Team to Roy: Take some time off

The Lightning has given Andre Roy the week off with pay while the brain trust decides what to do with the volatile forward.

Roy was sent home from the road trip after two fights with Philadelphia's Riley Cote on Thursday. Later in the game, Roy stood on the bench and jawed with Cote. He pointed fingers, made throat-slitting gestures and yelled, "You're (expletive) dead."

Coach John Tortorella grabbed Roy by the shoulders, got in his face and shoved him into his seat.

Roy has already been suspended once this year for having words with Tortorella, who has been critical of Roy's inability to control his emotions.

Comments

[GP]

Leo,

Poor choice of words. I think it was funny how many people came at you ... not that you weren't handling it.

Thanks for the charity of giving the Flyers one game. Good luck at your Flyers support group meeting tonight.

[leo]

Who's handing it to me, GP?
Herb? Who escaped the discussion because he was writhing in the grips of Reason?
Lisa? Who merely expresses her totally acceptable hatred of Latendresse but could not furnish any justification to warrant his suspension?
Or the child? Who throws out the new language that he just picked up in the schoolyard but dares not use at home?
Who's handing it to me?
Bring it on, I say.
The Hit was Brutal but not Viscious. There.
Come get me.
Habs in five in 1st round vs Flyers. Cuz I'm nice.
BBR

[GP]

Leo,

You are getting it handed to you on this blog today. Pretty funny. Just to add a little insult to your hatred of Justin Williams. Guess who drafted him? The FLYERS!!!! Ha! Your boys will not have a season sweep if they meet in the playoffs. My boys will permanently plant Laten "cross"dresse"r" in the dasher boards and Price is already having nightmares about Hartnell standing over him in the crease. They are coming for you rook'.

Ajax,

To answer your question with my opinion of the situation. I believe there are some owners who truly love the game and want to own a winner. Look at Ilitch (sp) in Detroit and Ed Snider in Philly. It's not about profit to them. Koules is a huge question mark I know. The one thing he has going for him is that he is passionate about hockey. While the bottom line will always matter, I doubt he is looking for a quick fix and turnaround 5 years later. I think he is buying to own them for a long time. Add Len Barrie, another hockey guy, and you have even more (possible) evidence that these guys understand what is going on. I think these guys get it. I'm not saying the finances are in order, they won't try to move the team, yada yada yada. I try to think back on all my years playing ice hockey and I can honestly say that I never played competitive hockey with anyone through college that did not want to win. Koules and Barrie are hockey players. Once a hockey player, always a hockey player. You never lose that mentality.

Like I've said before, give Koules a chance. I understand the pessimism but have a little faith. I believe they will threaten to leave Tampa like the Penguins did in order to get a better deal with the city but will eventually stay.

[Nils]

The guy from SI must be snorting good stuff. Under Bettman's watch:

1. Inflation in Canada since 1993 has far outstriped inflation in the U.S. so the franchise value in Edmonton has far less meaning.

2. The NHL has lost its lucrative TV contract to be shown on an obscure network not even carried by many cable comnpanies.

3. The stupidity of the 04-05 lockout.

4. Idiotic rule changes like the instigator, delay of game, etc.

5. Inconsistent disciplinary actions against players and coaches including high tolerance for street thugs such as Todd Bertuzzi,

6. Orchestration of the now long-running farce that is the "sale" of the Tampa Bay Lightening.

[Patricia]

I'm sure Vinny said all the right things on the radio.

The volume will be his actions this summer.

[Herb]

Although I hate ESPN for dropping hockey, they have a poll going....who is the best player under 6 feet. Marty is running away with it.

[Lisa]

I would love to know what Vinny said as well if anyone heard. Thanks.

[boltflasher]

Bettman has at least one fan:

Gary Bettman’s NHL
by Alanah on 01/31/08 at 06:22 PM
Comments (7)

From Jim Kelley at Sports Illustrated,

GB has done one heck of a job. Costs, for the most part, are capped. Revenue is up. Attendance is stable though lower than annually reported since the NHL came off the second of Bettman’s forced lockouts. And—this is most important and dear to every owner’s heart—the value of franchises has risen dramatically on his watch

Example: the expected sale of the Edmonton Oilers. The struggling franchise in what is arguably the NHL’s smallest city is expected to change hands for upwards of $200 million. Compare that to the $50 million cost of an expansion franchise (Ottawa and Anaheim) the day before Bettman was anointed in Palm Beach, Fla. in February 1993. Even with inflation, the increase is staggering—not nearly the value of an NFL or Major League franchise or even one in the NBA (which is hard to gauge because there haven’t been nearly as many in bankruptcy or for sale), but in the NHL, it’s a noteworthy achievement

[Herb]

I heard Vinny4 talking during a 620 WDAE sports attack about signing again in Tampa. I was getting out of my car to see someone. Did anyone else hear the whole thing and know what he had to say today?

