Getting emotional over Andre Roy

A really interesting situation with Andre Roy, isn't it?

On one hand you have a guy whose emotions help make him a capable enforcer. He may not always win a fight but he is always willing. And good thing the Lightning has him to help keep things honest out there.

But then there is this: Andre Roy has been told repeatedly by the Lightning management and coach John Tortorella to keep his emotions better in check. Just that alone is enough, I would think, for the coach to be mad at his player just for insubordination. He apparently wouldn't even calm down in the locker room between periods after his second fight with Cote. But consider this, too. Andre Roy, in that instance, didn't appear to be jawing with the Flyers to stand up for one of his teammates. Andre Roy wanted to fight someone for himself. Not saying it's wrong. Just saying that is one of the things that was getting under Torts' skin.

Look, wanting to fight someone is fine. If the Flyers were laughing at Roy for the way he was beaten by Riley Cote, get your revenge. I don't recall seeing anyone on the Lightning bench laughing at Cote after Roy beat him up in their first fight.  But getting your revenge can be done without making a spectacle and endangering a league suspension by making a throat-slashing motion.

I love Andre Roy. He's accommodating, funny and accessible. But for goodness sake, if your boss tells you to handle your business responsibly, then you do it responsibly. Go knock Cote out. But do it the right way. Take care of it on the ice. That way you get to play the next day.

Comments

[Argentina]

Fire Tortorella, now he have his great record????????????????.
I'm with you Roy, this is hockey not MLB, hope you can stay with us!

[jr]

keith...not directed at you...it was the johnny come lately who doesn't understand what a blog is.

[olin]

FAN FOR JUSTICE(ANDRE????) I support you 100%. You are the man. Maybe a little heavy for the throat slash in today's NHL world, but YOU are part of the game. You are great to the guy's, fan's, and the league, you are what makes NHL hockey what it is. You are a major part of the game and we love you. If any other coach were here instead of General Tort's, you might not have a problem...it's too bad the team does not have a player with a "C" on his jersey, on the BENCH to have calmed you down a bit. Guess whose fault that is...?
It's time for him to go.
Here's my statement to PSE-OK Hockey or whoever will be the owner of the team next season- "You'll never get my money again as a season ticket holder as long as JOHN TORTERELLA is the coach." Give these player's new leadership and RIGHT NOW. It should have been done a third of the way into the season PSE. IT's YOUR FAULT WE ARE WHERE WE ARE NOW......DO YOU THINK THESE FAN"S ARE STUPID?
Oh, and by the way can anyone remember when both goalie's and entire team's dropped the glove's ??? Can anyone remember when "Capt. Dave" came out on the ice challenging someone and skated around the ice after the game was over more recently??? IT's part of the game, COACH.....

[Herb]

Basically $1000 now

[Herb]

I only plan on attending 1 more game this season. The game vs. the Rags this Sat. I am in section 327 Row D.

[Tackleberry]

Herb,
I brought it up to Oren. At least he knows, whatever that is worth.

What section do you have and what are the new prices? If you dont mind me asking? I am in 206 and prices are the same. I am getting the 20 pack again.

Does anyone else have an increase in seat prices?

[Herb]

I had full season tickets and the new prices put me out of that option next year.

[Herb]

Thanks Tack. I know I won't do anything until Torts is gone and they make some roster changes/additions. This team is toast with Torts at the helm. I know that the Bolts do not have a second round pick this year. All of the picks that they got this year via trades were in 2009.

[Voice of the Turtle]

Andre is the big brother who gives all the bullies in the schoolyard pause when they feel like pounding on you.

If John T. wants Danny Boyle and other star players getting in fights to defend themselves, he is wise to leave Roy on the sidelines. However, any coach halfway worth his salt can recognize that having a guy like Andre in the lineup makes all the players stand up a few inches taller. Opponents do not relish being called into Roy's office.

