Torts Not on Hot Seat This Season
In his Friday mailbag, Craig Custance at ESPN Insider was asked if John Tortorella's seat was getting warm due to the Rangers early season struggles...
"Not this season. Tortorella is a great coach, but he's one with a shelf life. That's a tough style to play over a long period of time, but I'm confident that team turns the corner this season. He'll get them going. Now, if they miss the playoffs, then you start those conversations."
...agree with Custance here. Even if the Rangers struggle with inconsistency for the remainer of the year and God forbid missed the playoffs I don't think Torts gets fired this summer. However, there will be offseason grumblings about him needing a quick start to the 2013-14 season. If the team continues its poor play next October, then yes I can see him gone by November.
...always hate talking negative hypotheticals, so what's really going to happen is that Torts guides the Rangers to the Stanley Cup this Spring and he'll be here for the next 10 years.
Custance also says that Tortorella is Penguin head coach Dan Bylsma's main competition for head coach of the 2014 US Olympic team.
...i'd actually like to see a Tortorella game plan in the Olympics. His hard forechecking style would be a major hindrance to the European teams that usually shy away from the physical play. It's also the only way they'd be able to compete against Team Canada. Have to match their toughness as well as get in the defenders' face and not let them easily outlet the puck to guys like Stamkos and Giroux. A couple of hits on Crosby would also be nice.
...even if Torts doesn't get the top job, assuming he'll still be back behind Team USA's bench.
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If we miss the playoffs this year, he has to be on the hot seat. You don't miss the playoffs with a team with this much talent.
Not sure why it wouldn't be outside of last season have two first round exit (including one where he blew it against Caps) and one missed playoffs. Another missed playoffs or first round exit would be unacceptable.
Not sure why it wouldn't be outside of last season have two first round exit (including one where he blew it against Caps) and one missed playoffs. Another missed playoffs or first round exit would be unacceptable.
I'm not a fan of Torts, but definitely agree with your assessment. Still, I'd like to see him grow up a little, as I also agree with Frank's comments, which is my main beef with Torts. It's sort of like Jon Gruden and why he can't coach young QBs without giving them a complex. Hey, "we learn by doing." That doesn't mean you can keep making the sames mistakes, especially on a professional team, but work with people for Pete's sake.
I'm not a fan of Torts, but definitely agree with your assessment. Still, I'd like to see him grow up a little, as I also agree with Frank's comments, which is my main beef with Torts. It's sort of like Jon Gruden and why he can't coach young QBs without giving them a complex. Hey, "we learn by doing." That doesn't mean you can keep making the sames mistakes, especially on a professional team, but work with people for Pete's sake.
Dont like seeing atories like this honestly... They are getting better and better each game and people that put these out, to me thnk its over and they are playing much better hockey!
Dont like seeing atories like this honestly... They are getting better and better each game and people that put these out, to me thnk its over and they are playing much better hockey!
In my estimation...Torts has become a little overbearing on his players. Every time a player makes a mistake, gives up a goal...he has this nasty scowl on his face. He won't let the player play. After awhile, the team just tunes him out. I think this is slowly happening.
In my estimation...Torts has become a little overbearing on his players. Every time a player makes a mistake, gives up a goal...he has this nasty scowl on his face. He won't let the player play. After awhile, the team just tunes him out. I think this is slowly happening.
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Why does Sullivan take the heat for the power play? The power play has been awful the entire time Torts has been here. He's the coach. He deserves the rap. And can't argure they don't have the talent. 5-3 is even worse than the 5-4.
@rangersfan Sullivan gets crap because he's in charge of the power play. Similar to the offensive coordinator being criticized in football when the offense struggles.
@KevinDeLury @rangersfan Pretty sure Torts put him and left him in charge despite piss poor results.
@Chriserwin exactly - they both bear responsibility! If you believe in torts you have to believe in his choices even with Sullivan arguably being the PP coach in history!!!
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@ATCRyan Assume since he's not gone already he's probably going to be here for awhile. Which is ridiculous.
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@KevinDeLury he's like a weatherman - can be wrong 99% of the time still keep his job and actually get raises... Oh wait that sounds like Bettman.
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or bring to a complete halt the very reason league exists on, what 3 different occasions? and keep your job.
@TheNYRBlog dude ,not a chance in hell even if we lost this following year . Torts is a fixture @ MSG & a Dolan fav? He's here another 5 yrs
@MrRanger94 I don't know. Miss the playoffs with a Cup contender then struggle out the gate the following year? Not sure he can survive that
@TheNYRBlog he won't miss but he's gold here , he's Bobby Bowden set as the HC & the face of NYR hockey . IMO he'll be here a decade in all.
@TheNYRBlog that's what I mean , Ron smith , Ron low , Tom Webster , Brian trottier .... Thank your lucky stars we got Torts ...I do !
@MrRanger94 Oh, I do. I don't think that scenario plays out at all. But for purposes of our hypothetical urguement I think hed be in trouble
@TheNYRBlog had to clean up a mess & sweep out a losing lazy culture - he's on his way now , got his players & on page w his GM.
@MrRanger94 Bowden was around forever because he won. Outside of last year Torts hasn't as NYR head coach. And I like him.
@TheNYRBlog it's only the fans who put him on the hot seat and they'll do that to anyone. No loyalty its so sad.
@TheNYRBlog Its bananas that fans would even consider Torts being on the hot seat. Shortened season, new players, hard to find chemistry
