Latest news with #JohnTortorella
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
In Hainsight: Coaching Has Changed
Hours before the Philadelphia Flyers were set to take on the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday night, the organization announced that coach John Tortorella had been relieved of his duties. The move shouldn't come as a shock to anyone. After the last Flyers' game, he was quoted as saying: I'm not really interested in learning how to coach in this type of season. - Canadiens: An Opportunity To Bounce Back Sam Montembeault Must Be Better No Room For Ivan Demidov If that's not walking straight on the plank to be pushed at sea, I don't know what is. His stay in Philadelphia lasted less than three complete seasons. In 237 games, he had a 97-107-33 record with the Flyers, his second-shortest stint in the NHL; he only stayed in Vancouver for a single season. Advertisement While Tortorella was a very effective coach in the past, his style doesn't really fit in today's NHL. The days of the tough coaches are long gone in the NHL. Martin St-Louis often tells the media that a significant part of his job is selling his teachings to the players. Once upon a time, hockey players were like robots and would do as the coach ordered them. Athletes want to understand why they must do or act a certain way. Juraj Slafkovsky didn't start playing a more physical game because he was told to do so. It was explained to him why the organization needed him to play that way to become the best player he could be. Don't get me wrong—the man once was a great coach. He's ninth in all-time wins among NHL coaches with 770 wins (12 short of Al Arbour in eighth place). He won the Stanley Cup with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2004 and captured the Jack Adams Trophy in 2017 with the Columbus Blue Jackets and in 2004 with the Bolts. The Canadiens coach has repeatedly said he has learned a lot from his former coach, but it's obvious to anyone watching him interact with his team that he didn't take all the leaves out of Tortorella's book The game has evolved, and the coaching has as well. St. Louis is a perfect example of it, and Tortorella is part of a near-extinct species. It will be interesting to see if another team is willing to take a gamble on the 66-year-old bench-boss. Canadiens stories, analysis, breaking news, and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News, never to miss a story. Advertisement Follow Karine on X @KarineHains Bluesky @ and Threads @karinehains. Bookmark The Hockey News Canadiens' page for all the news and happenings around the Canadiens.
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
BREAKING: John Tortorella Relieved Of Head Coach Duties
Philadelphia Flyers head coach John Tortorella has officially been relieved of his duties. OFFICIAL: The Flyers have relieved John Tortorella of his duties as head coach. Philadelphia Flyers Associate Coach, Brad Shaw, has been named interim head coach and will assume duties immediately. — Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) March 27, 2025 On Thursday morning, the Flyers announced that "the team has relieved John Tortorella of his duties as head coach. Philadelphia Flyers Associate Coach, Brad Shaw, has been named interim head coach and will assume duties immediately." 'Today I made the very difficult decision to move on from John as our head coach," said Flyers GM Danny Briere. 'John played a vital role in our rebuild. He set a standard of play and re-established what it means to be a Philadelphia Flyer. "John's passion on the bench was only equaled by his charitable work in our community. As we move into the next chapter of this rebuild, I felt this was the best for our team to move forward. I'd like to thank John for his tireless work and commitment to the Flyers." Tortorella assumed the role of head coach in 2022. During his tenure, he reached 1,500 NHL games coached—the first American-born coach to reach the milestone. The Flyers have nine games left in the season, including tonight's matchup against the Montreal Canadiens.
