The Official 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

**SidVish** · 05-10-2012, 09:04 AM

Re: The Official 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

Torts after game 6 loss:

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**ASB37** · 05-10-2012, 10:18 AM

Re: The Official 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

Originally posted by SidVish

Torts after game 6 loss:

That's actually a pretty lengthy and generous post game presser for Torts after a loss.

His presser after game 4 was literally 30 seconds long.

**NYRBlue88** · 05-10-2012, 10:57 AM

Re: The Official 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

Originally posted by ASB37

That's actually a pretty lengthy and generous post game presser for Torts after a loss.

His presser after game 4 was literally 30 seconds long.

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I can't say as I blame Torts in every case. Yes, he can be a jerk but the media (NY and that idiot Larry Brooks in particular) love to bait him. It's what sells so they bait him on things such as the refs blowing calls and the opposing team's strategies. The NY media does it deliberately. Torts has said repeatedly, he now won't comment on another team when it comes to how they conduct their business. Yet, it keeps coming up. He will comment on how well another team played or what they did effectively. He has said that he won't discuss his own team's strategies. Yet, the media keeps asking. The media is just too dumb to get that.

Furthermore, outside media, in particular, just ask dumb questions that shows they really don't do their homework and know anything about this team. My favorite recent moment is when a media writer asked him "why did you only have one coach with you on the bench?" He replied, "it's been that way all year, what the hell kind of question is that?" I loved it! I love how he speaks his mind on such things. He doesn't want his time wasted especially when he has committed time to answering questions about the NY Rangers. It is what it is and the media should know better by now. Is it any different then what Bill Parcells, for example, would do?

I always laugh at those who label him as a complainer. Give me a break! Every coach does it at some point. So do GMs (i.e Brian Burke) and team presidents/owners (i.e Mario Lemieux). Torts didn't invent complaining about another team's play or refs or dirty hits.

The problem with Torts isn't his press conferences. It's how he juggles the lines every five minutes and kills chemistry. It's his oddball way of punishing players and his head-scratcher strategies late in games. He doesn't have patience with his own team and doesn't know how to use players to their strengths on a consistent basis. He has blind faith in guys like Boyle and Prust to have them put into every situation. Boyle and Prust should never be on one of the top 2 lines. They are grinders who are great in defensive situations.
According the Brad Richards, Torts wasn't this way in TB during their cup run in '04. If the Rangers lose game 7, a lot of it falls on the coaching.

Now how do I get down from this soapbox?

**NYRBlue88** · 05-10-2012, 11:13 AM

Re: The Official 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

Originally posted by Kobalt

Oh HFBoards.

That's awesome! HFboards (in the Stanley Cup thread) has done an amazing job with GIFs. The Bruce Boudreau/KFC stuff is awesome. They are getting great mileage out of Bickel and Doughty. Great stuff!

**ASB37** · 05-10-2012, 01:14 PM

Re: The Official 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

Originally posted by NYRBlue88

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I can't say as I blame Torts in every case. Yes, he can be a jerk but the media (NY and that idiot Larry Brooks in particular) love to bait him. It's what sells so they bait him on things such as the refs blowing calls and the opposing team's strategies. The NY media does it deliberately. Torts has said repeatedly, he now won't comment on another team when it comes to how they conduct their business. Yet, it keeps coming up. He will comment on how well another team played or what they did effectively. He has said that he won't discuss his own team's strategies. Yet, the media keeps asking. The media is just too dumb to get that.

Furthermore, outside media, in particular, just ask dumb questions that shows they really don't do their homework and know anything about this team. My favorite recent moment is when a media writer asked him "why did you only have one coach with you on the bench?" He replied, "it's been that way all year, what the hell kind of question is that?" I loved it! I love how he speaks his mind on such things. He doesn't want his time wasted especially when he has committed time to answering questions about the NY Rangers. It is what it is and the media should know better by now. Is it any different then what Bill Parcells, for example, would do?

I always laugh at those who label him as a complainer. Give me a break! Every coach does it at some point. So do GMs (i.e Brian Burke) and team presidents/owners (i.e Mario Lemieux). Torts didn't invent complaining about another team's play or refs or dirty hits.

The problem with Torts isn't his press conferences. It's how he juggles the lines every five minutes and kills chemistry. It's his oddball way of punishing players and his head-scratcher strategies late in games. He doesn't have patience with his own team and doesn't know how to use players to their strengths on a consistent basis. He has blind faith in guys like Boyle and Prust to have them put into every situation. Boyle and Prust should never be on one of the top 2 lines. They are grinders who are great in defensive situations.
According the Brad Richards, Torts wasn't this way in TB during their cup run in '04. If the Rangers lose game 7, a lot of it falls on the coaching.

Now how do I get down from this soapbox?

I agree, a ton of people complain about Torts, especially on HFboards, which is unbearable lately.

The NY media is ruthless and frankly Torts is a no-nonsense kind of guy. Tom Coughlin has won 2 superbowls with the NY Giants yet he's been fired by the media at least a half a dozen times. Torts knows there is no point to bending over backwards to cater to these clowns.