[David]

Flyers are classless.

Bobby Clarke "We didn't tell Roger to get and get cancer."

Enough said.

[leo]

Easy Herb. Easy!
The REFS, Herb, not me! The league, Herb, not me! Their opinion, not mine! I'm TELLING you their point of view and THEIR point of view makes sense REGARDLESS of bias; ain't ever put forth MY point of view! Did I start ANY of my sentences with "I think..."? No.
If I had been the ref, Herb?,
Maybe not ON CONTACT but on review, I would've given him a 5min major for elbowing. Ok?
And if I was a fan of the Bolts as much as I am one of the Tricolore, I would HATE Latendresse. I'd HATE him, Herb. Ok? You're RIGHT to hate him. He ended DiMaio's career, ferpetessakes! Unintentionally, though.
And not a 20 game suspension's worth.
Herb,
Justin Williams took out MY CAPTAIN'S EYE! No call, no nuthin! Nothing, Herb! Not even a one-minute mini-minor, ok? Koivu, OUT. Habs, OUT. OVER!
I hate Justin Williams, Herb. I hate'im!
But I've never for a second considered that he might've wanted to deliberately injure Saku. How long should HIS suspension've been? Thems the breaks, is all. That's what sucks, not Latendresse avoiding suspension cause SOMEONE got hurt. "What were you expecting? A rub-down and a chiatzu?"
So hate Latendresse all you want and hope that one of your guys drills him into the boards, elbow square to the teeth. What more do you want from me?
It happens, Herb.
Ask Eric Lindros.
BBR

[Herb]

Well if anyone here was a true hockey fan Leo, they would ignore your comments from here on out. I know what you have to say is not worth my attention anymore. Stay up there.

[ajax]

The blog has more passion than the team!!!! Torts has an ego problem?
YA THINK. I still want one question answered. Why are they buying this mess? People say to me, and are serious, they are buying it to make money when they sell it 5 years from now. I know in theory that works but what a risk. Lose 50 million in hopes of clearing 20 down the road. Anyone buy a beautiful boat in 2004 and now it has holes all over it. That boat is this franchise. And everyone stop arguing, I am enjoying it way to much. HeeHaw!!!!!!!

[Herb]

Leo you are entitled to your opinion. Let's reflect on the hit for a minute. A human being's head was sandwiched between an elbow at shoulder height and the glass of a hockey rink. Where does that belong in any sport? Again your opinion on a "clean hit" where the player who got his head smashed against, a close to 1 inch thick piece of glass, got a concussion and was severely hurt was "at fault"? Your opinions SUCKS as I guess you are human but a statement like that makes me wonder.

[//]

leo no one hates you. You are pitied, son. Go take a long powder for all of our sakes please.

[leo]

One more thing, then I'll let yehs ta 'ave at me.
Yeah, it was bad. Ain't gonna say different.
But here's the straight-dope:
The refs didn't see anything ILLEGAL. They didn't see any INTENT TO INJURE. Upon review, the LEAGUE didn't see anything illegal or any intent to injure.
The Result was bad, yes. The Move wasn't. And don't act like this is the 1st time that a player's career has been ended by an unintention Terrible hit.
Consider that if Rob had had his head up, we wouldn't be discussing this.
That being said, the little prig should've called Rob. It was classless not to. I don't understand how Gainey could have let that pass. (Do we even KNOW the whole truth on that matter?)
On hating Latendresse,
That's fine. That's totally fine. It's good to hate certain adversaries; it's what builds the Passion for this Game.
So hate away and more power to yehs.
Me?
I hate the Flyers.
BBR

[dwight]

This is all bulls hit compared to the bigger picture. A johnny-come-lately hockey town would have this kind of drivel on its blog.

