Photo Credit: Our very own Rob Windfelder

First off, what a month of November hockey, the team itself is working hard to get those wins under their belts and what a sight it is. We are excelling with the puck and with poise and further belief in oneself, the young forwards seem to be in control with puck movement. Flyers goaltending is steady and with good testament and belief. The young defensemen are broadening up the middle, and joining the rush. Up the ice they go and we are flying high; grinding it out.

I’d like to commemorate this article itself to the ones that are still sticking with the Philadelphia Flyers. Fellow sports writers, insiders and in my experience the fans. The ones that want this team to achieve success and supersede it with outstanding ovation and commendability for years to come.

A former member of the Flyers brass in hockey writing has passed away and that man is none other than the man in Jay Greenberg, No man was more fortunate to write with such pride for the Bullies on Broadstreet and even beyond that. With his clad extravagance, unwavered loyalty to the team itself, the hellbent stories with the crazy bunch of players we’ve had in years past. He had the privilege of advertising with his words and as such, will be missed in the community of sports writers, most especially for his well written engagement when it came to Philadelphia Flyers hockey. And as such I would like to make this article about the One’s. I myself am coming up with new ways, with unwavering support from countless,loyal fans of this franchise to come up with new inspiring articles for you, the fans and hockey writers alike.

First off, I would like to thank Miss Leeanne Reed; a single mother of six boys. She’s probably the most loyal of all fans in the Philadelphia area. She often drives the fans, with her immaculate loyalty to the team! That and her love for the Phillies.

Outstanding and unwavering, she doesn’t let anything or anyone bother her. She is straightforward, and quick to the punch. And I respect her wholeheartedly for that, and I am glad to have been apart of her life. She’s a tough old bird for sure, and a fan of tough guy’s who can score and get to the gritty areas of the ice. And score!But she also loved our very own GM when he was playing here. No one cheered harder for Briere other than Leeanne.

The second fan experience I’d say was the late great, Maureen Bailey, She was steadfast, straightforward, and dedicated. Her following of the team made her live in love and simple approach to life was beautiful. She’ll be missed greatly in the community of Philadelphia Flyers hockey. A grandmother too, like Leeanne nothing could stop these old birds showing their class and loyalty to their constant and unwavering support for the Flyers. May she rest in peace.

They taught me a lot over the year’s, and as I say, every day, if you’re not learning anything, are you even really living?! Learning is something we can all do every day to help keep our minds healthy, and I’ve learned no more than from no better fan than Greg Wade. A man who beat cancer numerous times in his life, and keeps fighting the good fight every day of his life with his simple approach, live every day with a smile on your face and kick ass attitude. But also to learn. I’ve been apart of this marvelous fan base for years and have met men and women who embraced me, my wife, fellow followers and past friends with open arms.  But their was one who was more loyal than others, and that man is Flyers Eric.He was the real deal.when it comes to team loyalty, but also a man of few words when it comes to discussion, He followed me at my lowest. At a time when I really didn’t believe in myself in the world of hockey, and I honestly didn’t think I could make a future career in hockey..But he did say one thing that stuck with me for the rest of my life, and that simple quote is, “Hockey Saves Lives.” What a quote to build your life around, or in my case, my life. Thank you Eric for instilling me with such drive, and focus. Coming from a troubled background such as myself, he helped me evolve. And that furthered my focus more on what everything the team and city itself stand for. And that is work harder than the one beside you. A simple blue collar attitude was integrated in me over the years, and currently.

I can name numerous other acumen and women in this case that make this fan base great and give belief in oneself and numerous other fans that we will be accountable for our work, and due dilligence, Reminds me of fan Tom Miller. A man with a love thy neighbor and sense of pride in the team he welcomes all with open arms. A true patriot and man who served, he believes in the team and country he fought for. A true Philadelphian. Jaclyn Dreibasch. With her unmatched photography skills she can turn every game into a true fan experience. Richard Monico, a man who wants the team to excel no matter what and quick to address the team on roles, and personnel. We were both men of plenty, sometimes petty intelligent hockey chat. We just wanted the team to win! He adopted my Goonies, Never Say DIe attitude and he even offered me a role with him at the Broadstreet Bullies pub, Something I never really took seriously, but probably will very soon. I highly recommend reaching out to all these loyal fans.Myself included, as we are not about the game, but go beyond the spectrum that we all could build from one another. And grow together, one day I hope to meet them, and say hello to Mo who watches over us in heaven. As Fred Shero once formally said,
“Win Today & We Will Talk Together, Forever.” That concludes this edition of this month’s Monday Motivator courtesy of myself, Ryan Renaud. Please don’t forget to subscribe to my Youtube channel at Kraken Knuckles podcast.

Check out our Flyers Nitty Gritty Store

Cool Matvei Michkov merchandise

Photo Credit: Our very own Ricky Brown

What a time to be thankful; for here in Alberta their is nothing but blue skies and magpies and get this. No snow!!! Long have I myself seen this kind of weather in October well, honestly, since my youth.

This month’s article is a brief summary of the Flyers opening the month of October and my first-hand fan experience at the new barn in Edmonton. Now some Oil fan’s I can reassure you are loyal like us, but most are a bunch of big kids. Good natured, and some were talking smack with me to start the game. It’s fun and engaging, but not the least amount to mention entertaining. When I was just there to watch the team under the tutelage of Tortorella and Matvei Michkov. Not to mention my boy Samuel Ersson.

Well, Flyers fans, that is what we call a doozy of an opening month of Flyers hockey; spooky in itself too. Considering we, the Philadelphia Flyers have set the right tone to grow our prospect pool over the year’s via the Phantom’s and as such since we’ve done just that. It’s given us a glimpse of what the Flyers were once held accountable for. And that is listening to our fan’s. We were a loud, proud, loyal, and raucous crush em(Orange that is) style of fan’s that literally made the Well so intimidating to play against and it represents the city of Philadelphia great.

Let’s start with Matvei Michkov who started red hot out of the gate and opened up the scoring, his first two goals of his career were against this Edmonton team and what a better way to showcase his talent. His composure in and around the net is what I’m talking about as it was picture perfect as he attacks the puck with such drive and tenacity. That it often drives the Flyers to their constant brink of ongoing failures and progress. Even though it’s what made the team so great in the past. And that’s going to the net hard, and expecting ill results, it’s without this focus, drive, and determination that the Flyers current team will literally skate around each other and ignore the ultimate pay off. A hard nosed in your face, gritty style kind of play that has literally given them numerous successes in the past. Fred Shero is once known as saying, “Arrive to the net with ill humor and good things will happen.”

