The Philadelphia Flyers are still in a playoff position under demanding coach John Tortorella. But Tortorella's effect on the franchise extends beyond the NHL level, say Patrick Williams and Jacob Stoller.

Most NHL followers know John Tortorella is a very demanding coach of the Philadelphia Flyers, who are third in the Metropolitan Division as of Nov. 27. But his effect on the organization runs beyond the NHL club.

With off-season development, rookie and training camps seeing prospects and bubble players heading to their NHL cities, Tortorella and other coaching staff across the NHL get a closer look at a larger group of players who are part of their system. It also gives the staff the opportunity to instill the culture they want to see out of all their players and prospects, including those who head back to the AHL.

As Patrick Williams and Jacob Stoller discussed on the Nov. 22 episode of The Hockey News On The 'A' Podcast, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms appear to be a more structured and cohesive group under coach Ian Lapierre and Tortorella at the NHL level overseeing the call-ups:

For more AHL discussions with Jacob Stoller and Patrick Williams, check out The Hockey News On The 'A' Podcast at THN.com/on-the-a. Also be sure to visit THN's new AHL site at THN.com/ahl.

For more video clips and episodes on the NHL, AHL and ECHL, check out THN.com/podcast or click on "Podcasts" in the menu.