Yahoo
09-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Gameday 65 Preview: Flyers vs. Devils
The Philadelphia Flyers are at a bit of a crossroads right now. They dropped a frustrating game to the Kraken last night, one where they controlled the puck, generated chances, and—somehow—had almost nothing to show for it. The defense looked shaky. The offense looked snakebitten. And John Tortorella? Well, he's made it clear that if they don't get things back on track fast, this homestand could start heading in the wrong direction. So, that brings us to tonight: a second game of a back-to-back against a Devils team that, for all its inconsistency this year, still packs plenty of firepower. This is exactly the kind of moment where we see what this Flyers group is really made of. 1. The Flyers Need to Capitalize on Their Offensive Zone Time The loss to Seattle wasn't for a lack of effort. The Flyers were all over the offensive zone for large stretches of the game, cycling the puck well, creating high-danger chances, and generally doing everything except putting the puck in the net. It was one of those nights where it seemed like no matter what they did, nothing went in. Owen Tippett admitted that losing guys like Scott Laughton and Erik Johnson affects the room, but it's not an excuse for the loss: 'This is our group for the rest of the year, so we've gotta find ways to win.' #LetsGoFlyers — Siobhan Nolan (@SGNolan) March 8, 2025 And this isn't the first time we've seen this. The Flyers have had stretches this season where they control possession and generate quality chances, only to come up empty. That can't happen against the Devils. New Jersey is too talented to let off the hook. If the Flyers want to come away with two points, they need to make sure their offensive zone pressure turns into actual goals. That means getting to the front of the net and finishing those second and third opportunities. It means getting traffic in front of the goalie to make life difficult. It means taking advantage of rebounds and broken plays instead of just making things look pretty on the perimeter. Guys like Owen Tippett, Tyson Foerster, and Bobby Brink are going to be key here. They've been dangerous lately, but the Flyers need them to convert those looks into points. 2. A Big Opportunity for Ivan Fedotov John Tortorella is giving Sam Ersson a breather tonight, which means Ivan Fedotov gets another chance to build on his recent solid performances. Fedotov has had an up-and-down transition to the NHL, but lately, he's shown real promise. His positioning has been strong, he's tracking the puck better, and he's made some huge saves in key moments. The Flyers are hoping he can carry that momentum into this game, because they'll need him to be sharp. Lineup update for #NJDvsPHI: Ivan Fedotov will start in net. Cam York draws back into the lineup. Emil Andrae comes out. — Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) March 9, 2025 The Devils, despite their struggles this season, still have some of the most dangerous offensive weapons in the league. Nico Hischier, Jesper Bratt, and Timo Meier can make life miserable for a goalie if they're given space to work with. And with the Flyers' defense looking shaky last night (Jamie Drysdale being the exception), Fedotov could be in for a busy night. The question is: Can he step up in a high-pressure game? With the Flyers still scrapping for a playoff spot, every point matters, and their goaltending has to be strong down the stretch. Fedotov doesn't have to steal the game outright, but he does need to come up with key saves at the right moments. If he does that, the Flyers will be in business. 3. The Flyers Have to Handle the Devils' Speed Game If there's one area where New Jersey can really burn you, it's in transition. When the Devils are playing their game, they're flying through the neutral zone, catching teams on their heels, and generating odd-man rushes. That's been a problem for the Flyers at times this year, and if they're not careful, it could be a problem again tonight. The Devils love to attack with speed, and they have the skill to finish those chances. Even without Jack Huges in the lineup, they have plenty of offensive firepower. Jesper Bratt can weave through defenders like a magician. Even their defensemen, guys like Luke Hughes, are aggressive in jumping up on the rush. So, how do the Flyers counter that? First, they have to manage the puck better than they did last night. Turnovers in bad areas—especially at the blue lines—are a death sentence against a team like New Jersey. The Flyers need to make smart decisions with the puck, avoid forcing plays that aren't there, and stay structured in the neutral zone. Second, their defense needs to be more disciplined. The Kraken exposed some loose coverage last night, and the Devils