Well, he is right. And in itself its pretty self explanatory that the Flyers lost their battles within and not to mention willingness to get to the key areas of the ice and without the help of having strong, net front leadership or presence in James van Riemsdyk or Wayne Simmonds to help them they will lose their effectiveness on the Power Play but with having a player like Michkov, a player who skates well. Gets to the grey areas of the ice, and you will see the team’s identity will once be back in top form. He skates really well, and his first goal was a spitting image and what we expect to see of his promising young career, and that’s in your face, nose to the grindstone hockey.

While Samuel Ersson kept them in it, not to mention some key defensive containment play by the Flyers defense. It couldn’t stop them from keeping McDavid and Draisaitl off the the board, as both teams were battling the refs as well, but with Erssons’ vision and key lateral movement, he couldn’t stop the Oilers offense once they got going; as they were gifted Power Play’s by the refs and having one key penalty killer placed in the box in Travis Konecny. At one point, both teams were frustrated with each other and started taking their frustrations on one another. At one point, our very own captain Sean Couturier took advantage of a goal tender playing the puck out of his own goal crease and gave him a gentle nudge and much to Oilers defenders in Troy Stecher’s dismay, Coots hit Stuart Skinner but what I saw was a dive by the Oilers netminder as he flailed backwards a tad and dove. As it resulted in a tilly between Stetcher and Couturier in an already heated game between the Philadelphia Flyers and Edmonton Oilers.

The game ended on sour grapes as another  blown call by the refs went to the Edmonton Oilers as our player was driving the net hard in overtime and was slashed and maybe even hooked a little, this time during a breakdown by the Oilers themselves as Sanheim went to the net on a break but fell down in the corner boards and in turn we were no match for the Oilers speed as we were caught on a backcheck. Oilers got away with two points as they went the other way and got the go ahead and eventual overtime winner. On a miscommunication play. It was a great game overall that had enough tenacity and will but it proved not to be enough for a full sixty minutes of play by the Flyers. 

As they say, plenty of hockey left, but it was just that; no full sixty minutes of play. But it’s just the beginning of the season as we look forward to November. A month to be thankful for. Veterans, players, coaches, parents, as well as wives. As we head into this month, need I remind not to put up your Christmas decorations or tree until after Veterans day or Remembrance day here in Canada.

Greetings fan’s and fellow Nitty Gritty crew!!

The one sport that gives me joy during the most depressing time for me is hockey. Being this far West in Alberta isn’t easy and isn’t for the faint of heart. We’re in a recession, and I’m battling every day! Nights are long, and winters are harsh.

I wanted to shift focus on the Flyers for a moment on this and would would like to talk about the many and various Métis/First Nations and Aboriginal NHLers that made the show. Players like Brandon Montour, Zach Whitecloud, T.J. Oshie, Reggie Leach even former Flyer Aaron Asham. Who, by all accounts was a solid NHL’er. He played for the orange and black, and even helped them reach the Stanley Cup Final in 2010. I will be highlighting some of my favorite players and mention some who even helped carve their way for the First Nations/Aboriginal community to have a chance at making the NHL. So let’s mention some great and honorable players who helped pave the way for the National Hockey League.

Recent Stanley Cup Winner and former Florida Panther Brandon Montour is of Aboriginal decent. He has been making quite the name for himself. A solid defenseman who moves the puck well and is good in the offensive zone. He signed a deal with the Seattle Kraken, and that’s a good deal in my eye’s because Seattle is home to many people of Aboriginal decent and has a good community who will welcome Brandon onto their team with open arms.

Zach Whitecloud, the big, intimating defenseman for the Vegas Golden Knights is another player I’d like to highlight. He is your run of the mill typical defenseman who plays a big game. I’ve always admired that style of Whiteclouds. Often overlooked in today’s finesse filled NHL because he plays a big boy game.

The last two I would like to mention are two very important player’s of mine as I admire them on and off the ice. I am talking about T.J. Oshie and Riverton Rifle. Reggie Leach.

T.J. has been a stellar player since breaking into the league. He’s a good player, when healthy, as he’s been injured the last few seasons at different times. His numbers would be even more impressive, if you were able to. Stay healthy.

Check out our Flyers Nitty Gritty Store

Cool Matvei Michkov merchandise

Reggie “The Rifle” Leach was a great player for the orange and black. He happened to play on the most famous LCB line, Leach shout the puck over 100 MPH. I mean it would intimidate anyone. He also possessed a lethal wrist shot, that could pick any corner. Leach had an arsenal of moves and a backhander that fooled the goaltenders more often than not.

He finished his great career with 381 goals in 934 games played. That is a good way to end this article. I appreciate everyone for reading.

Photo Credit : Our very own Shaylah Rice

‘There’s always light, only if we’re brave enough to see it, only if we are brave enough to be it!” – Amanda Gorman

Two months of the hockey season is evident. Players are playing hard; the  backcheckers are checking. We are throwing our weight around, and the boys will be fighting for one another and wanting to make a great impression for each other going forward and trying to trust and build a camaraderie, but we get so engrossed in the game and routine of it all, that it’s not till we get injured or take a step back to be humbled. And appreciative. In turn, it takes away what truly matters most, our mental health, which lately has been the most improved for the NHL going forward.

This is a special Movember edition of FlyersNittyGritty. Often times, we watch the sport, forgetting these guy’s are human beings who have families back home, watching them play. With rigorous physicality and a challenging focus compared with an excellent balance of self control. Infuse all those thing’s into eighty two games of the year, night in and night out. Day in and day out. This can all be so draining. Compare that with body aches and pains and combine it all with the demands of coaches, the ability to continue to score goals on a consistent level all while maintaining the mental focus and drive that keeps these athletes going and keeping the body and mind healthy enough to lace up the skates and tie your shoes. The Flyers themselves have a routine to follow.

Players such as Cam Atkinson, former Flyer Oskar Lindblom, Sean Couturier have all had career setbacks and have had to deal with their fair share of self doubts, the inability to simple tasks like putting on clothes. Even coming back from being bedridden with cancer. These guy’s had to deal with their mental sides telling them to give up, but it’s with lots of love, kindness, good family, and fantastic friends that can help find the strength to achieve the progress you seek. Progress is made in steps. Remember progress, not perfection.

I wanted to write this month’s article on the progress that we all must endure to be sustainable, and that these athletes are no exception. Take the undersized Cam Atkinson, who went through hell and high water to come back in top form. Mentally exhausted, I’m sure as any person coming back from long-term injury  has said, “Damn, it’s good to be back.” &  “It’s good to have that routine back in my life.” Cam was out for a good length of time, a whopping five hundred plus day’s. A pretty good length of time for a hockey player if you ask me.  But as it stands, Cam seems to be having a good deal of fun out there. Being one of Tortorella’s favorites from both their days with the Columbus Blue Jackets, respectively. But to have a healthy Cam Atkinson gives this team that much more depth and respect on the veteran side. Especially with this season being so young and not even a full month in, these youngsters and undersized players alike will be looking at Cam for guidance.

