Better Luck Next Year, Penguins.
Posted 12:16 PM ET | Comments 7
I anticipate that the on-ice implosion of the Penguins will be almost deliberate against the Flyers in round two. I hope then for a dramatic off-ice explosion. I feel that at least one quality coach will be available (Tippett, Trotz, perhaps McLellan) or an assistant (Renney, Housley, Madden, our own J Martin). Burkie is out there as a GM, as is Jay Feaster, Paul Fenton, and even Ron Hextall.
As far as the players, a few things have to be done:
1) Trade Kris Letang. Ray Shero lost his job when he didn't trade Letang for incredible return. Kris now has concussion and stroke on an already noticeable injury history. Kris Letang's cap hit makes it certain that the roster cannot be any deeper than it is right now (waiver guys filling out bottom six). As the Penguins aren't going to trade 87 or 71, 58 has to be converted into cap room and futures before he deteriorates further.
It's actually a pretty hard sell for his potential return. Kris is a decent PP player, but that suffers from diminishing returns in the playoffs. Kris plays sheltered minutes for a #1 type guy and he doesn't kill penalties. With Letang, the Penguins high-end offense is stellar; without him, it's still superb. I still think Letang can return a few firsts and perhaps a good forward. Consider that Kris was a third round pick when evaluating the return if it makes you feel better.
2) Replace Marc-Andre Fleury. I fancy that MAF will once again be responsible for broadcasting to the opponent that he is rattled and discompose the already frazzled structure of the team. I really do wish Pittsburgh had acquired either Schneider or Bernier. I'm not sure what the answer will be, but the Blackhawks won it all twice with different relative unknowns recently.
3) Acquire a second-line center. I know you think Pittsburgh has one already, but you would be laboring under a misapprehension. Malkin should be converted to RW. The second line needs a dimension of face-off competency, defensive acumen, and screening to be at peak effectiveness in playoff rounds. At present, it features the two Penguins most likely to implode and really hasn't yielded much when it counts. David Bolland would fit the bill; Kesler would be overkill and I think the Pittsburgh connection was another attempt to catch lightning in the proverbial bottle as opposed to sound team construction.
Jussi Jokinen should be resigned and deployed as the third-line C. I would like if there was a player on that line capable of getting a shot on the opponents net and at least get an offensive zone start for line 1 or 2. Presently, the Pens 3 and 4 lines cause more defensive zone starts than any group in the NHL. Finally, Jussi is a shootout dynamo. As much as I hate the shootout, several teams missed the playoffs or better seeding because they are abysmal at the shootout.
4) Don't resign Brooks Orpik nor Matt Niskanen. Use the cap room for depth forwards forwards and really evaluate some of the D Shero has drafted. Teams who have success through competent coaching can get similar performance out of players on entry contracts.
As far as the players, a few things have to be done:
1) Trade Kris Letang. Ray Shero lost his job when he didn't trade Letang for incredible return. Kris now has concussion and stroke on an already noticeable injury history. Kris Letang's cap hit makes it certain that the roster cannot be any deeper than it is right now (waiver guys filling out bottom six). As the Penguins aren't going to trade 87 or 71, 58 has to be converted into cap room and futures before he deteriorates further.
It's actually a pretty hard sell for his potential return. Kris is a decent PP player, but that suffers from diminishing returns in the playoffs. Kris plays sheltered minutes for a #1 type guy and he doesn't kill penalties. With Letang, the Penguins high-end offense is stellar; without him, it's still superb. I still think Letang can return a few firsts and perhaps a good forward. Consider that Kris was a third round pick when evaluating the return if it makes you feel better.
2) Replace Marc-Andre Fleury. I fancy that MAF will once again be responsible for broadcasting to the opponent that he is rattled and discompose the already frazzled structure of the team. I really do wish Pittsburgh had acquired either Schneider or Bernier. I'm not sure what the answer will be, but the Blackhawks won it all twice with different relative unknowns recently.
3) Acquire a second-line center. I know you think Pittsburgh has one already, but you would be laboring under a misapprehension. Malkin should be converted to RW. The second line needs a dimension of face-off competency, defensive acumen, and screening to be at peak effectiveness in playoff rounds. At present, it features the two Penguins most likely to implode and really hasn't yielded much when it counts. David Bolland would fit the bill; Kesler would be overkill and I think the Pittsburgh connection was another attempt to catch lightning in the proverbial bottle as opposed to sound team construction.
Jussi Jokinen should be resigned and deployed as the third-line C. I would like if there was a player on that line capable of getting a shot on the opponents net and at least get an offensive zone start for line 1 or 2. Presently, the Pens 3 and 4 lines cause more defensive zone starts than any group in the NHL. Finally, Jussi is a shootout dynamo. As much as I hate the shootout, several teams missed the playoffs or better seeding because they are abysmal at the shootout.
4) Don't resign Brooks Orpik nor Matt Niskanen. Use the cap room for depth forwards forwards and really evaluate some of the D Shero has drafted. Teams who have success through competent coaching can get similar performance out of players on entry contracts.
Unless the pens are healthy and still manage to embarrass themselves, not lose, but embarrass themselves, you dont move Bylsma or Shero. Bylsma leads team to the second best record in team history while leading in mangames lost...mnnn.... think teams will be lining up for his services? Shero has ingeniously set this team up to be successful year after year under the cap system. etang should only be traded if Pouliot proves he can fill his shoes... martin is aging and as injury prone as letang and is possibly gone in a year. Tang is a norris finalist entering his prime. malkin is terrible when playing on wing (though his faceoffs need improvement). Your credability took a major shot when you suggested letang could fetch a few firsts and possibly a forward... weber may come close to that, not letang
Burke is Prez of Flames Hockey Ops and Acting GM. How is he available. Before you write your next blog do some actual research. Get your finger on the pulse man cause you clearly do not know what is going on.
Is this, like, for real? Oy vey. ŚMH.
Letang eats a lot of minutes and plays on the PK when healthy. Do you realize the cap goes up significantly next year? The Pens cant be regular free agent buyers, but they wont have to be waiver wire bottom feeders either. Do legitimate research before posting please
id give my left nut for letang to be on the sharks. the guy is a warrior and the guy is only 26..... hes only going to get better.
Huh?
Did you think, at all before you wrote that?