. This year for example, the Bruins have two rookie 2nd round picks playing big minutes for them, one at center and the other on defense. I have no doubt these young players are thriving because of the culture and standard that has been built over the past 15 years, that the thug Marchand is carrying forward as captain of the team.

Wins and losses aside, the Flyers have been consistently creating more scoring chances than their opponents, in some games 2 to 1. The Flyers are also possessing the puck much more. These facts tell me the team structure, puck movement and strategy are sound. The problem in most of these recent loses has been the lack of quality goaltending and the inability to finish. This directly points to disparity in talent. The evidence is clearly there for anyone with an open mind, but as Taylor says, haters gonna hate.
- jd250

You're falling into the early season hockey trap. When teams aren't fully up to speed yet. The reality was on display against the Kings. Let's see what happens over a large sample size of games further into the season. I see some improvement in the Flyers puck pressure and puck support. However the Flyers are still behind the 8 ball in terms of overall strategy. In breakouts, regroups, offensive structure and strategy. When Hart has been in, they've received strong goaltending. I've referenced the talent disparity numerous times in posts, including earlier today.

You called me a hater when we had our debates on Fletcher also. We know how that turned out.

The Flyers are trying to build a culture of a hard working team that plays the right way and expects to win each and every night. Look at the Bruins as an example. They have a winning culture based on 200 foot play and sound defensive structure, and players come into their system and thrive. This year for example, the Bruins have two rookie 2nd round picks playing big minutes for them, one at center and the other on defense. I have no doubt these young players are thriving because of the culture and standard that has been built over the past 15 years, that the thug Marchand is carrying forward as captain of the team.
- jd250

That's the Flyers talking and selling point that you're buying into. Having a team that is hard working, 200 foot play is the only bullet in Tortorella's gun. He has nothing else in terms of strategy, structure and systems play. It's why Tortorella hasn't done anything as an NHL coach is almost 20 years. He's a plow horse when you need a thoroughbred in today's NHL

You're falling into the early season hockey trap. When teams aren't fully up to speed yet. The reality was on display against the Kings. Let's see what happens over a large sample size of games further into the season. I see some improvement in the Flyers puck pressure and puck support. However the Flyers are still behind the 8 ball in terms of overall strategy. In breakouts, regroups, offensive structure and strategy. When Hart has been in, they've received strong goaltending. I've referenced the talent disparity numerous times in posts, including earlier today.

You called me a hater when we had our debates on Fletcher also. We know how that turned out.
- MJL

I agree here. The cream will rise. The Kings game is definitely more indicative of where the Flyers are in the heirarchy of the NHL.

You're falling into the early season hockey trap. When teams aren't fully up to speed yet. The reality was on display against the Kings. Let's see what happens over a large sample size of games further into the season. I see some improvement in the Flyers puck pressure and puck support. However the Flyers are still behind the 8 ball in terms of overall strategy. In breakouts, regroups, offensive structure and strategy. When Hart has been in, they've received strong goaltending. I've referenced the talent disparity numerous times in posts, including earlier today.

You called me a hater when we had our debates on Fletcher also. We know how that turned out.
- MJL

I agree here. The cream will rise. The Kings game is definitely more indicative of where the Flyers are in the heirarchy of the NHL.

Wins and losses aside, the Flyers have been consistently creating more scoring chances than their opponents, in some games 2 to 1. The Flyers are also possessing the puck much more. These facts tell me the team structure, puck movement and strategy are sound. The problem in most of these recent loses has been the lack of quality goaltending and the inability to finish. This directly points to disparity in talent. The evidence is clearly there for anyone with an open mind, but as Taylor says, haters gonna hate.
- jd250

For a coach that hasn’t done “anything” in 16 years there was that Jack Adam’s award for coach of the year in 2017.

The Flyers have had two clunkers, but have played pretty good considering their talent level in every other game. Last years fast start was basically due to Carter Hart standing on his head…it hasn’t been the same this year. There are some personnel decisions I’m not in love with, but I also like that he has stuck with York, Foerster and Brink even though there have been some ups and downs.
You can have all the talent in the world….see Edmonton, Calgary, Ottawa….but unless guys are buying in to the coaches message you are not going to be successful. So far guys are buying in to Torts.

John Tortorella coached teams have been past the 2nd round of the playoffs once in his last 16 years or so of coaching. I'm more interested in team accomplishment rather than individual accomplishement.

You're falling into the early season hockey trap. When teams aren't fully up to speed yet. The reality was on display against the Kings. Let's see what happens over a large sample size of games further into the season. I see some improvement in the Flyers puck pressure and puck support. However the Flyers are still behind the 8 ball in terms of overall strategy. In breakouts, regroups, offensive structure and strategy. When Hart has been in, they've received strong goaltending. I've referenced the talent disparity numerous times in posts, including earlier today.