Sean Couturier is a guy who we all wanted to see come back and play as soon as possible, but with an injury like his, a herniated disk in his back. As severe as it was. It was in our best interest well for us. The franchise, the Philadelphia Flyers as a whole, to let Sean recuperate and recover with no rush or hastened deadline. Yes we all love to see him play and know his immediate impact, but to have a little empathy for a moment. The guy did not play for a single game in twenty two months. We all know these guy’s are warriors, but they’re human, too. Sean had plenty of people backing him up and supporting him during his recovery. Quoted at saying the following, “Definitely my wife, my daughter, and my parents, were always there to talk to me.” And that’s huge for Coots. It is like they say, though, that having good people surrounding you during your recovery makes you recover faster. Not only can their encouragement affect you mentally, but it’s also how it affects your inner spirit. It is usually at this time that we are definitely at our lowest during our recovery processes; and for whats its worth, those encouraging people and words they give off, it’s going to help us physically to overcome said injury or mental block and come back stronger than ever before. Good for the mind, body, and spirit!

The Mowvember numbers are the following:

For the USA: 1-310-450-3399

For Canada 1-416-591-7771

The last person I’d like to talk about is a former player who inspired us all.. Oskar Lindblom!

Now Lindblom was on pace to having a career year with the Philadelphia Flyers when he was diagnosed, he was afflicted with a rare form of bone cancer. Ewings Sarcoma. All of a sudden he had to stop playing hockey, his whole world was turned upside down. Thousands of miles from his native home in Sweden, he had only his girlfriend at the time, his dogs, and now his eventual wife by his side. He also had at the time a wonderful teammate Robert Hagg and a former Swede in his own right right there with him also. Also us fan’s and supporters. First, they said he may never play be able to play the sport of ice hockey again, that his bones may be too brittle to even a throw a check. But with Oskar, his mindset was already made up! A totally different breed. Almost possessed to the point that he knew he was going to beat it, and that he will he play the game of hockey again! Always with a positive attitude, and always with a smile on his face. He instantly became an inspiration for his teammates and coaches and assistants alike.

It was June, the league had shut down but decided to have the Stanley Cup Playoffs; anyway it was at this time Flyers were the hottest team in the league, and it seemed like they picked up where they left off, they were the top seed after a round robin of play. After the actual playoff games began, their were rumors that a miracle could happen. And with approximately six months after being diagnosed with cancer, going through chemo and radiation; Oskar Lindblom was able to return to the ice.  Yes the rumors were true, Oskar came back and played in a playoff game. Unfortunately for us, we were eliminated in the conference finals that year, and our season was over.  That being said, and knowing what he did was not only an inspiration, but what he did for others. He had a mind over matter mindset and pair that with his rutheless determination to prove the doctor’s wrong,  his positive outlook on life, got him through it all. Oskar Lindblom, we salute you!!

“You’re braver than you think, stronger than you seem,  and smarter than you think.” –
A. A. Milne

That concludes this Movember edition of FlyersNittyGritty. Thank you for your time and consideration for reading this special Mowvember edition. It means a lot to me.

LET’S GO FLYERS

“When the kids are united, they will never be divided” – Sham 69

Greetings, Nitty Gritty fans and readers alike year two under coach John Tortorella has me excited as a fan of this team going ahead. So let’s kick the door open. I, for one, think he is the perfect model for this hockey club. He represents dedication, consistency, and due diligence. And in time we will be the perfect model of those thing’s. For now, I say, let the kid’s be kid’s. Let them showcase their skill in the season opener and beyond but also hold them accountable for missing a check or two and commend one on one’s skill on the penalty kill.. we all don’t want to do it, but all in all, it’s about commitment to the team that matters. We are Flyers fans.

It reminds me of my favorite coach, Herb Brooks, who never was a Flyer but with his vision with a young nineteen eighties group of gentlemen. He made it work. What he did reminds me of what Fred Shero once did with a group of misfits, he literally transformed a group of grinders into Stanley Cup champions. This didn’t happen overnight, no, but with Herb and Shero, they focused all their attention on the minor thing’s, plays like playing along the half wall. Tape to tape passes,  back checking,  proper poke checking, taking the body at the appropriate time will open up opportunity. Opportunities will arise every now and again, but with patience, structure, and accountability, coach Tortorella will mold these kids into a contending team. John Tortorella is the whole package when it comes to Philadelphia. He will stick up for his team and will never blame them for their actions. He will gladly take the bullet for the team and then some.

Going forward, we are rebuilding our defense, and I think that this is what the team needs to address as we are very thin on the defensive end. We lack the depth on the defensive side that, alongside the team, is young and inexperienced at the NHL level. Younger than ever with the likes of Ronnie Attard, Emil Andrae, Ethan Samson, Cameron York, and Oliver Bonk. These kid’s will need steering in the right direction and will be pressured into making mistakes as they will happen. Like miscues on a breakout into the neutral zone, a sloppy pass, that sort of thing, but with generous coaching and engrossing oneself to their craft, they will get better. And believe me, they will. 

Players, in general, have the mindset and have the habit of coming into the league thinking they have it made, thinking that’s all there is to it. They made it to the major leagues.  But the greater one’s know, that every day is a chance to get better and be coachable. With a coach like John Tortorella, he’ll be at the helm of it all. Teaching these young kids that it’s okay to penalty kill and it can be rewarding, and that it’s okay to play the puck along the boards and battle it out. This only teaches them that determination and commitment will eventually achieve greater thing’s. Plays like springing a teammate on a breakway after digging and tiring out your opponent along the boards, the juice is worth every bit of squeeze so don’t go ahead thinking this team is going to be amazing off the hop, no we need leadership. A player like Marc Staal can completely change the aspects and attitude these youngsters may have. Rather than attacking with the skills you possess, use your skills to attack. The game and pace of the game isn’t what it used to be so rather taking the body to take the hit, why not do the smarter play and use the reach of your stick to disrupt the play.  You’d still be in position, and you wouldn’t have wasted any excess energy. Plus, you wouldn’t be behind the play.