Yet Andre lost his temper. Of all people to administer discipline for that digression, who dresses down the big guy but the foul-mouthed, referee-baiting, nutsy-coo-coo Coach John Tortatempertantrum. Then, of course, out comes the rubber stamp in the sweaty adipositous hand of John's ever obedient General Manager.

#36 is lost for a week, and much to the chagrin of his many fans, he will probably be gone after the end of the season.

There is much to recommend the view of many that the wrong person has been dismissed in this organization.

[Tackleberry]

Does anyone know what rounds the Bolts will pick in during the draft?

I know the Bolts have traded draft picks to and from other teams over the past two years. Chances are high that we will get the #1, 2 or 3 pick this year.

What were the deails of the Chris Gratton trade a year ago? Did the Bolts give up their 2nd rd pick as part of that deal? This is one example.

The Roy issue has been beat to death. Management has seen this as an opportunity for excuses. It is a mini Wag The Dog.

Herb,
I asked this question to Oren when he was on the blog and this was his answer:
Q - Here is a question for Oren. With the team slumping to the bottom of the NHL, how do you justify increased $ in season ticks?
Posted by: Tackleberry | March 10, 2008 at 08:16 AM

A - PSE is upping ticket prices? I'm shocked!! They didn't tell me that. I hope I can get this thing closed before the increase goes through. All I can say is I will be accountable for any future ticket increase AFTER I own the team. I guess you need to ask PSE about any changes in ticket prices. It's out of my hands. For now anyway! At this point I have no plans to raise ticket prices after taking ownership. PSE has already done the dirty work for me.
Posted by: Oren Koules | March 10, 2008 at 02:10 PM

At least he is stepping up to the plate to take responsibility for next years performance. We'll see what happens. I am going to renew just so my kids can see the games live. If I were in most other hockey cities, I would not be able to afford season tickets.

[Herb]

Ajax, you used the word "mindset" you sound like Torts now.....just kidding. I know you speak for myself because everything you say I agree with all of the time. The fact that Torts is still here it what gripes me the most. I'll say it again, this team has sucked the hockey fan right out of me. I have the center ice package and I have given up watching all hockey now with the plight of the Dolts...oops I meant Bolts.

[ajax]

I think when you add up all the pieces of Roy,Prospal, total shut down of the entire team, I think it really just shows poor leadership. That simple. The players OBVIOUSLY don't respect Torts. That should be the first straw on any TEAM. With present management not doing anything at all, it sadly is getting near the last straw. The fact that Torts still has his job is amazing to me. Any one of many many things surely would of got another coach in another city fired. I do think the last 10-20 games were important for next year. Maybe not to win but to set the right mindset. Criticizing your top players in the paper pretty much sums up the classless act known as John Tortorella. His abrasive, me me me ism has wore to thin for this fan. I will not miss him one bit. When the chips are down you need someone of strength and character, not a maniac lashing out at every single thing that gets in his way. You wonder if for one second he realizes that the way Roy acted is the way he is percieved outside of Tampa. Probably not.
On a hockey note. Watched the Ranger/Sabre game last night. Gang, the D for NY runs that engine. It is so nice(and strange) to see Dmen that actually stop the play right smack at the point they meet the puck and player. Not this poke poke poke let them circle around the net. Body on body every play. Shanahan Jagr and Drury(the old farts who can't skate anymore) have no idea what a luxury they have in a D that can win the puck all by themselves. NY looked playoff ready(and I hate the Rangers) As much as I love my bolts, I like watching hockey and seeing how hockey use to be played here a long time ago. Whe have scored more goals than the Rangers but have given up 55 more. I don't think that spells goalie problem. Just me.
Yahoo power rankings has us 30th. We finally made it!!!! What took them til now?? My only fear is we win half our games and screw up our pick!!! Bring up the scrubs, oops they are already here.
Note: This is not a negative post. This is a loyal Lightning fan who is fed up and broke from this year.

