The Philadelphia Flyers were relatively quiet in the offseason. Their biggest move was adding John Tortorella as the 23rd head coach in franchise history.
Under the hard-nosed Tortorella, the players know they need to perform or they won’t be in the lineup.
So far, the players seem pleased to have a coach who will hold them accountable.
“I’m excited to see what Torts is able to bring out of me,” towering left winger Isaac Ratcliffe told Jason Myrtetus on a recent Flyers podcast.
Tortorella is “very demanding from what I’ve heard,” veteran forward Scott Laughton said in an interview last week with Philly Hockey Now. “And I think our team and our group needs that, so I think the guys are eager to get going and really push ourselves.”
The Philadelphia Flyers are buying in. Most of the veterans have arrived at the team’s Voorhees training facility two weeks ahead of the start of training camp. They know Camp Torts won’t be easy, and they want to be ready.
It will be interesting to see if the players’ readiness will translate to success when the season rolls around on Oct. 13.
“I just want to be part of something and try to get some success,” Tortorella, a two-time Coach of the Year who is the second-winningest American-born coach in NHL history, told me earlier this summer. “I want to develop some of the youth of the team, and try to get us to play the right way as a team.”
NHL & National Hockey Now news and trade rumors
Philly Hockey Now: We rated the Flyers’ top 10 prospects, and there’s a new player atop our list. Philadelphia Flyers.
Philly Hockey Now: The Flyers’ iconic jersey did not fare well in a poll among NHL fans. Hard to believe, Harry. Philadelphia Flyers.
Montreal Hockey Now: There are trade whispers in Montreal, which is trying to make a deal before extending Kirby Dach’s contract. Montreal Canadiens.
Calgary Hockey Now: Talk about an on-the-fly summer redo! Goodbye, Johnny Gaudreau and Matthew Tkachuk. Hello, Nazem Kadri, Johnathan Huberdeau, MacKenzie Weegar. The moves will scramble the lines significantly. Calgary Flames.
Pittsburgh Hockey Now: The Penguins released their veteran and rookie camp rosters. Pittsburgh Penguins.
New York Islanders Hockey Now: Former Philadelphia Flyers center Nate Thompson learned the definition of “rowdy” while playing for the Islanders at the Coliseum. New York Islanders.
Washington Hockey Now: More players are joining the Caps’ informal skates, and things are starting to intensify as camp approaches, writes Sammi Silber. Washington Capitals.
Florida Hockey Now: Will the Panthers put Matthew Tkachuk on a Super Line with captain Sasha Barkov? George Richards weighs in. Florida Panthers.
Vegas Hockey Now: Prospect Brendan Brisson, 20, has a shot at making Vegas’ roster. Vegas Golden Knights.
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