have the skill to do even more damage if given the same opportunities. This means staying tight in coverage, limiting time and space, and—most importantly—keeping their feet moving. If the Flyers get caught flat-footed, the Devils will feast. Projected Lines Philadelphia Flyers Forwards: Tyson Foerster - Noah Cates - Bobby Brink Owen Tippett - Sean Couturier - Matvei Michkov Olle Lycksell - Ryan Poehling - Travis Konecny Nicolas Deslauriers - Rodrigo Abols - Jakob Pelletier Defense: Cam York - Travis Sanheim Nick Seeler - Jamie Drysdale Egor Zamula - Rasmus Ristolainen Goalies: Ivan Fedotov Samuel Ersson New Jersey Devils Forwards: Timo Meier - Nico Hischier - Stefan Noesen Ondrej Palat - Dawson Mercer - Jesper Bratt Erik Haula - Cody Glass - Daniel Sprong Tomas Tatar - Curtis Lazar - Nathan Bastian Defense: Luke Hughes - Brett Pesce Brian Dumoulin - Jonathan Kovacevic Brenden Dillon - Dennis Cholowski Goalies: Jake Allen Jacob Markstrom Three Takeaways From Flyers Loss vs. Kraken The Philadelphia Flyers knew this homestand wasn't going to be easy. But they certainly didn't want it to go like this. Get To Know New Flyers Winger Nikita Grebenkin The Philadelphia Flyers made waves with their Deadline Day trade of sending center Scott Laughton to the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for 22-year-old Russian winger Nikita Grebenkin and a first-round pick in the in 2027 NHL Draft. Matvei Michkov Named NHL Rookie Of The Month For February Philadelphia Flyers winger Matvei Michkov has been named the NHL's Rookie of the Month for the month of February. He led all rookies in goals (5) and points (10).
Yahoo
08-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Three Takeaways From Flyers Loss vs. Kraken
The Philadelphia Flyers knew this homestand wasn't going to be easy. But they certainly didn't want it to go like this. After a frustrating 4-1 loss to the Seattle Kraken, the Flyers have now dropped three straight at home, and this one felt particularly disheartening. They had their chances—plenty of them—but simply couldn't finish. The power play remained lifeless, the defensive breakdowns were costly, and the energy just wasn't there for long enough stretches of the game. Sean Couturier didn't sugarcoat it, calling it an 'ugly' loss. John Tortorella was even blunter, saying, 'It's going in the wrong direction as each game's gone by, and we've gotten worse.' However, with a game against the Devils looming tomorrow, the Flyers don't have time to dwell on it. 1. The Flyers Had Their Chances, but They Couldn't Finish There are losses where a team gets completely outplayed, and then there are losses like this—where the Flyers had every opportunity to score but just couldn't capitalize. They controlled stretches of the game, created quality looks, and tested Seattle's defense. But none of it mattered because they simply couldn't put the puck in the net, besides Owen Tippett's goal in the dying seconds of the first period. Whatever works! ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ #SEAvsPHI | #LetsGoFlyers — Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) March 8, 2025 It wasn't just bad luck. There were moments of overthinking, missed nets, and some genuinely spectacular goaltending from Philipp Grubauer, who turned aside 23 of 24 shots. But the Flyers didn't do themselves any favors, either. Too often, they settled for perimeter play instead of forcing their way into the dirty areas. In games like these, where the offense isn't clicking, special teams become even more critical. That leads us right into the next takeaway. 2. The Powerplay Continues to Frustrate At this point, it's not just a rough patch. And something's gotta give. The Flyers had ample powerplay opportunities in this game, but once again, they couldn't get anything going. They finished 0-for-5, extending their drought and raising even more concerns about their ability to generate offense when it matters most. Tortorella didn't mince words postgame, saying, 'It's going in the wrong direction as each game's gone by, and we've gotten worse.' That's a pretty damning statement from a coach who has been reluctant to even discuss the powerplay in detail at times this season. But the frustration is understandable—the Flyers' man advantage has been a glaring pitfall of their game, and it's actively hurting their chances to win. The biggest issue? A lack of movement. Too often, the Flyers' powerplay gets stagnant, allowing penalty killers to stay in their structure without much effort. They aren't generating enough high-danger looks, and they're struggling to break down defensive units that stay disciplined. If the Flyers want to stay in the playoff hunt, they have to find a way to fix this. They don't need to be an elite powerplay team—they just need to be somewhat dangerous, just a