[leo]

C'mon Lisa.
That's the best you got? That's lame, Lisa. A conspiracy by the refs to favor the Habs? I wish it were so! Try again, Lisa. C'mon. Hit me.
Why didn't Latendress get a suspension for his hit on DiMaio? Or a penalty?
Why not?
BBR

[leo]

Easy Herb.
Ain't saying he didn't raise an elbow. But if you think Pronger doesn't do that 10 times per game, you're dreaming. They ALL raise their elbows. Guillaume didn't spear him with his elbow; he followed through on his sideways hit. Borderline? Sure. 20 games? Easy. If he deserved THAT much, they would've at least given him a penalty, no?
Pronger got what? 1 game? 2? For CRUSHING Holmstrom's head into the boards with his elbow. THAT was deliberate. You saying Guillaume DELIBERATELY intended to wound DiMaio? And would it have happened if Rob had HIS HEAD UP? Which is the 1st thing they teach you in Hockey101.
Granted, he should have called Rob. I can't explain why he didn't, so, lack of class in that respect? I guess so. That doesn't make him a Flyer.
As for my credibility. Did I ever have any, mate? Why yes, I will stay here; my team's a Winner. And no, I'm not gloating about being snowed in. Just that in another 18 centimeters, the record is broken so we all figure, might as well go for it.
And GP,
Gotta admire your resolve. I'm happy my Boys would face your team instead of you, yourself.
Swept you in 4 this season. Don't see how it'd be different in the series. While you might not be, your team is DEFINITELY terrified of us. In a psycho-war? Your crew is Done. No chance, no hope. Pray you meet the Devils.
But good luck anyhow, mate.
BBR

[Lisa]

Leo, Latendresse did not get 20 games because the NHL is biased. There is no onsistency in officiating on any level in the NHL and as much as I love hockey, if it doesn't change, it will bring the league down. Charra (Mr. 7 ft. tall) is able to hit a puck above his shoulder and has it called a goal, Latendresse does a cheap shot that ends the career of a player, and he doesn't even get a penalty, and not one game suspended. And the reason for that is that he is one of the Canadiens.

[\\]

Wouldn't mind seeing somebody affect such politeness on lil' Priceypuss

[Mr. Clean]

Here's the shot clearly showing Ladydress' elbow planting Robbie's head into the glass.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVW4BTpfNck

[Herb]

Oh Leo your credibility here just went out the window if you call the hit on DiMaio clean. Stay in Montreal if you think that way. A Clean hit that ended a career? Talk about biased WOW.I can't wait to that punk Latendresse gets his head plastered into the boards/glass and hear all you Frenchies whine about it. I don't respect you with comments like that. Sick man just plain sick.

[GP]

Leo,

He didn't get 20 games because he doesn't wear a Flyers jersey and they didn't replay the hit 20 times throughout the game on the jumbotron.

[leo]

So why didn't he get the 20 games, Lisa?
BBR

[GP]

Lisa,

I'm from Ridley Park ... right by the airport. Went to Ridley High School.

[GP]

Leo,

Flyers out in the 1st round? I'll take that after being the last place team in all of hockey last year. Maybe ... maybe not. If they play the Devils they are toast. I'll take my chances with your flowers and a rookie goalie. Again, not afraid of the Hab nots. I won't talk bad about them because they do not warrant my attention unlike you with my Flyers. I think you are a closet Flyers fan. It's ok Leo .... it's called Flyers anonymous and they meet a few times a week to watch Flyers games. I'll even bet you own a Ron Hextall jersey! lol

I prefer Goerge the Animal myself.

If the replay humiliated Roy than I guess he should not have Cote's left to knock him off his skates. You don't see that happen too often to Roy and it hurt me to watch even though it was a Flyer doing it. I don't see the big deal in it really because Roy handed to Cote in the first fight.

[Lisa]

Sorry, Leo, Latendress hit DiMaio in the head with his elbow, and according to DiMaio, never even had the class to ask about him when the team returned to Tampa. He deserved the 20 games, he is a cheap shot artist that I hope gets what is coming to him.

GP: I grew up in the Northeast, went to George Washington High School. How about you?

[leo]

Whoaaaaaaaaaah!!!
Lisa?!
Are you referring to the absolutely CLEAN hit by Latendresse on DiMaio?
Though very unfortunate, Rob was blid-sided, not hit from behind, not boarded in any way. It was a head-shot, yes, but by DiMaio's fault, not Guillaume's, so: clean hit. He didn't deserve 20 games and that's why he didn't get them.
BBR

[olin]

I agree Lisa, it is what it is, however sorry it may be these past 3 season's since we won the cup. HOWEVER, at least we still have a NHL franchise here, with one of the top 3 best player's in the league to watch.
INSTEAD of "WE WANT ROY", just add 2 word's to that..."FIRE TORT'S" maybe management might get the message, but we all know they could care less.