Again, his job is to coach so I can care less about what he says to the media, I find alot of what he says to them entertaining. What I don't find entertaining is how he has been outcoached by Paul MacLean and Dale Hunter thus far in the playoffs.

Brian Boyle has scored one point since being hurt, and he's centering the 2nd line. I get that he was clutch for us in the Ottawa series but the dude is probably playing through some lingering concussion stuff. Why Stepan isn't up on the 2nd line is beyond me, I think he's 2nd in the team in assists in the post season.

**DrJones** · 05-10-2012, 01:57 PM

Re: The Official 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

Bravo.

» Is the Puck-Over-Glass Rule the Dumbest Regulation in Sports?

http://www.grantland.com/blog/the-triangle/post/_/id/26365/is-the-puck-over-glass-rule-the-dumbest-regulation-in-sports

**NYRBlue88** · 05-10-2012, 02:20 PM

Re: The Official 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

Originally posted by ASB37

I agree, a ton of people complain about Torts, especially on HFboards, which is unbearable lately.

The NY media is ruthless and frankly Torts is a no-nonsense kind of guy. Tom Coughlin has won 2 superbowls with the NY Giants yet he's been fired by the media at least a half a dozen times. Torts knows there is no point to bending over backwards to cater to these clowns.

Again, his job is to coach so I can care less about what he says to the media, I find alot of what he says to them entertaining. What I don't find entertaining is how he has been outcoached by Paul MacLean and Dale Hunter thus far in the playoffs.

Brian Boyle has scored one point since being hurt, and he's centering the 2nd line. I get that he was clutch for us in the Ottawa series but the dude is probably playing through some lingering concussion stuff. Why Stepan isn't up on the 2nd line is beyond me, I think he's 2nd in the team in assists in the post season.

Well said!
Here is what I don't get...why do fans of other teams care so much about what Torts says in a press conference? More importantly, why do the great majority of them seem to be fans of teams no longer in the playoffs? Hmmm...

Bottomline: Who cares what someone says after a game. Torts is pissed after a playoff loss (and he should be) and maybe - just maybe - he doesn't need to answer a stupid question about why he called a timeout in the 2nd period. If the media watched the game, they could figure out the team just iced the puck and needed a rest.

100% agree on your comments on Boyle and Stepan. I just don't get the logic from Torts. Stepan has chemistry with Kreider and Callahan. With Torts, if they have two bad shifts, he breaks them up and one of them ends up on the 4th line.

**ASB37** · 05-10-2012, 02:46 PM

Re: The Official 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

Originally posted by NYRBlue88

Well said!
Here is what I don't get...why do fans of other teams care so much about what Torts says in a press conference? More importantly, why do the great majority of them seem to be fans of teams no longer in the playoffs? Hmmm...

Bottomline: Who cares what someone says after a game. Torts is pissed after a playoff loss (and he should be) and maybe - just maybe - he doesn't need to answer a stupid question about why he called a timeout in the 2nd period. If the media watched the game, they could figure out the team just iced the puck and needed a rest.

100% agree on your comments on Boyle and Stepan. I just don't get the logic from Torts. Stepan has chemistry with Kreider and Callahan. With Torts, if they have two bad shifts, he breaks them up and one of them ends up on the 4th line.

Torts' doghouse is an enigma to me. With most coaches you have a certain amount of trust built up so that when one mistake is made you don't necessarily get benched if you've built up enough good will.

I read somewhere that Rupp, Feds, and Prust haven't scored a goal since March. Yet prust is continually being used in the last minute or 2 of a 1 goal game when we are losing, and Feds is getting third line minutes. Look, Prust is great for what he is a 4th line grinder who is excellent at killing penalties. When we are down 1 with 2 minutes to go he should be no where near the ice.

Meanwhile the first mistake Stepan or Krieder make and they are relagated to the 4th line.

I get that they are young and that Krieder is about 11 games into his NHL career. While Torts may not trust him yet, he is probably one of the top 3 shooters on our team. Benching him late during desperation time is stubborn.

**BunnyHardaway** · 05-10-2012, 03:24 PM

Re: The Official 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

Originally posted by slickdtc

Where is everyone getting the Timonen retirement talk from? He's not that old is he? He's such a heady player, Lidstrom-ish that even if his legs are failing I think he'll still e serviceable.

He's 37...IIRC he considered hanging it up after the 2010 finals also.

**NYRBlue88** · 05-10-2012, 03:45 PM

Re: The Official 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

Originally posted by ASB37

Torts' doghouse is an enigma to me. With most coaches you have a certain amount of trust built up so that when one mistake is made you don't necessarily get benched if you've built up enough good will.

I read somewhere that Rupp, Feds, and Prust haven't scored a goal since March. Yet prust is continually being used in the last minute or 2 of a 1 goal game when we are losing, and Feds is getting third line minutes. Look, Prust is great for what he is a 4th line grinder who is excellent at killing penalties. When we are down 1 with 2 minutes to go he should be no where near the ice.