[Geografer]

The fact that Torts thinks anyone is out of hand is nuts. Is this not the guy that just a few weeks ago when through the locker room screaming obscenities at his players and kicking things - in front of the press? Yes - Andre was out of line here but he had also just taken a nasty hit to the head - I don't think he could exactly think that clearly. I for one love this guy and this team without him was worse than ever. I really hope to hear the "WE WANT ROY" chant tonight - scream it loud enough so those of us watching across the country on TV can hear it!!! This team without Andre is nothing.
What is up with them not letting anyone talk about it either? I think that this shows they know they are a bunch of hypocritical sob's. Why not settle this the way some of the NBA teams have done and let his teammates decide his punishment?
Hang in there Andre and know that you are loved by the fans - that is more important than what some coach and GM who have driven this team this far down think!

[keith]

jr, if your comments were not meant for my contribution, my apologies. If they were, already said all I wanted to!

[tbl35]

Think that was directed at me, keith, but you told him off pretty well & saved me the trouble.

Sorry to have intruded on what someone thinks is his personal domain (lol), just stating my opinion based on what I see and hear at games, on the radio, etc. A large portion of this fanbase seems to think Mr 5 Minutes A Game is the key to success, I think that attitude makes us all look like goobers, end of story.

[Tackleberry]

Every team has it's "goon" or "enforcer". I love Roy's intensity. We need that heart on the team. He is good at waking up the Bolts.

With that said, a goon also needs to be smart. The incident on the bench (with Cote) wasnt too smart. The fights were OK, but the incident could have gone ugly (against the bolts). The refs have not been kind to the lightning this year.

The code is the code. Keep Roy. Play smart, play hard.

[Herb]

LOL Ajax give it another day

[keith]

Excuse me jr for apparently interloping on YOUR blog. Didnt know I had to kiss your ring to participate. If you look back in the archives you will see I've been contributing to this blog for a couple of years, most recently on the immediate past two Damian posts, one of which was about Andre. And by the way, my comprehension is fine. Incidentally I think "reading comprehension" is a redundancy, isn't it.
Get over yourself!

[ajax]

It just felt really good this morning to wake up knowing the Lightning didn't lose last night. Whew!!

[jr]

They don't care about Roy's icetime "above all." It's the subject of a blog started by your hero Damian.

You apparently are a newcomer here and/or have a difficult time with reading comprehension.

And, incidentally, this criticism of your post comes from someone that hasn't participated in the Roy discussion.

[keith]

.....BTW, which channel has the wrestling and monster truck shows on it!.

[keith]

Its a team sport. No fan of Torts right now, but players can't have their own agenda, as Andre seemed to have against Philly.Passion is good. Andre's however, was misplaced the other night. When in PIT he couldnt get off the healthy scratch list for the same reason.....loose cannon. Love what he brings but it has to be controlled. If the Bolts were headed to the playoffs I think the above blogs would have been of a slightly different hue. But with only pride left to play for, Andre's antics created a little excitement.

[tbl35]

Thank you Damian for being a voice of reason in the sea of insanity that is this fanbases' obsession with Roy. Sometimes I think our multiple trophy winning players are wasted in this town that cares about Roy's icetime above all.

[jr]

Some vittles for cogitation:

The law firm representing Koules is one of the most high powered in the world. They have offices on three continents and if they can't assist Sawman with financing, no one can. What I find interesting is that although they have a universal practice, their two biggest specialties are sports law and bankruptcy law.

Speaking of bankruptcy, the owners of those twin condos at Channelside filed for bankruptcy and another condo project there is reported to be in receivership. So much for the value of PSE's 5.5 acres.

Also this firm has been nailed a couple of times on ethics violations for representing clients on BOTH sides of an issue. Must be a pretty big firm if they were unaware of such a blatant conflict of interest.

Here's the Wikipedia lowdown on the firm:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weil,_Gotshal_&_Manges

[\\]

It's a slash, not a "gash," you whining ignoramus.