[GP]

Lisa,

I absolutely agree with you regarding the difference between fighting and headhunting. I think Boulerice should be suspended for life for his crosscheck on Kesler. I'm tired of guys getting hurt because of sticks and hits from behind.

Hitchcock was a joke and I hated him as the coach. It doesn't surprise me he whined, that is all he did. Oh yeah, he drove out young talent like Patrick Sharp because he hated young players. Sound familiar Torts?

My point on the scoreboard is this. The person operating the jumbotron is aperson like you or me who works long hours and does not get paid enough. League officials attend games throughout the league all season long. If they had a problem with the replays, they would have stopped them.

The Flyers rep has been exacerbated due to the suspenions this year but the team has not been the broad sreet bullies for a long time.

I don't remember the Latendresse hit but I do remember a Canadiens player ending Keith Primeau's career with a flagrant elbow ... in a pre=season game.

Wow Leo .... looks like your guys are a bunch of goons!

Lisa, where in Philly did you grow up. I did too.

[leo]

GP,
I'm really sorry mate, cuz it was my intention to mention you by name but I fergot it. Sorry.
Of course, my post was, in part at least, specifically designed to get your goat and my goal was to get you on here to hear what YOU hadda say about the subject cuz I knew those orange thugs were yours.
NOW.
Ain't talkin' 'bout being a Broad Street Bully in this instance. Talkin' 'bout REPLAYING the knockout in order to HUMILIATE Roy. That is AGAINST THE RULES. Don't remember the Ducks ever doing that.
It don't matter how you argue the jobs assigned to who knows who and the responsibilty attributed to who knows who. "Passing the Buck" is a weakness. What, the video-operator knew it was wrong but did it cuz his boss told him so? A dozen times, no less? Bull. They did it to HUMILIATE Roy and to get a kick out've it. ANOTHER black mark in their thick, thick file of black marks. All these black marks have painted of picture of that organization which, though you say is misconceived, is still PERCEIVED to be one of utter classnessness (if that's a word) to a LOT of people, not just Lisa and Leo.
Hey, I understand you don't want to bash the Habs (giggle-snort) cuz...well...what could you say that could POSSIBLY equal the severity and propensity of black marks of those orange weaklings, who need to use dishonor to instill their identity? Mind you, ain't saying it's WRONG. We need bad guys in wrestling, right?
Your Flyers are THE BAD GUYS, GP. Sorry.
They're The Iron Sheik of the NHL. 'Member the Iron Sheik? Hulk Hogan? Anyway,
You're a great guy, GP, and you know what you're talkin' 'bout so I gotta tread lightly but,
Flyers Out in 1st round.
Hope my Boys get the honors.
BBR

[Lisa]

GP,

I actually grew up in Philly and remember the Broad Street Bullies and was a fan of the team. However, there is a difference between fighting and headhunting. It seemed to be more of a game plan by the team to go after the heads and that is why the team had so many suspensions. Maybe they finally learned after all the suspensions.

As far as league rules on the jumbotron: I do know that the Lightning got in trouble after Hitchcock whined about the cheap shot by Brashear being shown over and over and were told they weren't allowed to do that, so I do believe it is a league rule/policy not to repeatdly show hits and fights.

As far as the Columbus game, I honestly did not see O'Brien do that, but if that is the case, he deserves a suspension. I won't be a homer and say that we never do anything wrong, but I do think that Tortorella is very careful and against going out to deliberately injure a player, but I don't see the same thing on other teams.

Now this is going back a few seasons, but the hit on DiMaio by Latendresse deserved a 20 game suspension, but I don't think he even got a penalty. The league does need to be consistent (but we all know that does not happen) in all calls, and I will admit that the Flyers reputation (which is supported by their actions) does make the league look at them closer.

[GP]

You know the more I think of it, I would not have told Roy to leave the team. V4 and MSL need a guy like Roy on the ice. Other players back off just a little when they think a guy on the other team isn't all there. Watch the other teams line up our players now. Who is going to make the other teams answer? Tarnasky? Give me a break. Janik? I like his spunk but he is in the featherweight division. O'Brien? He'll already be in the penalty box.

Look out Lightning ... keep your heads up!

[GP]

Lisa,

The 70's for the Flyers was a different time for the Broad Street Bullies. I was too young to remember them winning the cup in the 70's playing that style but it worked.
It also worked for the Anaheim Ducks last year.

