Tortellini

[Cock Throppled]

I've never liked Stock, but a lot of very good analysts never had successful careers. Joe Garagiola comes to mind in baseball.

You want to bring up career records? Why is John Tortorella a coach in a league in which he never played a single game?

Stock was right about trying to make the league look professional and those kind of things dragging it backwards. Tortorella could have started his first line and told each player to back off to the bench if anything started like the Russians have suckered Canada in the past. Voila - instant 2 man PP, game over and Calgary looks like fools. Instead Tortorella, suffering from small penis syndrome has to show he's as tough as the other guy. Hope he gets suspended for the rest of the year. Trying to get into the dressing room? What a classless fool.

What would have happened? Most likely he would get himself thrashed, then draw his own players to join in to defend him and get them suspended.
Just the clear-headed, rational decision making you want from a head coach.

 

[87112]

Wasn't in the building or watching or TV, didn't the fans love it, being Canadians fans who know it all I would think it was a blast for them.

 

[badbadboy]

So Wiles in The Province is betting Torts gets six game suspension plus a hefty fine. Sounds about right.

They will make an example of him.

 

[1nitestan]

Hartley got fined $25k for telling his player, Wesgarth to "make something happen" off the opening face off.

I say 15 games is well worth the effort for Torts. It's been a long ass time since a coach has had his players' backs this intensely in the Vancouver locker room. Hopefully this fires up the team. none of this shit would've happened if that pussy Hartley would've been a man and stood face to face while Torts was calling him out instead of hiding behind his team.

 

[bcneil]

Hartley got fined $25k for telling his player, Wesgarth to "make something happen" off the opening face off.

I say 15 games is well worth the effort for Torts. It's been a long ass time since a coach has had his players' backs this intensely in the Vancouver locker room. Hopefully this fires up the team. none of this shit would've happened if that pussy Hartley would've been a man and stood face to face while Torts was calling him out instead of hiding behind his team.

He got 15 days, there is 6 games in that time.

 

[sevenofnine]

He was the best thing to happen to the flames another boring season, why bother watching.

I slept through the game until Torts did his thing.

 

[vancity_cowboy]

hah... the leaugue probably put torts and hartley up to it fer fucks sake!!!

 

[AA_Train]

you want to go into Torts stuff fine:

He went to the University of Maine. Where he has a degree from, as he Graduated back in 1981.

Tortorella, played right wing for three years (1978–81) at the University of Maine Black Bears of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).
After college Tortorella went to Sweden to play a year in Kristianstads IK (1981-82), after which he came back to the US to play four years of minor pro hockey (1982–86) in the Atlantic Coast Hockey League (ACHL).
During these years he skated with the Hampton Roads Gulls, Erie Golden Blades, Nashville South Stars and the Virginia Lancers.

So sure he never played a game in the NHL or the AHL even. However, as a coach what has he done.

On March 11, 2008 with the Lightning defeat of the New York Islanders, Tortorella passed "Badger" Bob Johnson as the most successful American-born NHL coach with 235 victories.
On March 26, 2013 with a 5-2 defeat of Peter Laviolette's Flyers, John Tortorella became the first U.S.-born coach to reach 400 career victories.

Stanley Cup in 2003/ 2004
Tampa Bay Lightning ran away with the Southeast Division title, tallying 106 points--the second-best record in the league.
The Lightning were the top seed in the Eastern Conference and proceeded to defeat the New York Islanders, the Montreal Canadians, and the Philadelphia Flyers to win the Prince of Wales Trophy and the Eastern Conference Championship.
In the Stanley Cup Finals, they defeated the Western Conference champion Calgary Flames four games to three, winning the first Stanley Cup in franchise history.

In doing so Tortorella became just the third American-born coach to win it and the first in 13 years.
A few days after winning the Stanley Cup, Tortorella won the 2004 Jack Adams Award as NHL coach of the year.

So what has the whiny little Bitch known as PJ Stock contributed to hockey.

Bruised fists, dragged knuckles, lack of grey matter, a penchant for declaring the fking obvious and a spot on CBC on HNIC that shouldn't be his.