Meanwhile the first mistake Stepan or Krieder make and they are relagated to the 4th line.

I get that they are young and that Krieder is about 11 games into his NHL career. While Torts may not trust him yet, he is probably one of the top 3 shooters on our team. Benching him late during desperation time is stubborn.

Torts is extremely tough on young players. He was extremely tough on Del Zotto last year and ultimately, sent him to the minors. I remember reading that he was very tough on Vincent Lecavalier in TB. Torts was also tough on Richards back in TB. The only vet that Torts has "punished", this year, was Gaborik. As good as Gabs can be, he is also a floater who can be incredibly lazy. Sadly, he and Richards are our only true "goal scorers".

I agree with you that Torts is just way too stubborn and he often cuts off his nose to spite his face. Yet, the Rangers young players often volunteer their praise of how he coaches them. Some go as far and suggesting he's the reason for their successes. Go figure.

**NYRBlue88** · 05-10-2012, 03:50 PM

Re: The Official 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

Originally posted by JJLinn

He's 37...IIRC he considered hanging it up after the 2010 finals also.

The speculation has also shown up, recently, via certain Philly media.

Inquirer.com archives

http://articles.philly.com/2012-05-09/sports/31642260_1_danny-briere-kimmo-timonen-bad-shoulder

http://www.phillyburbs.com/sports/csn/flyers-look-forward-to-bright-future/article_c703c347-1d2b-5553-8eec-d4eb1d80385b.html

I know that I saw it elsewhere but don't have the links. It's been heavily discussed over at HFboards on the Flyer's thread. And we know how HFboards are all experts.

Lastly, Kimmo has also made hints at the possibility but nothing definite.

He's a great player. As a hockey fan, I hope that he hangs around a little longer.

**ASB37** · 05-10-2012, 03:53 PM

Re: The Official 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

Originally posted by NYRBlue88

Torts is extremely tough on young players. He was extremely tough on Del Zotto last year and ultimately, sent him to the minors. I remember reading that he was very tough on Vincent Lecavalier in TB. Torts was also tough on Richards back in TB. The only vet that Torts has "punished", this year, was Gaborik. As good as Gabs can be, he is also a floater who can be incredibly lazy. Sadly, he and Richards are our only true "goal scorers".

I agree with you that Torts is just way too stubborn and he often cuts off his nose to spite his face. Yet, the Rangers young players often volunteer their praise of how he coaches them. Some go as far and suggesting he's the reason for their successes. Go figure.

I think Torts scratched Feds for a few games too this season.

I love Torts, I mean he's a finalist for the Jack Adams, he brought this team to 1st in the east and within a game of the President's trophy. I think as a motivator and a guy who makes sure his team gives 100% and will always be better conditioned and work harder he is great.

As an "x's and o's" type of guy I think he has been exposed. It was evident all season long with our Power Play, but even more so in the first 2 rounds of the post season.

EDIT: Speaking of HF Boards, man that place is unreal. Makes the Madden forum around here seem tame.

The Rangers board especially is so bi-polar and full of crazies it makes me question if these people forgot to take their meds sometimes.

**DrJones** · 05-10-2012, 04:22 PM

Re: The Official 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

Originally posted by NYRBlue88

Well said!
Here is what I don't get...why do fans of other teams care so much about what Torts says in a press conference? More importantly, why do the great majority of them seem to be fans of teams no longer in the playoffs? Hmmm...

I think most neutral fans (aside from HF trolls) find Torts to be entertaining.

**pietasterp** · 05-10-2012, 04:45 PM

Re: The Official 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

Originally posted by DrJones

Bravo.

http://www.grantland.com/blog/the-tr...tion-in-sports

Agree, with the caveat that I think D-men used to flip it over on purpose more often than not, but I think that it should not be a penalty and just be considered another form of icing, with the attending rules applying (face-off in your own zone, no line change).

I actually don't like the trapezoid rule, either. I wouldn't mind if they got rid of it. In my opinion, it just leads to more high-risk situations in which you have D-men steaming back full-tilt at the back boards and all sorts of collision potential with back-checkers that doesn't need to happen on a simple clear-out play.

**NYRBlue88** · 05-10-2012, 05:29 PM

Re: The Official 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

Originally posted by DrJones

I think most neutral fans (aside from HF trolls) find Torts to be entertaining.

To be fair, there are a lot of neutral fans when it comes to this topic. Not everyone hates on Torts or his press conference style. Unfortunately, it just seems to be such a hot topic as of late and a really dumb one at that. That meathead EJ Hradek and moron Deb Placey just made a joke about it on NHL network. Has the hockey season slowed down to the point were people actually care about how a coach acts in a press conference? Yikes!

Torts is entertaining. So are many of the NFL coaches who do the same thing. The key thing to remember is, if you are one of those fans that are so annoyed with Torts, then don't watch the press conference. Problem solved.

The Official 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

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