I'm not trying to convince you to like the Flyers .... I know they are a team everyone loves to hate. Nor will I act arrogant and insult you because I appreciate you are a big enough fan to consistently write on this blog. What I do pose though is a question.

Yes the Flyers had a few suspensions this season. I do not condone the Boulerice stick work or the Cote hit this season. Downie misjidged his hit and left his feet ... other than that, that hit is highlight reel. Everyone cheered when Scott Stevens freight trained everyone but now those hits are taboo.

What I see happening is that the league suspended the Flyers early this season to prove a point but has backed off of suspensions. I saw two this weekend alone that should warrant a suspension.

1. Did you see Shane O'Brien go after Jason Chimera? Did you see where his stick went when he went in stick first? Cross check to the throat. I replayed it about 10 times to make sure I saw it correctly. No one mentioned that .... that could kill someone and guess what ... no suspension. A Flyer does the same thing and that equates to at least a 15 game suspension.

2. In the Dallas vs Colorado game, Jeff Finger completely interfered with Brendan Morrow and drove his head into the partition. It was scary to watch adn Morrow laid on the ice grabbing his neck for a few minutes. The result? 2 minute intereference call.

The bottom line here is that the respect the players have for each other is lacking. The fans at the SPT forum would have cheered for the Randy Jones hit, the Steve Downie hit, and Jeff Finger hit, and replays of fights on the scoreboard.

People need to be careful not to be a biased fan. As for the replay over and over, had it truly been illegal, the league could have stopped it anytime throughout the season. It is the scoreboard operators job to get fans into the game.

[Lisa]

Roy was wrong. I love him, and support him, but he was wrong in this instance. However, the Flyers organization has shown over and over again that they are classless. I have watched hockey since the mid 70's and this is the only club that I have seen pull this kind of crap on a consistent basis.

I remember their coach crying in the playoffs after Brashear deliberately swung his stick at the head of one of our players (it wasn't penalized) and the Forum showed the play over and over again. He was crying saying it was inciting the fans. So they can cry about us showing their cheat shots, and yet they see nothing wrong with showing the fight over and over again. As I said, a totally classless organization: always has been and always will be.

[Nils]

Torts lost control in early December when several players tuned him out. Now they are all tuning him out.

Vinny has one foot out the door but the upside is that the other foot hasn't moved. I'm sure he's in a wait-and-see mode. He definitely is not going to commit here without the owner making a committment (not a promise) to drastically improve the on-ice personnel and shake up the front office.

[Lampshade]

Torts has lost complete control of the team. Total and complete. He wants to handle bonafide NHL stars (V4 and MSL) like rec league newcomers. He expects them to play 25+ minutes every single night, all year long. And he can't coach young talent. He doesn't know how.

Don't care where you go, just go away. You've lost the room. You've lost the luster of a Cup win. You don't even have the cajones to put a "C" on the ice.

There is no leader on the bench or in the skyboxes or in Detroit or Hollywood.

No leaders = Massive Mess.

[danger]

roy is a emotional guy, no argument there. but when he acts like he acted against philly he's a detriment to his team, plain and simple. it's hard enough for a team that's picked up one point in it's last 10 games to focus on a hockey game, and roy jawing with cote across the benches and getting into it with torts on the bench is a distraction we don't need. i'm not saying get rid of the guy. roy is a character guy in the locker room, he stands up for his teammates, and has a cannon for a shot. i love andre, but you can't look past the fact that he was in the wrong.

[GP]

Leo,

You know I'm going to respond when you say off the wall stuff like that about the Flyers. Come on .... you consistently have much better points than to sound ignorant and bash the Flyers organization. I'm not going to sit here and defend the organization because I shouldn't have to nor am I going to bash the Canadiens.

Here is the ground truth of what normally happens when it comes to the scoreboard. I worked for the Penguins for a few seasons and I personally knew the person who worked our scoreboard. Her job was to play music and clips to get the crowd going. She was a person just like you or me with little to no direction from the higher ups. They would call and tell her if they did not like a song or so forth and she would remove it from the playlist. I would assume that replaying big hits or fights is a gray area the league does not enforce. The FLyers comment on the situation was that they had been replaying fights all season and they would cease to do that if the league in fact told them it was illegal. Doesn't sound classless to me. They also have stated that the MAJORITY of teams in the league do this .... not just the Flyers. NO heart No honor leo? Is that why the Canadiens consistently go to the US to draft their players ... because Canadiens have no heart?

The Lightning should be taking notes on how the Flyers went from dead last in the league to possible playoffs in the next. They showed how to liquidate assets and build from youth.