There is a quote that goes, “Without good defense, you have no good offense.” And I agree with the quote whole heartedly, long have we had players who stick up for our goaltenders like Moose Dupont sticking up for Bernie Parent, who was traded away from the beginning. Mind you, and then brought back again because you don’t know what you got until it’s gone.  But in this day and age, it would be damn near hard to get a talent like Carter Hart back in today’s NHL. Players who aren’t afraid to block shots for Hart are what we need! The goaltenders in the past have come and gone in this town like a plague of yesteryear and are often coming with them injuries and old age. For once, Philadelphia, get your head out of your asses and see what you have in front of you. I can’t fathom the idea of why their are trade talks in regards to Carter Hart, but you just don’t do that. Without him, we literally have no heart. We can’t rely on defensive forwards like Sean Couturier to be on the ice all the time and with defensemen like Ivan Provorov gone, we literally have nobody to block those shots and log the ice time like he did. Rasmus Ristolainen, maybe, but players like Emil Andrae are here. Yes he lead in respective ice time for HV71 but he has to develop at the professional level in North America. But, let’s not get in over our heads here, these kid’s will have their work cut out for them.

Check out our Flyers Nitty Gritty Store

Cool Matvei Michkov merchandise

The Flyers should not hurry the and place the youth on the top pair and expect them to know everything. They have to take a step back in order to take the step forward, and with Tortorella and other coaches guiding them, the hope is they can only get better.

Sorry fellow Flyers fans if this style of hockey is boring to you, but this is what the game has come down to. Speed and skill is what determines whether the team is all in or not, and to do it consistently will take some time. But the Flyers are definitely moving in the right direction. All we need now is for the kid’s to buy into the system, move forward never backwards and have the presence in mind that you’re striving to get better. The leadership will hopefully put these kids in an over the edge mindset and have them hungry. It’s up to the kid’s themselves if they want to show up or not. I can envision a better team defensively in their own zone and hopefully better and quicker in the neutral zone, less sloppiness than before, and better break out passes. A player like Danny Briere has given us that, and thanks to our minds, we can envision that. Faster along the boards and wings respectively, shooting off the rush. Now I’m not saying we will be contenders anytime soon but a better team defensively and better on the breakout. I feel like this is what the team needs to address. Players like Nick Seeler and Marc Staal aren’t here for the long haul per se.  They are here temporarily, but hopefully, with players like Rasmus Ristolainen and Travis Sanheim, they can set the example of what it means to be a Flyer. Not that Sanheim needs work himself, but who doesn’t need a little work every now and again. Being coachable isn’t the end of the world, but it is the ability to get better. Day in and day out. It’s the one’s that think they know it all, that will surely fail. The Flyers need help on special teams, I hope Marc Staal will help out the struggling Sanheim and young defensive corps, Cam York included.

Garnet Hathaway, too, will be their to guide the young forwards to help pinch along the boards and get that puck down the ice during key moments! Watch for improvements there. Scott Laughton, as we know, is the short-handed dynamo that he is and what he brings to the table. He will be there, vocally to address and help these youngsters to succeed in these types of game situations. It will be one of the things that need to be addressed moving forward.

Penalty killing is what I’m talking about!

Hopefully, the Flyers will showcase the league and their divisional counterparts that they still belong in this league and that the Philadelphia Flyers aren’t just some old school hockey club who believes in violence and beat’em up style of play. We have displayed in the past that we can win hockey games, and consistently doing so well will reward us in the end. You just have to believe in this team and not have such high expectations going in.

Coaches like Herb Brooks, Freddie the Fog, and Tortorella all have one thing in common, they want to have a high demand and a high commitment level coming from within their players. If you spend the time to understand their systems, take heed and adapt to what they’re trying to teach, and only then will you succeed. Rasmus Ristolainen is a prime example of this as he excelled under the tutelage of Torts. And he was the most improved from last season. Coaches like this are few and far between nowadays, and with the players being in full control of their respective destinies, they need discipline and coaching in order to be successful.

To end the beginning of our season, I would like to say that the defense is an important part of this team going forward, as anything else; not only for the defenders but for the set-up guy’s and powerplay specialists not to mention the penalty killers and men who “eat” pucks for a living. The Philadelphia Flyers front office was not afraid to throw the term “rebuild” around and with Jonesy and Briere being in charge of it all, I’d say building from the net out is a solid breakout and what a better pace to play at and intensity.

I firmly believe that is the correct way of doing it, defense first! Thank you for reading your monthly Monday Motivator.

LET’S GO FLYERS

Good Monday to all the Flyers faithful!!! Let’s cut to the chase here and get to the Nitty Gritty…

For year’s now, this franchise has been distant with their fan’s. The generation of the Flyers faithful have grown old, the families don’t want to carry the burden of wearing the flying faithful “P”, we are driven, ridiculed, and mocked by peers and fellow fans alike for being such a disgruntled group of fans. I have high hopes that the barn will be loud and orange again.

Even the players that used to put on that sweater call this place an amazing place to play, some will call Philadelphia home; Even coach John Tortorella said he wanted to be a coach here for the Flyers and how the fan’s stuck with him and how crazy they can be. We leave a lasting impression. I remember when the barn in Philadelphia was an amazing full house every night, ruckus, party in your face, full on warpaint!!!!

Let players keep forever doubting the abilities of this young Flyers team. It only adds fuel to the already existing fire; we as the loyal fan’s know that this team is full of tools and have the said tools to build a once rusted orange into a bright, shiny sharpness of orange.

Players like Scott Laughton, Cam York, Sean Couturier, Carter Hart, and young prospects are all players you try and build your team around! Add a few veterans and you’re set.

Scott Laughton is the prime example here. Let me get into detail with Scott here, and coach Tortorella obviously saw the same things I have seen in him. And the he is a utility player. Players like him can be utilized five on five, five on four(the powerplay), in short-handed situations(penalty kill), is a proven voice in the room(leadership), he can play center, he can play wing. What I’m saying is that Laughton is our Swiss Army knife. The guy you can actually picture wearing the “C”. He’s a guy you build the team around. He is that important to me, and for this hockey club. It shouldn’t be any different. He’s a proven professional at this level.

Carter Hart too, for starters I will say he is a gifted goaltender and is the missing piece of the pie that the Flyers have needed for years. And I do say this with the utmost respect but you don’t go out and sign goaltenders Philadelphia. You develop them, and believe me it takes years for goaltenders to develop in the NHL. You don’t go trading pieces like this away, Philadelphia. Take the time with them, and eventually, you will have the calm, collected, mature, and poised goaltender. Goes for the players and Sam Ersson alike. I am in no rush to get these kids developed. It will take time to be that sharp knife in the drawer. So, in the meantime, let them compete for a roster spot.

