Mad Dog

Similar thoughts were going through my mind: how can you have Laughton and Poehling on the ice at such a critical point of the game...

Well, all things considered, this was still a good season.... much better than most of us anticipated. And it will be an interesting off-season.

How much cap space do you currently have as is?

From the outsider's point of view, I think the most glaring need for you guys is to find a star center to play with Kaprizov. He can't do it all (nobody can); he is not a superhuman. You tried Hartmann and Joel Eriksson so far, and the results were less than impressive. Both are nice, fine players, but you need Mark Scheifele or Dylan Larkin type player - not necessarily a superstar, but a consistent point-per-game center. I really think that's what should be Guerin's priority this summer.

I don't disagree with any of that. But the concern was - and maybe even still is - what if the players in fact did quit on him? Than it's an unresolvable situation either way. And Torts did have it in his coaching career, probably more often than not - that he did in fact lose the locker room. But I guess the fact the Flyers announced he is here to stay clears that once for all. I can't imagine they would make that announcement if there was even a shred of a doubt.

And here we have it. Torts stays. https://fanrecap.com/confirmed-tortorella-remains-flyers-head-coach-amid-rumors/?utm_source=philadelphia-flyers&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=nhl-mk&fbclid=IwAR3ykchUFgbrbCoS_2v2JQkwVBKXqKc6Q5FnOQpTwnIbDVNVCCMcqgdwVNg_aem_AWQMYj7Z6QsZd0wyNUvwV74WToKEuKJaD7s_qKJU_3R4KCLYXTwzexWXUdoXmssgVpn7uqekqSDOGk-Y07hXIvZT

Obviously. But I would pay money to find out *why* they collapsed at the end. If what we are witnessing is just a normal burn-out, taking into consideration the age and inexperience of the group, coupled with the fact they wee overachieving all season long, I am OK with them collapsing. After all, this is what a true rebuild is supposed to feel like. Problem is, this is the theory that is tempting to believe in. But I am afraid there is more to it. My fear is they decided to quit on Torts. And if that's the case, I just can't see him coming back.

Agreed. That Montreal game was just a disaster, no matter from what angle you look at it. The team was unrecognizable. It's almost like they didn't want to have anything to do with even being on the ice in that game.

Very possible. And Coots didn't take it lightly and spoke up, saying something like he didn't appreciate how he was treated. I just feel like there is no cohesion on the ice anymore, and one has to wonder if it translated to the locker room, as well.... or vise versa. The team just looked totally transformed in a very negative way from even 3 weeks ago. Clearly, something has occurred. We may hear more during exit interviews, I hope.

For just about any other NHL franchise, it would be. For the Flyers, it's just another day in the Flyerland.... Business as usual. What *is* insane is that people still pay money to go and watch the garbage they put on ice.... year after year. If fans stop paying money, something would change.

I am convinced they are hopeless and incurable at this point... Regardless of new faces, new brass, new narrative, new... everything, the MO will never change wit this team. It's frankly disgusting and nauseating.

Well, we are done...

You were an excellent commissioner for so many years, and what you did and the time you spent, didn't go un(or under)appreciated or unnoticed. But life and work comes first without a doubt. Good luck, man, and thanks for all your work with this league!

If it's any consolation, he kills EVERYBODY, not just the Flyers. He didn't score 113 points last year by accident. Pasta is one of the best natural scorers in the league. It's almost impossible to contain him. His ability to find open space is unparalleled. And he dishes out as effectively as he shoots. He is as a complete of a player as I've ever seen.

Wow. That's a big one. Good thing the Flyers have Sam Ersson, who proved to be an NHL goalie, more than capable of holding the fort. But wow....