Look, let's all admit that we would like to see replays of Roy bashing someone at the SPT Forum. Everyone is in a tizzy bc Roy actually got clocked. I couldn't believe it when i saw it but it happened. Talking trash from the bench during hockey is what hockey is all about. I don't agree with the slash throat motion he made but so what. Torts almost jumps over the boards to get at another coach but Roy is out of line for talking?

AT LEAST SOMEONE ON THIS FREAKIN TEAM HAS HEART!

[Nan]

Now if someone would just send Torts home for a week also, we would have something!

[As Reality Sets In]

Great move. With all the $#!+ happening with ownership and cap restrictions this is hat we need.

No doubt Andre has a short fuse and maybe pushes the envelope. Here's an idea, Lets suspend a guy who shows emotion, unlike his team mates, and rip his heart out while ripping out the heart of the team! Outstanding idea!!

Hand torts his release and lets move on shall we?

[nohunter]

We will, We will ROY you. WE WANT ROY!
Torts and Feaster should be showing support by insisting that the league punish Philly for inciting the incident.
At least Andre was showing some emotion. It's not like he used a stick on Cote or stomped him. Fighting is/was a part of the game.
Torts - Feaster, go to your room.

[leo]

Hey! Houl'on!
Is it for a week or the rest of the soddin' season?!
I'm gettin' conflictin' reports, 'ere.
'Ell's goin' on?!
BBR

[Casper]

I hope the Kid enjoys the deserved respite with his newest addition and returns soon to a new coach and GM.

And then I woke up.

Yeah good luck there, big guy. You were good and we didn't use you nearly as efficiently as we should have. Better coaching on the skills development aspect and you might have other things to think about besides cut throat gestures with goons.
Sorry we let you down.

Memo to the suits:
Andre Roy is no goon, people!

[Jake]

This team is being dismantled right in front of our eyes and unfortunately its Torts huge ego that is damaging this team.

[leo]

There was absolutely no problem until he ran his finger along his throat.
Mr Miyagi to André-san after the game,
"You want to curse, good!
You want to fight, good!
You want to threaten death, no good!"
Whether NHL commisioner is involved or not, bottom line is that I HOPE André remains a Bolt at the end of the season because I sure as heck wouldn't wanna FACE HIM if I were the Tortinator, tell ya that fer nuthin'. Can't see how those two's relationship could've improved over the past few days. Yikes!
Of course, Philly just went and proved again what a classless bunch of hacks they are by replaying and replaying and replaying André's trip to the stars. Which is AGAINST regulations, as you all know. Which Philly ALSO knew, but they did it anyway. That's the Flyers, folks.
They NEED to behave this way because they got NO heart. No honor.
Over and over and over again they showed it, so that there should subsist not an ounce of respectability in that organization. THAT'S WHY André's wires touched. (NOT steriods...)
Bravo Philly, bravo. No André for at least a week. Well done.
You perennial Loser, Philly, I salute you.
BBR

[Phil]

I can't imagine this Team without the energy and physicality brought to the ice by Andre. Just watching them play the Blue Jackets yesterday showed how sheepish they can play. Albeit a losing season, they are professionals and should play for their fans at all times.

[Geografer]

Torts is upset someone can't control his emotions? Is he the pot or the kettle in this little tale? Look - Andre was out of line but that fact that Philly kept replaying the fight was nuts - he had a right to be upset. The fact is he did NOT take any penalties or cost the team anything. Even if he had it is not like they are currently fighting for a playoff spot or anything (see Brashear's actions Saturday - there is someone who should be sent home for costing his team two critical points - if they miss the playoffs you can directly point to his actions in that game). I don't live in Tampa (and won't be back down for any more games until the 25th) but you can bet if I did I would be leading the "WE WANT ROY" chant at the game on Tuesday. I hope everyone in attendance screams it at the top of their lungs for a long time - maybe then Torts will hear them (sine he claims to not here the chant during games) and realize how much the fans think he means to this team!

[Not The Marlboro Man]

Is there any doubt that the coach and GM have lost their ability to lead. The players are not paying attention to Torts, they are all a bunch of loose cannons right now. The leadership in the club house is non existent, and the rest of the management is just marking time, deciding whether to pack up their desk and put their houses on the market or look for employment elsewhere.
This team is a reflection of the Florida economy, which also sucks right now. The Canadian economy is stronger than ours right now, so I wouldn't be surprised if we don't start hearing the old "move the Lightning rumors" once again.