Veteran additions like Marc Staal and Garnet Hathaway will only benefit these young prospects, such as going over and beyond your abilities, game preparation, studying video, and how to handle one’s self during certain game situations. Ultimately, you want the kids to out compete the veterans, but sometimes you need that veteran presence on the ice. It really balances itself out, and it is important to note how one can utilize the knowledge given and watch how one can use it. A lot of factors can define what matters, but it is the preparation and leadership too that could benefit these young players, and I believe Hathaway and Staal both proven penalty killing machines throughout their careers can help find the perfect solution for the Flyers penalty kill unit and maybe even the powerplay respectively. All in due time.

Little known fact about Hathaway here, but he made his NHL debut versus the Philadelphia Flyers.

This can be said too about our young defensive corps and the numerous prospects in our system. These kids will be fighting like hell for a roster spot. Trying to out compete the aforementioned veteran players for a roster spot on the big club; the Philadelphia Flyers. And with a coach like John Tortorella at the helm of it all, you best show up and be at your best professionally. He wants to bring the passion out of you, and for me that beats being the athlete.

Surely, they’re two different things but pair them together, and they’re a force to be reckoned with! Together, you become relentless.

We have a few what if’s in the system to start the season, Cam Atkinson and Sean Couturier are a few names but truth be told, what team doesn’t have a few of these what if’s to start the season. Players coming back from season ending injury and surgery, to coming back from preexisting injuries. But hey, what better guy to talk about next and that guy is Sean Couturier, now Sean himself is coming back from injury, and is a key piece to this club whole heartedly because the kid plays a two hundred foot game. He plays a two way game which means he plays on both sides of the puck and ice respectively. Offensive and defensive zone. Known as an important and full-time centreman for us too, so naturally we need him healthy. He is an integral part of this team going forward. And unfortunately for us we haven’t had his services in the past few seasons, so naturally we have taken a step back but when Coots is involved, he slices and dices his way through defenses because he takes up so much room which in turn opens up opportunities for his line mates to do their magic. Definitely an important man in the face off dot, too. Otherwise, players like Morgan Frost will have to step up and earn that pay check. A little fancy move every now again doesn’t work Morgan, not around here. Frost has to be willing to be a good centremen, then he will get paid. Joel Farabee is another player I’d like to see come back to true form. Genuine sniper..

The Flyers haven’t had a player like him since Simon Gagne.

A player whom I want on the team full time isn’t the aforementioned Cam York. But, Emil Andrae. The Swedish prospect plays such great games. Yeah, laugh at my dark horse now, even goof and guffaw at his height if you want to, but for what it’s worth, dynamite comes in small packages. At only five foot nine and a little over a buck ninety, he plays a pretty solid game. I assure you he is worth every bit of gold and then some. He is another specialty player who, in my opinion, the Flyers themselves should not trade away. The kid has excelled for HV71, the team he played for in the Swedish Elite League. Where he racked up assists, ice time(Ivan, who), blocks(Provorov, who), and you’ll love this one fan’s powerplay goals. Yes, powerplay goals. The kid isn’t afraid to dance along the blue line either. Beautiful edgework. Eventually, he comes in, usually when he smells blood and rips one past the tendy. And SCORES. We haven’t had a decent powerplay quarterback since Kimmo Timonen. Maybe since Gostisbehere. I picture Andrae being the Provorov-Makar hybrid. Maybe even a little Shayne Gostisbehere in there, too. Players like Andrae we keep Philadelphia and build a team around. This goes for Cameron York, too, who has busted his ass off this off-season by being in Voorhees. Training hard all off-season.

Good for him.

A few things that have lacked this team for years and that in my eyes has been player development, not to mention the ownership, and integrity, but i will talk about that later. For now, and this is for the better or for worse of it, but at this point for the Flyers to stop spending and start developing. For me, and some may agree here, is from what i have always noticed was that the Flyers were always gong out and signing the next best thing. But this thing was usually a goaltender. Old and rusted, no shine. We had become a graveyard for goaltenders. Flyers even did this with a few big-name players in the past, Mike Knuble comes to mind! But boy, am I glad we drafted his son, Cole. It’s that kind of tradition that keeps this sport going forward and being amazing, in my opinion, of course.

To keep things moving forward here, I’ll add to the negativity. Why is it that the Philadelphia Flyers have great talent in the system, but only to trade them and have them win Cups later? That is one thing that irked me too about this franchise. It is like a common curse that comes back again every now and again. Players like Mike Richards, Simon Gagne, Patrick Sharp, Justin Williams, Ben Eager, Patrick Maroon, Joni Pitkanen, Jeff Carter, P.E. Bellemare, and Brayden Schenn. The sword is definitely mightier than the shield here, but you get my jest. My problem always was why the Flyers never did take the time to build a Cup winning team with the youth infusion that they had drafted or had attained. The players they’ve given up to acquire said players are just too unreal to fathom. Believe me, we know! Eventually it would come down to this, using the prospects and prospect pool but the team itself had plenty of time to figure out if these players were busts or not and to not realize their potential, unless we ourselves are a major league farm team, which I surely hope we are not!

Now to talk about ownership and integrity, the Flyers have hired familiar faces in their front office in Danny Briere and Keith Jones now, but thanks to them they have given us a few good items to prepare our team with; in time we’ll turn these ingredients into a team fueled to win once again. Danny Briere as we know, was a fiery and passionate player, and with that mindset we here at Flyers Nitty Gritty know he can and add that passion back to the Flyers faithful. We’ve lacked a general manager who can instill passion in his players since Mr. Snider. With Danny’s knowledge and pace for the game, I’m sure we’ll get more passionate and aggressive as the season gets moving along here.

We believe in you Danny!

Keith Jones was another player who the Flyers have hired recently, and yes, like age-old Flyers tradition, he is a former player. But, we here at Flyers Nitty Gritty and fans alike know him for his commentary with Jim Jackson. Fans and the league itself are affiliated with Jonesy, as he has always had a great mind for the game of hockey. It is with that mindset, paired with Daniel Briere’s, the Philadelphia Flyers franchise will be an exciting and excelling team for years to come. Both have made minor league team adjustments in management and in terms of development. Both are getting us equipped for the pace of the game nowadays. This isn’t the Broadstreet Bullies, you can’t be a one dimensional player anymore, you have to be able to contribute in other areas. That’s what coach Torts wants in his players. Being versatile but holding one’s esteem accountable, too.

To conclude; I would like to say that they, the Flyers, and us fan’s should also believe that patience will always get you rewarded in the end. Always.

LET’S GO FLYERS!