little more productive. Right now, they're just not that. 3. The Defense Struggled, and the Laughton Trade Looms Large Cam York was a healthy scratch for this one, with Emil Andrae stepping in. The idea was to give York a reset, but the defensive struggles persisted, and it's fair to wonder if taking him out actually helped anything. Jamie Drysdale continues to show improvement but as a whole, the defense wasn't sharp enough. Sam Ersson had a better night than his previous starts, making 29 saves and keeping the Flyers in the game for as long as he could. But even he admitted he'd like a couple of those goals back. "[My play] has not been up to my standards here the last few games," he said postgame. "It's up to me to find my game again and find it quick." And beyond individual performances, the defensive breakdowns were the real issue. The Flyers lost track of Seattle's forwards too often, allowing them to get into prime scoring areas without much resistance. The absence of Scott Laughton and Erik Johnson, both of whom were dealt at the trade deadline, was felt in this game. Tippett acknowledged that losing veteran voices in the locker room does have an effect, but he made it clear that it's no excuse. "This is our group for the rest of the year," he said. "We've gotta find ways to win." That's the right mindset, but it's also worth noting that this is a group that just lost two players who brought experience and stability. Laughton, in particular, was a heart-and-soul guy, someone who did the little things that don't always show up on the scoresheet. His absence won't just be felt for one game—it's something the Flyers will have to adjust to moving forward. Final Thoughts The Flyers weren't completely hopeless. They had their moments. But they weren't sharp enough in the areas that mattered most—finishing their chances, executing on the power play, and keeping things locked down defensively. The loss to Seattle doesn't sink them, but it does reinforce the issues that have been creeping into their game over the past week. With the Devils on deck tomorrow, there's no time to dwell on it. They need to shake this one off, tighten things up, and get back to the style of hockey that made them so tough to play against earlier in the season. Tortorella's words were blunt, but they weren't wrong: This team has gotten worse over the past few games. The question now is whether they can stop the slide before it's too late. Get To Know New Flyers Winger Nikita Grebenkin The Philadelphia Flyers made waves with their Deadline Day trade of sending center Scott Laughton to the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for 22-year-old Russian winger Nikita Grebenkin and a first-round pick in the in 2027 NHL Draft. Scott Laughton Traded To Maple Leafs Philadelphia Flyers center Scott Laughton has been traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Jakob Pelletier Speaks On First Game Against Flames; Settling In With Flyers Jakob Pelletier knew this game was coming.
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Jets Look To End Three Game Slide Against The Flyers
The Winnipeg Jets will take on the Philadelphia Flyers tonight as they look to end their three-game losing streak. The Jets' offence has struggled as of late, scoring two or fewer goals in four of their last five games. Their three losses have been by one goal in each game, losing in a shootout against the Flyers on Saturday. One bright spot against the New York Islanders on Tuesday was the power play coming alive. Both goals came from the top unit, ending a long drought. Unfortunately, the 5-on-5 offence couldn't generate enough scoring chances in a tight-checking game, ultimately resulting in a 3-2 loss. The Flyers have been inconsistent since returning from the 4 Nations Face-Off break, looking strong against the Edmonton Oilers and Pittsburgh Penguins before blowout losses to the Penguins and Calgary Flames. In the middle of those games was the 2-1 shootout triumph. Consistent hockey at all three levels will be the key tonight for the Jets. John Tortorella expects his teams to be defensively sound and difficult to play against. Starting the game slow against the Flyers is a recipe for disaster and makes picking up the two points extremely difficult. Eric Comrie will get the start tonight against Samuel Ersson. Comrie has been stringing together multiple quality starts and is deserving of the extra ice time. Rasmus Kupari has been placed in the concussion protocol and will be replaced by David Gustafsson. Dylan Samberg will also return to the lineup after missing Tuesday's affair due to "family reasons." Haydn Fleury will be a healthy scratch once again. Stay updated with the most interesting Jets stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favourites on Google News to never miss a story.