When the Canadiens coaching job was vacant, I wanted them to hire either him or Ken Hitchcock because they are proven winners. The best coaches are rarely star players and more often than not, star players don't make great coaches ("cough" Gretzky "cough" ). torts sticks to his guns and right or wrong, you have to respect that. apart from displaying beyond a shadow of a doubt that he has his players' backs, what impressed me was how he regretted what happened happened during Kellan Lain's first NHL shift and how he would regret it the rest of his days. When he scored his first NHL goal, it almost seemed as if Lain and the hockey gods forgave him for it, as almost to vindicate the decision as something good came out of it. I hope this provides some spark the Canucks sorely need. That and another top six forward.

 

[Cock Throppled]

Well, Tortorella has certainly worked magic with the Canucks so far this year.

They can beat Calgary and Edmonton almost every time.

 

[badbadboy]

Well, Tortorella has certainly worked magic with the Canucks so far this year.

They can beat Calgary and Edmonton almost every time.

It was brutal watching the game last night. It really showed how weak our team has become this year.

Gillis best have a plan for the trade deadline or in the off season or he will be out on his fat ass too.

 

[Peyton Anders]

Like I've been saying all year: They aren't good enough. The problem is Gillis and the coaching staff. They refuse to trade their blue chip prospects for a goal scorer. So they sign guys like Prospal. Yet, they absolutely refuse to give their youngsters any playtime on the Canucks. So nothing gets done. These guys are the older version of the '07 Canucks.

I know it's early, but, Valeri Nichuskin would have looked great in a Canucks uniform.

1) Prospal turned down the AHL PTO, he chose to retire instead. He said his heart wasn't in it any longer and he wasn't going to do a disservice by not being completely committed to the team.

2) Prospal wouldn't have cost assets. If you want to condemn Gillis for other choices that's fine but when your prospect depth is shallow, trading away youth or blue chips for rentals is how you become Calgary circa the last 15 years.

3) Nichushkin is streaky and rides a line with Benn and Seguin. In fact, he was a healthy scratch the last 6 games and prior to that Ruff had him on the 3rd and 4th lines because he wasn't playing well at all. There's also no expectations of playoffs in Dallas, the pressure he has to face is incredibly low. Unless you're a big fan of gifting minutes to rookies he wouldn't be awarded the same liberty in Vancouver where he would be crucified like Kassian was for his lack of effort in games.

4) There is a cap and you can't circumvent it anymore thanks to Burke's "Luongo Rule". Gillis can't change the value of a dollar, lower league minimum or force players to sign deals worth 25% of the players' actual values. I'm sure everyone will complain that Gillis doesn't sell off valuable assets for low value to acquire "the preshusssssss cap space". Because this is the internet the OPTION of signing a totally different player is obviously the superior choice to actually having a player. And because we love the internet, these people would inevitably complain if Gillis did move an asset because no matter the return, it will still be seen as too little (cough Schneider cough).

5) Gillis has made efforts to improve the team via trade and free agency. He started with Sundin, you know, the guy the Sedins and Kesler credit for their jumps in development. Then their was Demetra. Samuelsson was amazing here as a FA acquisition until his injuries really killed his game. How was Gillis supposed to know that Booth (a former 30G scorer and 60pt player) was going to have his career dive off a cliff after the Porter knee in Dec 2011? What about Roy, a skilled centerman that was woefully underutilized by Vigneault. Am I forgetting any others? Yes letting Hoffer walk was a mistake. However Ehrhoff was only a Canuck because Gillis robbed the Sharks by trading for him using Daniel Rahimi and Patrick fucking White (don't remember them? That's my point.)

There are times I'm completely ashamed to be a Canucks fan. Not because of the team but because I have never encountered another fanbase who feels so entitled to win a cup. I have never heard a Sharks fan or Blues fan complain about playoff failure like Canucks fans do. Either that or others just want to watch Gillis/Torts/the whole team fail just so they can sit on their lofty Internet post and proclaim that "they were right all along!" when the team doesn't live up to the unrealistic expectations. People need to realize that when you've been at the top the only place to go is down. Chicago had two consecutive first round exits between their cups and Pittsburgh has proceeded to to sweet fuck all after 2009. But because this is Vancouver it's never good enough.

I'd also like to remind others that Philadelphia made the playoffs as an 8th seed in 2010 after winning a shootout in the last game of the year. They went on to face Chicago in the finals with Michael fucking Leighton in net. LA won the cup after an OT win against the Sharks in 2012. If they had lost in regulation they wouldn't have made the playoffs. People need to realize that making the playoffs makes you a playoffs team. Anything can happen in the post-season and contrary to popular belief, you can't make and x's and o's plan to win a cup. A lot of it is luck.