[Casper]

That was an interesting connection between Keenan and Tortorella. Both are a parody of when they were at the top of their craft in their glory days. Time to move on, John.

We may just survive with Feaster, provided he gets competent assisting and scouting. If not, then we need to take out *all* the trash, scrape, sand, and repaint everything.

Will that do, Vincent?

Go Bolts!

[weezer]

The Rangers are trying to get rid of him, Herb.

And I don't think the two incidents are at all comparable.

[//]

Casper==

Your posts have mentioned constipation and turds within 24 hours. Any more poop on the horizon?

[Tom M]

Truth be told, there isn't a player in the Lightning locker room that has Andre Roy's passion for the game and for his fellow team members.

Granted that any strength taken to the extreme becomes a weakness but I'm still giving our enforcer high marks not only for the way he's played this season but for the way he's conducted himself as a player and professional in the community.

Give me one Andre Roy for every player that has dispassionately skated his way into oblivion and out of a Lightning uniform and I'd have one heck of an exciting hockey team...and we'd win a lot of fights too!

[Tampa Wine Guy]

Cut the ego, time for JT to move on. You know, Mike Keenan can't survive with his coaching style for 7 years at one location. JT has worn out his welcome, it is time for a real motivator, not someone who belittles his players. Look out Smitty, you may be next.

[leo]

The rds feed is the one had me worried today. It doesn't say week. It says end of the year. Which one is it?
Wasn't there an incident between Roy and Torter, last year? "Never"?
BBR

[Herb]

Check out CNN/SI.com's story on Sean Avery of the Rags. He threw a water bottle at MSG fans when he got a panalty in their recent game. He got some people wet and came close to hitting some children. Real nice ....when hockey players go wild wow

[Herb]

besides the upcoming off-season is what I meant to say

[Herb]

Too bad we couldn't hear news that Torts was given some time off besides the off-season.

[FAN FOR JUSTICE !]

WHO WILL STAND UP FOR ANDRE NOW ?

Just saw on RDS.ca ( TSN french version in Montreal )Andre short comments :

It's a COACH decision which I don't agree with, but I can't do anything to change that ... In all my carreer I ALWAYS STOOD UP FOR MY TEAMATES ! and I ALWAYS WILL ! I don't want that specicific event ruined my reputation and I hope the people will not judge my loyalty to the team, to my teammates based on this UNIQUE night !

During all my years in hockey,I ALWAYS RESPECTED MY COACHES and TEAMMATES

[Ray]

Andre' had already gotten into 2 fights, what's the rule about getting into 3 in one game?

Isn't there a suspension or game misconduct? If so, maybe Torts was just trying to calm him down enough to not get anything more.

[Casper]

Two things not in Tortorella's exalted "system": our goalie pitching a shutout and anybody mighty enough to ring up a Gordie Howe hat trick. I bet Lecavalier hears about the unacceptable risk to hand injury, blah, blah, wuss, and whine, “Don’t do it Vinny, no hitting.”
Disgusting.

Here’s a memo to all the kittens of the new NHL:
The following is the 2007 winning entry from an annual contest at Texas A&M University calling for the most appropriate definition of a contemporary term. This year's term was Political Correctness.

The winner wrote,

"Political Correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it
is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end."

And there you have it…
Steady on, Andre; and Go Bolts!!!

[Tim]

I support Andre Roy 100%. Granted he did get knocked down pretty badly in the second fight. Maybe if Torts let him get on the ice to get his revenge none of this would of happened. but if you noticed he didnt get to play another shift the rest of the game. I played hockey for a long time and sometimes your coach just has to let you get into a fight. What does Torts care if he gets s suspension, he has again led this team into the ground. You can all say im wrong but i watch this team every game and they have quit on him. He had his stanley cup run but that was years ago with alot of different players. maybe i can be the first to say its time for him to move on. but DEFINATELY keep Jay Feaster!

[slapshot]

Let him play, who knows maybe his emotions(anger) can help him score a few goals, which the lightning is desperate for.