You called me a hater when we had our debates on Fletcher also. We know how that turned out.
- MJL

It's different this time .. at least I hope it is. It feels and looks different to me anyway. I don't worship Torts, but I do believe he is doing a good job with the group he has. A coach can teach a break-out scheme to his team, but in the end it's the players that have to make the right decisions with the puck consistently, and do so in a hurry given the speed of the game. It's clear the Flyers don't have defenseman that make the best decisions with the puck, but the team still is playing much better than they were last season, their breakouts a much, much cleaner. The forwards coming back and not trying to push up ice too soon is certainly helping. I don't buy the early season trap thing. Teams are ready to go in the NHL. Look at the Bruins, Devils and Rangers as examples, were they ready to go from the opening puck drop?

For a coach that hasn’t done “anything” in 16 years there was that Jack Adam’s award for coach of the year in 2017.

The Flyers have had two clunkers, but have played pretty good considering their talent level in every other game. Last years fast start was basically due to Carter Hart standing on his head…it hasn’t been the same this year. There are some personnel decisions I’m not in love with, but I also like that he has stuck with York, Foerster and Brink even though there have been some ups and downs.
You can have all the talent in the world….see Edmonton, Calgary, Ottawa….but unless guys are buying in to the coaches message you are not going to be successful. So far guys are buying in to Torts.
- landros 2

I think players will buy into what the coach is teaching them (in the end every hockey coach teaches the same things for the most part) as long as that coach has strong backing from the organization. As soon as cracks appear, the players sense it and rebel, eventually pushing the coach out. So far Torts has strong backing from the organization, thus as long as that continues players will be in or they will be gone not matter what the cost. See Hayes and DeAngelo as examples.

Weird now coaching success only depends on playoffs? Last year some spouted off all year that Jim Montgomery should have been the Flyers coach…guy had a historic “regular” season. I guess now he’s not a good coach because of the Bruins early exit in the playoffs. Be tough to find decent coach’s with some posters criteria. Weird.

For the Eagles it has become commonplace over 26 games that they find a way to win. They finish close games in the 4th quarter and they finish those games in multiple ways. I am confident in saying the Eagles will make the "plays" to win games more often than not. That's what separates them from the Cowboys.
- mickel25

I agree they will win more games than not. I also believe they are fundamentally a better team than Dallas. 😏

My standard was not either of those 2. It was simply: is this looking like a Superbowl team?

I think players will buy into what the coach is teaching them (in the end every hockey coach teaches the same things for the most part) as long as that coach has strong backing from the organization. As soon as cracks appear, the players sense it and rebel, eventually pushing the coach out. So far Torts has strong backing from the organization, thus as long as that continues players will be in or they will be gone not matter what the cost. See Hayes and DeAngelo as examples.
- jd250

So far Torts has guys buying in this year. Last year some didn’t and they are gone. 3 highly paid guys. Are we worse? No we are not. Why? Because guys are playing to the system. No elite talent , but the Flyers do have some really good players. Torts and his staff deserve credit for that at least.

I agree they will win more games than not. I also believe they are fundamentally a better team than Dallas. 😏

My standard was not either of those 2. It was simply: is this looking like a Superbowl team?
- PT21

Obviously you are spot on when comparing this years team to last. But we have a 1/2 season to come together. One thing is for certain. The Roster is ultra talented.

It's different this time .. at least I hope it is. It feels and looks different to me anyway. I don't worship Torts, but I do believe he is doing a good job with the group he has. A coach can teach a break-out scheme to his team, but in the end it's the players that have to make the right decisions with the puck consistently, and do so in a hurry given the speed of the game. It's clear the Flyers don't have defenseman that make the best decisions with the puck, but the team still is playing much better than they were last season, their breakouts a much, much cleaner. The forwards coming back and not trying to push up ice too soon is certainly helping. I don't buy the early season trap thing. Teams are ready to go in the NHL. Look at the Bruins, Devils and Rangers as examples, were they ready to go from the opening puck drop?
- jd250

When you see a team play the same way game after game. They're playing the way the coach is instructing them to play in terms of structure. Have the Flyers played all of those teams yet? You'll find out eventually.

So far Torts has guys buying in this year. Last year some didn’t and they are gone. 3 highly paid guys. Are we worse? No we are not. Why? Because guys are playing to the system. No elite talent , but the Flyers do have some really good players. Torts and his staff deserve credit for that at least.
- landros 2

then there is this from the A

Tortorella agrees.

“I like the way the schedule has worked out for us,” he said. “They’ve had some fun, they’ve done a lot of things together. Sometimes that’s more important, being out having a beer together than practicing. I think they’ve handled themselves well that way.”

I agree they will win more games than not. I also believe they are fundamentally a better team than Dallas. 😏

My standard was not either of those 2. It was simply: is this looking like a Superbowl team?
- PT21

Yes because at this point in time. Who is better?