/end rant

 

[badbadboy]

With respect, Peyton. I know you know your stuff on all things related to hockey. Canuck fans have been long suffering since 1970. Forty-four years this year and I can attest it has been difficult. Yes we feel entitled to a Cup as do all fans. I have seen games in other arenas around the league when I travel on biz. ALL other fans are passionate as we are here.

Only the Leafs, Winnipeg, Vancouver and Ottawa have not won a cup in modern history. They all are as passionate about a cup as we are in Canada.

With my last post about Gillis, I do think he is toast this year as he has been riding the Nonis / Burke era coat tails for too long. He needs to shake up the personnel this year. Last nights game really showed the complacency the Nucks have now.

They play like they work for the Post Office punching the clock. Some butts need to be tossed to the curb.

I know yah we have had a few nice pickups that didn't cost us much but look at the whole picture, we are out of the playoffs at this time. This is Harvest Season. We should be eating the Pred's lunch but no, we let them dominate the puck all night.

End of rant, have a great weekend

 

[Peyton Anders]

With respect, Peyton. I know you know your stuff on all things related to hockey. Canuck fans have been long suffering since 1970. Forty-four years this year and I can attest it has been difficult. Yes we feel entitled to a Cup as do all fans. I have seen games in other arenas around the league when I travel on biz. ALL other fans are passionate as we are here.

Only the Leafs, Winnipeg, Vancouver and Ottawa have not won a cup in modern history. They all are as passionate about a cup as we are in Canada.

With my last post about Gillis, I do think he is toast this year as he has been riding the Nonis / Burke era coat tails for too long. He needs to shake up the personnel this year. Last nights game really showed the complacency the Nucks have now.

They play like they work for the Post Office punching the clock. Some butts need to be tossed to the curb.

I know yah we have had a few nice pickups that didn't cost us much but look at the whole picture, we are out of the playoffs at this time. This is Harvest Season. We should be eating the Pred's lunch but no, we let them dominate the puck all night.

End of rant, have a great weekend

Oh I do think Gillis has a lot of work to do to keep his position. I just don't think he's as terrible as people are painting the picture to be. And believe me, I want a cup in Vancouver just as much as any diehard.

 

[Man in Submission]

1) I'd also like to remind others that Philadelphia made the playoffs as an 8th seed in 2010 after winning a shootout in the last game of the year.

Thanks a lot for bringing that one up Peyton ... that was a Top 3 Worst Moment as a Rangers fan (and that is saying something). Will never forget that Sunday afternoon. Figured Lundqvist vs. the Flyers Goalie du Jour in a shootout for a playoff spot ... ahhhhh:frusty: BTW, that was the only season the Rangers missed the playoffs under Torts.

Ok let the Canucks bashing resume. :violin:

 

[badbadboy]

Oh I do think Gillis has a lot of work to do to keep his position. I just don't think he's as terrible as people are painting the picture to be. And believe me, I want a cup in Vancouver just as much as any diehard.

:thumb: Yup we are on the same page. Don't you think as a former agent, Gillis is fairly low down on GM's speed dial. Those older Eastern GM's have a long memory, right?

 

[Peyton Anders]

:thumb: Yup we are on the same page. Don't you think as a former agent, Gillis is fairly low down on GM's speed dial. Those older Eastern GM's have a long memory, right?

Oh yeah. No one likes an agent or lawyer. He's not the most likeable guy in the league, though he was quite integral in vaulting the Canucks to the position of being one of the better run organizations in the league. His willingness to utilize advanced statistics, sleep doctors and other non-conventional professionals was quite ingenious.

One aspect I'm 100% confident on is Gillis' ability to sign free agents to good deals. I believe that if he maintains the roster this season without making any Hail Mary deadline deals the team will be better off in the long run. The Canucks actually have a fair amount of space to work with come July once they buy out Booth, it could be very beneficial to suffer through one subpar season to make the team better.

I must say, I have a lot more faith in the Canucks now than I did in 2012 after the cup run. The West has pretty much reverted to dead-puck with the emergence of LA, STL and ANA. I feel that having a 'stiffer' team is better. I do think that many fans put too much importance on the effect coaching has on offense. Torts can't teach the players how to put a puck in the back of the net, but I feel a lot more confident that they're making the right plays to get there. The Sedins are playing through injury and Burrows is struggling, it's obvious that the system is doing the 'right things', the players just aren't finishing like they normally do.