Photo Credit: Rebecca McCormick

Greetings to you all once again, are we ready to fly the astral planes, maybe even out in atmosphere and into the winds of stars! Good thing’s have finally found it’s way to the Flyers and I’m not talking about Connor Bedard; to the fan’s and those who follow along for something quick and accessible, we here at Flyers Nitty Gritty have got something to say. The dark cloud that has overshadowed the team’s progress in General Manager Chuck Fletcher and ownership in Dave Scott, the governor of Comcast Spectators respectively are finally getting what fans asked for. They’re moving on. That’s it! It’s that simple, they’re gone…viva la Revolution!!!!

Alright alright, I’ll be getting into the grittiness of the situation but currently organization has their very own Danny Briere take over currently as Interim General Manager replacing the aforementioned Chuck Fletcher. Who was good in his own right, but far too conservative to fans who followed him and lead them into hysteria.

As for Dave Scott, but I can tell you I was getting bad vibes from him. So with that being said, Dan Hilferty will takeover the position. I always thought Dave Scott was too business oriented, and he was making a mockery of the Flyers franchise.

Granted, our foreverly remembered and late owner Ed Snider was a business man who was doing his own business deals, but loved the game of hockey, Ed was a man of detail and encouragement. He would attend his team’s hockey games with his family with the utmost enthusiasm and would be the first to tell encouraging things to his players. Down below. In the locker room. Ed was simply one of the boys as we say, here in hockey. But if you did bad, no bueno. He would still be there in the locker room or somewhere close. Sure he’d say something to wake a player up but all in all, he just wanted effort. Speaking of effort and being with the team for three plus decades, the man known as Steve Coates who has been a hell of a comic relief in due part to the Flyers radio broadcast with Tim Saunders. Thank you Coatesy, for your efforts and being one of the voices my ears would listen to as I worked. Happy retirement sir. I’ll miss him on air honesty. No filter, almost. Also, congratulations to Saunders on your 25th season of radio PBP broadcasting for the Flyers.

Check out our Flyers Nitty Gritty Store

Now I don’t about you, but do you like to chance thing’s or do you like a good gamble? With the rumors abundant in Flyerland and even here in Canada have them saying to hell with it, let’s trade the orange and black’s best goaltender away in Carter Hart, would you do that Nitty Gritty family?? Trade the Flyers number one goalie who we took years to develop. Hell No!! Trade for what? The Montreal Canadiens top draft picks and Cole Caulfield respectively. Oh Danny Boy, Montreal is calling. Blasphemy, for one don’t agree with moving the young goaltender and I’ll probably get slack for this, I am one of the few fan’s who does not want the team to tank for Connor Bedard…does that surprise you? It shouldn’t, as I personally don’t think the Flyers are that type of team. Even though fan’s haven given up, the team actually hasn’t as they will never give up on the season. Ersson is a quality back up for Hart, so for me Felix Sandström should go, if we’re talking goaltenders.

As for me, let’s be brave and go all in and I would like to talk about a player who I think is gonna have a solid breakout season. He is being labeled as too small, and who despite the NHL’s ice being smaller and less wide is gonna have problems adjusting. It may take a moment or a season but that human being is Emil Andrae. He stands at 5’9 and weighs 190 pounds. The kid is a solid Swede, and he has been busy playing overseas where he racked up blocks, powerplay goals (yes, you read that correctly, goals on the powerplay), ice time, and assists.

There is one of stats that I’ll be dissecting, and I think is kind of important. Especially if you play defense and that is the time on ice statistic. This is an important one because it’s more centered around the defenseman and maybe the leaders in the group persè. A player like Ivan Provorov. He fits into the bill quite perfectly if you ask me, and I don’t know about you fan’s but I want the Flyers to play a game of Russian Roulette here and possibly move him before next season starts.

A player like Provy is a top draft pick yes, but in my opinion has been quiet this season. He has yet to make an impact this season and I believe maybe that has attributed to his lack of success. So, for me that makes a player like him labeled as expendable. Sorry! Not sorry!

Emil Andrae has that ability to take over and maybe earn Provorov’s position in due time or maybe even the thought of a promotion for Travis Sanheim. But I think in my opinion, having Emil, as a top pair dman is a pretty damn good option. At twenty year’s old, he is younger and I have this thought that he’ll be a Gostisbehere type. Moves the puck along the boards well and can see the ice well. Just the kind that Tortorella looks for, although in the back of my mind, I hope he takes over DeAngelo’s role as well on the team. For starters, DeAngelo has an expiring contract next season. And this team is finally getting the youth infusion they so deserve.

Andrae was selected in the second round in the twenty twenty draft. Fifty fourth overall by the way.

Another possible gamble is the possibility of moving centreman Kevin Hayes, to where I’m not sure but as I have a habit of calling things like I see them, as I play Texas Hold Em but throwing a big guy like Kevin Hayes in the pot might stir some heads and get the table warm, moving forward again.

This team is obviously getting younger by the day and as such we need to move in the right direction and tread carefully by picking the right players for the young corps of players that are already established and who want to make an immediate impact on this team. Noah Cates comes to mind! I want his brother up on the parent club as well but we shall see. Travis Konecny’s name has come up every now and again but it wouldn’t make sense trading a player that Tortorella has said himself that he respects. Especially his chippiness. His leadership is showing recently, and he was also having a career year in points for the fellow Flyer. Too bad he got injured, as he was doing well for us.

It is safe to say, that the Flyers have set and found the foundation for what one hopes they continue to work on, and that is getting the youth infusion they have been looking for. For once, they have the tools to make the game of hockey excitable at the Wells Fargo Center once again.

Thing’s have changed over the year’s but that doesn’t mean fans can’t still be fans, the rabid, die hard, crazy, hardworking, blue collar fan’s of the good ole Bullies of Broadstreet. In the end, people will always be there for them, cheering on the Orange and Black. For some, the Flyers have yet to make a “big splash” but I think the “splash” was getting rid of Chuck Fletcher and Dave Scott respectively. It’s like a burden has been lifted, but now comes the difficulty of being a GM of an NHL franchise for Danny Briere, he did well for the Maine Mariners in Portland Maine. And as I see it, he deserves the position of having this position for the Philadelphia Flyers. Known as Mr. Playoffs when he played here and being known as possibly being the most consistent in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. One hundred and sixteen points out of a possible one hundred and twenty four for Mr. Briere. I am anxious to see what he can do.

And with having a good coach and commitment to the sport itself in the NHL in John Tortorella, the Philadelphia Flyers franchise will once again be back to glory. That concludes this week’s Monday Motivator, I wish you all a good week ahead and we hope you all are staying gritty out there in the beyond!

