GM Daniel Briere did not pin-point one particular reason for why John Tortorella was fired. But, the writing was on the wall.
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John Tortorella isn’t a coach that likes to lose. It is probably the thing he hates most about coaching in the NHL.
But, after buying into the Flyers rebuild with the new leadership group, what changed?
GM Danny Briere was again very honest with his judgment on Tortorella as the Flyers head coach. A judgment that led to the Flyers relieving him of his duties Thursday morning.
Briere obviously first started by thanking Tortorella for setting a standard, the new Flyers standard, in his 2 1/2 years in Philadelphia. However, quickly got into the why.
In reference to why the Flyers fired him, the first question Briere faced in his 20-minute press conference, it was an easy answer for Briere.
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“It’s not one thing specifically,” Briere said on firing Tortorella. “It’s more of an accumulation, especially lately.”
The “lately” part of the answer could have a couple meanings.
Obviously, Tortorella’s comment’s after Tuesday’s loss in Toronto did not help his cause. But, the Flyers play since the trade deadline is more glaring.
Since the trade deadline, the Flyers are 1-10-1 and have been outscored 52-21. An NHL worst -31 since March 4th.
But, it doesn’t stop there.
The Flyers have not scored a power-play goal since February 27th, currently 0 for last 31 opportunities.
Then, to top it off, almost setting the franchise record for goal-less drought. Which was the second time this season the Flyers almost did.
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When you add all that together, the lately part becomes more of a bunch of things. Rather than just the Toronto comments. Which Briere confirmed was kind of the final nail in the coffin.
Another thing Briere mentioned is Tortorella’s hate for losing. Which seemed to come to a head at the trade deadline this season.
For the second straight season, the Flyers play dictated their direction at the deadline. Again, being sellers instead of a push for the playoffs.
Once the Flyers traded away Scott Laughton, you could get the sense Tortorella’s heart wasn’t truly fully in it.
“Torts is a complicated man and a complicated coach,” Briere mentioned when talking about Tortorella. “He made me a better GM.”
Briere added “he’s not a yes man, but we felt at this time it was time to move in a different direction.”
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Briere and President Keith Jones have been clear on the direction of the Flyers.
While Tortorella always didn’t see eye to eye with them, he would never take a different opinion lightly. As Briere mentioned, not being a “yes” man.
Even though he has been on board with the rebuild, the losing and no results can only tire on you so much. Which, seems to be the case here.
After yet another losing season and no playoffs, Tortorella kind of started to sour on the rebuild and was doing everything in his power to try and win.
But, to no avail and another selling deadline, it became too much for him. Leading to his heart not being fully 100% behind Briere and Jones vision anymore. Leading to his dismissal as the Flyers head coach.
PHOTO CREDIT: Christian Petersen – Getty Images
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