I think the saying "you're never as good as you are at your best but you're never as bad as you are at your worst" is pretty accurate in describing the Canucks this season.

 

[Peyton Anders]

Thanks a lot for bringing that one up Peyton ... that was a Top 3 Worst Moment as a Rangers fan (and that is saying something). Will never forget that Sunday afternoon. Figured Lundqvist vs. the Flyers Goalie du Jour in a shootout for a playoff spot ... ahhhhh:frusty: BTW, that was the only season the Rangers missed the playoffs under Torts.

Ok let the Canucks bashing resume. :violin:

I'm sorry for rubbing salt in the wound my friend. I'm sure you're experiencing enough anxiety with Vigneault running Talbot over Lundqvist.

 

[badbadboy]

Oh yeah. No one likes an agent or lawyer. He's not the most likeable guy in the league, though he was quite integral in vaulting the Canucks to the position of being one of the better run organizations in the league. His willingness to utilize advanced statistics, sleep doctors and other non-conventional professionals was quite ingenious.

One aspect I'm 100% confident on is Gillis' ability to sign free agents to good deals. I believe that if he maintains the roster this season without making any Hail Mary deadline deals the team will be better off in the long run. The Canucks actually have a fair amount of space to work with come July once they buy out Booth, it could be very beneficial to suffer through one subpar season to make the team better.

I must say, I have a lot more faith in the Canucks now than I did in 2012 after the cup run. The West has pretty much reverted to dead-puck with the emergence of LA, STL and ANA. I feel that having a 'stiffer' team is better. I do think that many fans put too much importance on the effect coaching has on offense. Torts can't teach the players how to put a puck in the back of the net, but I feel a lot more confident that they're making the right plays to get there. The Sedins are playing through injury and Burrows is struggling, it's obvious that the system is doing the 'right things', the players just aren't finishing like they normally do.

I think the saying "you're never as good as you are at your best but you're never as bad as you are at your worst" is pretty accurate in describing the Canucks this season.

Buying out Booth won't happen til July. Nucks are missing two key parts: tough as nails skilled forward and one asshole D Man. Neither of which would come cheap nor easily as in what GM would give them up??

Anyways I enjoy your posts on Hockey; you are even handed yet realistic without putting people down if we have an opposing opinion. :thumb:

 

[Peyton Anders]

Buying out Booth won't happen til July. Nucks are missing two key parts: tough as nails skilled forward and one asshole D Man. Neither of which would come cheap nor easily as in what GM would give them up??

Anyways I enjoy your posts on Hockey; you are even handed yet realistic without putting people down if we have an opposing opinion. :thumb:

Honestly I think Kassian will be that forward and that defenseman is supposed to be Bieksa. The issue stems from Kassian still learning to be a consistent player and balancing his temper, and also because Bieksa thinks he's the reincarnation of Bobby Orr 8 times out of 10. You never know what player you get with him. It's either Juice (the mean-as-fuck, punishing defenseman with a decent offensive skillset) or Casual Kev (the 'I'm going to rush the puck end to end and try and dance around 3 players in the process while turning the puck over, leading to an odd-man rush' defenseman).

I think my hockey talk stems from modding hockey boards. As a Big Wig I'm not allowed to make fun of people directly, I can only criticize opinions without flaming.

 

[badbadboy]

Honestly I think Kassian will be that forward and that defenseman is supposed to be Bieksa. The issue stems from Kassian still learning to be a consistent player and balancing his temper, and also because Bieksa thinks he's the reincarnation of Bobby Orr 8 times out of 10. You never know what player you get with him. It's either Juice (the mean-as-fuck, punishing defenseman with a decent offensive skillset) or Casual Kev (the 'I'm going to rush the puck end to end and try and dance around 3 players in the process while turning the puck over, leading to an odd-man rush' defenseman).

I think my hockey talk stems from modding hockey boards. As a Big Wig I'm not allowed to make fun of people directly, I can only criticize opinions without flaming.

We digress, Bieksa has a long road ahead to be another #4!

Kassian, yah he has a long way to go with a lot of upside. Work in progress so to speak.

Edit oh I didn't read the last part. You can say as you want. These are only opinions. Everyone has one