LET’S GO FLYERS

Greetings ladies and gentlemen and to the kids in Flyerland! Hope you had a good weekend! So let’s cut to the chase, the Flyers had themselves a poor trade deadline according to the Flyer faithful. I’m here to help you dive in and break it down, hopefully possibly give you fan’s something to think about. Maybe enlighten you a bit, but I highly doubt that!!!!

LET’S GO..

The first trade that had happened. The Flyers traded Isaac Ratcliffe for future considerations to the Nashville Predators. Of course, on deadline day the first trade the Flyers made was acquiring Forward Brendan Lemieux and a 2024 fifth-round pick, in exchange for beloved fan favorite, Zack MacEwen. Some fans were upset about this, but let’s not disappoint. It has become clear that John Tortorella or the front office are seeking “Young Projects.” Lemieux is just the kind of player Tortorella wants, but Lemieux may just be a temporary fixture as they have two wingers in the system revved and ready to go. Also, Lemieux is on an expiring contracts, so he may test free agency in the Summer but who knows? We’ll know when we get there. One game at a time.

The game has changed over the year’s and as a result, so has the physicality but that hasn’t necessarily changed the pace of the game if anything the game has gotten more strategic. Proper stick checking and positioning is vital to the game. Just as it is for the goalie. Players have to be held accountable for their actions, just ask Kevin Hayes, Tony DeAngelo, Travis Sanheim, and Travis Konecny. But, hey they’re on ice, mistakes are bound to happen and sadly momentum can change at a moments notice. Unfortunately, for Joel Farabee he missed the hard rigors of training camp, as well as, the Pre-Season so naturally he’s a little rusty. Farabee also had no chance to work on his game, hence the demotion. But every day is a learning experience, so don’t take it on the chin Joel, you’ll get back in game shape in no time.

Tortorella is looking for players that require adjustments to their game. And to our beloved Flyers fans/media alike who always want quality hockey games let alone big names on the ice, sorry but you aren’t going to be getting that anytime soon and sadly, at the end of the day, this team may or may not be as exciting as you grew up on or are used to seeing. Gone are those days, so in exchange they are working with what they have! This team requires a rebuild, and I think it is long overdue!!

Patrick Brown was also traded. He was shipped off to the Ottawa Senators in exchange for a sixth-round pick. The Flyers are lacking draft picks in this year’s draft, so they will have to work within their means this offseason, but I don’t think that it’s a bad thing. With this recent move, Fletcher opens up opportunities for the young and upcoming centermen in Tanner Laczynski and/or Tyson Foerster respectively. And as fans or those in the media, we need to realize that Chuck did that. The GM. Not the assistant coaches or even Tortorella, Chuck effing Fletcher! These are all players that are new to the league persè and want to make an immediate impact. But let’s not forget they’re young and coachable. Just the players we require under the tutelage of our very own coach in Torts. These are all good qualities that successful people or our players, in this case, possess. The desire to succeed and willingness to help out in any way they can. Consistency is another good quality to have because, without it, it would just be messy, wouldn’t it? And that’s all that Torts wants. Is a model of consistency and a good image of the team so when teams come to Wells Fargo, they know who they’re messing with!!!!

And personally, Torts is right. Teams aren’t intimidated by the Philadelphia Flyers brand anymore. I mean even the fans aren’t as rowdy as they used to be, and that’s because the orange and black aren’t winning. This can change that with the right attitude towards the team, a team that may look very different in the Summer. Be loud, be proud, regardless, through the good and the bad. It’s been tough, but it could be so much worse. We can also be respectful about this, as opposed to the in-house fighting fans have done on Social Media.

As for JvR, his deal with the Detroit Red Wings fell through but that’s okay, as he hits free agency this Summer. This could lead to future signings of one of the top up-and-coming wingers/centers.

Some fans just don’t have any patience. Fletcher is doing a good job of shedding the unnecessary players that are signed. Granted the man has made some dumb signings too, but compared to Paul Holmgren or Bobby Clarke, I’d say Chuck Fletcher has done a pretty good job of not going out of the way and not getting unnecessary rentals, or signings that are just often too ridiculous to fathom. Especially in the long run, sure he’s made a few bonehead signings for lengthy terms, but these players need to get paid too. But every General Manager in sports inherits whatever the last GM dealt with before him, so maybe consider that too.

Check out our Flyers Nitty Gritty Store

The Flyers also have a couple talented wingers/centers in Cutter Gauthier and Elliot Desnoyers respectively. Elliot is closer to the NHL level than Cutter is obviously, as Cutter is currently playing for the NCAA’s Boston College Hockey Program. For one more season, Cutter may be staying in college hockey, but we don’t know for sure as the kid hasn’t made up his mind yet! As for Desnoyers, he has been active. Leading the farm team the Lehigh Valley Phantoms in points, he has had a pretty stellar season. Recently called up to play for the big club, the Philadelphia Flyers. Elliot hasn’t made much of an impact just yet, but as a fan of him I can tell you he is an excellent skater and he seems to find the lanes in the offensive zone. Time and patience are key factors in this rebuild, so as fans we should be watching our team with the utmost patience and respect for these young athletes as they will make mistakes. They are also learning the game at an NHL level, so their is a lot to learn as well make room for adjustments. The players themselves have been doing this for year’s yes, but to be consistent and keep your job at the NHL level.. now that’s another story!

It isn’t going to happen overnight with this rebuild obviously, but with the right mindset to have and less complaining from the fans themselves. We are in the same side here, we all want the same thing…to win. That concludes this Monday’s Motivator and just learn to enjoy the ride, see the sunset, smell the spring air, smell some flowers. Cherish the little moments and achievements that this team is doing with the youth infusion. It’s like they say, if you’re going through Hell, keep going!! Have a wonderful week and…

LET’S GO FLYERS

Photo Credit: Dave Sandford/Getty Images

Greetings, fellow Flyers fans! It’s that time again! Time to do another Monday Motivator!! This time, I’ll be featuring fellow All-Star Kevin Hayes.  As a fan of him, and his NHL lineage let alone who he is becoming for our club I would like to remind you to treat the players with the utmost respect and dignity they deserve, and are entitled to their own opinions and believe in their current beliefs and ideologies.  That being said, let’s get to the Nitty Gritty.

Kevin Hayes came to the Flyers in the twenty nineteen and twenty twenty season, where he put up a respectable forty one points in sixty nine games played. He plays a big game and likes to play with his heart first. That’s what separates Kevin from the other big guys in the NHL. He doesn’t play a dominant physical game, unlike his cousins, the Tkachuk’s. In fact, his game is almost the polar opposite of what they do. What I mean is Kevin uses his sheer size and reach to make disruptions in the play, and he pairs that with good vision and good leadership. 

