Photo Credit: NHL.com
“It’s the f..kin Philadelphia Flyers. The first time I went over the Walt Whitman Bridge, I’ve been stuck here in Voorhees, it’s f..kin Philly. I got so f..kin excited.,” Flyers Head Coach John Tortorella emphatically said during his first presser with the orange and black
If this can’t pump up a team, I don’t know what will. The quote above reminds me of Herb Brooks talking to his American team before playing the Russian team “Tonight is your night, there night is done,” and the rest is history. Tortorella gets it, and he’s trying to build a connection with the fanbase of Philadelphia. The Flyers hired a former Stanley Cup winning Head Coach John Tortorella to a four year deal, worth $16 million. Some forget he won a Cup with the Tampa Bay Lightning back in the 2003-04 season.
Tortorella is known to be a hard-nosed coach, who commands the most from his players. He is not afraid of benching or calling out star studded players either. He is also Keen for giving good pressers, thus giving the media tons of stuff to write.
Tuesday was no different and Tortorella emphatically said while shaking his head that “There will not be a Captain next year. You won’t have to ask me next year.” These are bold words coming from Torts, but maybe he’s waiting for a young Noah Cates to see how he performs next season, or to see if one of Sean Couturier or Cam Atkinson comes back healthy to provide leadership.
Scott Laughton the only current Flyer at the moment wearing a letter, I’m sure will eventually be in the mix, as well, to be the next Captain for the orange and black. Torts is very good with words, maybe this quote above was a deflection for people not to talk about it in the future.
It’s become apparent as some have excelled, and some have had difficulties learning this, but on most nights the Flyers do not have a problem with effort. The team may not be talented enough to beat stiff competition or playoff bound teams on a nightly basis, but they do fight and claw their way into games nine times out of 10, “I think we need to be with them,” John Tortorella said. “We’re done, we’re not making the playoffs, but our guys continue to play hard. If they continue to do that, and I don’t doubt they’re not – there haven’t been many nights in this season, in this godforsaken season, that I’ve had to worry about effort. I don’t think I will for the remainder, so I need to show them the respect and try to be with them and try to push them along. Continue to teach, but in the proper way in what we’re going through right now.”
“There will not be a Captain next year.” – John Tortorella
These are the buildings blocks that are being instilled in this teaching season this season. Next season maybe Tortorella and his coaching staff will expect something different in terms of finishing games, but this mindset of competing and staying with teams is being instilled this season. In addition, this is adding to the locker room culture of being down, but not defeated. Just as well, maybe Tortorella is asking for more leadership and he wants someone to step up and provide it, or maybe he is speaking to someone that isn’t within the organization yet or may be injured like Atkinson or Couturier.
No coach likes to lose, but Tortorella does speak the truth. He continues to teach and lead by example this season for this young Flyers team. He is building a foundation to succeed at a high-level, and the start of that was building a new culture, instilling a new culture rather. Mission accomplished, coach, it just may come with or without the services of a Captain.
Some Collegiate Free Agents to keep an eye on
Austen Swankler
Swankler could interest the Flyers. He is a former player for the OHL, and this season he was among the Collegiate top scorers with 44 points in 35 games for Bowling Green. The Falcons’ season just ended in the first round of the CCHA playoffs, so possibly Swankler is motivated to sign with an NHL club.
He stands at 6’0 and weighs 185 pounds. He’s a Center, and skates decently.
TJ Hughes
Hughes averages slightly under a point per game for the Michigan Wolverines. Hughes stands at 5’11 and weighs 185 pounds. He is a second line Center for the Wolverines as he has registered 13 goals and 23 assists in 38 games played. Hughes doesn’t get as much notice, as he is playing behind a good player in Adam Fantilli.