As for this season, Kevin is playing at a respectable fifty games played, and has scored for a total of fifteen times. Hollywood has also collected a few apples or assists to his game something that he has done a lot this season with thirty of those for a total of forty five points. Tying his current career high in points he posted for the New York Rangers back in the twenty fourteen-fifteen season respectively.

Kevin made it to the All-Star game over the course of the weekend. And we couldn’t be any happier for him here at Flyers Nitty Gritty. No better place for Kevin to get out, clear his head.

Hayes has gone through a lot in the past; injuries have set him back a few years, let alone in his personal life. An advocate for Hockey Fights Cancer, Hayes always steps in there as both his parents are survivors. He also lost his brother “Broadway” former NHLer Jimmy Hayes recently, which for him I’m sure and anyone else out there who has lost a brother or someone close. So for Jimmy, this one is for you. *points to the sky*

The pain must be unbearable. For Kevin, that must have been tough as anything as he is always trying to be a consummate and outgoing locker room presence. Something the Flyers need as they’re such young team themselves and need someone like Kevin to help them get going and possibly help get rid of the pre-game jitters.

Kevin also has his nephew Beau to keep him inspired and grounded. Something Kevin takes pride in, and that’s being the best uncle ever to little Beau. And boy does little Beau love his hockey he can apparently name off more hockey players than Kevin, so I guess that’s something, right? His favorite player, too, is Brad Marchand.

As for the All-Star break goes, Kevin was a part of the Accuracy Shooting in the skills competition on Friday and he placed fifth, and shot a commendable three out of four on nine shots attempted at a respectable twenty two seconds!

He was on the ice again on Saturday, this time for the actual All-Star game. It was three on three format so Kevin played defense. With his then college linemate and good friend, Johnny Gaudreau to play alongside with him. He got smoked by his cousin’s the Tkachuk’s, and their Atlantic division counterparts but it was Matthew who took the car home, that usually goes to the All-Star MVP.

All in all, it was a good getaway for our All-Star and his family, something they will all cherish and remember for a good, long time. Especially little Beau. Who met a few new NHL superstars this weekend!

So hey now, Kevin you’re an All-Star. Get your game on.  And get paid! The Islanders come to town Monday and from here on out it’ll be an awesome ride to the eighty second game of the season. From all of us at Flyers Nitty Gritty. Stay Gritty and LET’S GO FLYERS!!

Date Published: 10-11-2022

Photo Credit: NHL.com

Hello ALL and we at Nitty-Gritty are proud to provide you with excellent and professional penmanship let alone carefully crafted coverage for you fan’s out there. I think I’m not the only one who is excited about seeing what John Tortorella can bring to this city, let alone team.

We have needed a voice and blue collar coach with a sense of structure to their game for a period of time now. Long forgotten and clearly missing in the Flyers game since coach Peter Laviolette was in town have the Flyers had a coach with such honesty and integrity who will not only hold his player’s accountable but himself, as well. So from here on out, I am going to be giving you a motivator, on a Monday!! It was published on Tuesday due to the Canadian Thanksgiving.

Where I’ll be taking some of our team’s finer moments in history, and writing about the team’s rich history in the league. Or simply write about some of our team’s long list of alumni. They have plenty. But today, I’d like to start with coach John Tortorella. He has had his best moments and some bad moments, who doesn’t? Tortorella has some good quotes too, some they can only be appreciated in the form of writing, some can be even applied in day to day life! He tells you like it is. Sometimes he won’t say nothing at all. It can be straightforward and hilarious to downright embarrassing but one thing is for sure, he’ll have the team’s back. He’ll always be there to back up what has to say, let’s not forget this man is in fifth place amongst career wins in a list that includes aforementioned Peter Laviolette among active coaches who are coaching today. Neither coach likes to muck around. Both of them are great coaches and have a great track record; Especially for the nation itself, the U.S.A..

Anyways let’s take a look at one of my favorite Tortorella quotes thus far!!!!

“I don’t think the game’s that difficult. I think we make it so… its not that hard to think to think how to play. It’s such a reactionary game. And that’s the most important thing, is to get out of their way half the time as a coach. So Lappy and I talked, we talked early on when I was hired, and I told him right away, it’s your call on how you want to go. Because I want them to win also, I want that winning culture. Sometimes when you’re in the middle of a game, or a third period and it’s not working. Are you thinking,  well shit I’ve got to play that system.” – John Tortorella

For me this one is an amazing one, because, hockey is a very unpredictable game, whether it be choppy ice as the season goes on or simply being out there and being caught up in a fierce one on one battle and being at the wrong place, wrong time. They’re on ice for crying out loud! But even with all the high action and pace of the game their is still a structure and a game plan to follow, the game plan still remains the same. And for those that don’t know, that’s to hold your opponent in their respective zone for as long as possible. So yeah for Torts to say this, and realize that if one system isn’t working find something else that will make the game work for you. For example, you may be getting squandered by a team in the faceoff dot, how I would counteract that, I simply would be trying to tie up my opponent and have my teammate pinch into the dot and give me support on the faceoff. Play for each other. The game has many forms of adjustments. And for me it’s a game of many little details and readjustments and communication are vital for success.

Next quote by John is a good one;

“I think many people make a deal out of system’s, moreso trying a different system. There may be slight details, you may even have a different philosophy of man on man defense rather than zone defense. But it isn’t really a big change. I coached in the minors for two years, in Rochester. And it wasn’t like an organization that talked about this, and never try that. Not an organization like this(Flyers) And I think that Chuck(Fletcher) has kinda left that to Lappy and I. I’m just a true believer, because I’ve been down there before, and sometimes you’re not yourself because you’re coaching someone else’s system. And I think that’s a rotten place to be as a coach, trying to be someone guy and use his thoughts on the game.” – John Tortorella

This one is pretty self explanatory but what I like about it it is that it seems that Fletcher has really let coach Torts start this team from the ground up and really wants to start fresh, yes it has been some time since Tortorella has been active but to have Tortorella get a good feel and look on what he is looking for in his roster. Smart move, smart move. Especially when you’ve been away from the game for awhile but it’s also a phenomenal idea for John to get a look at our prospects.

Check out our Flyers Nitty Gritty Store

Lastly, I will end it with this one. My favorite out of all of them:

“We are going to have some bumps, but that’s where you have to stay with your conviction because you start changing things around because of some struggles, than everyone is second guessing. It’s a matter of not losing your patience, and their maybe some kicking and scratching going on, but you’re still within your concept to get back to where you want to be.” – John Tortorella

I hope you all have a wonderful week and I hope you enjoy this week’s edition of the Flyers Nitty-Gritty Monday/Tuesday Motivator.

LET’S GO FLYERS