Last night I visited Hockey-Reference.com to check out the Penguins’ stats and get caught up on some things. As I glanced at the standings, I was astonished to see our Pens sitting dead last in the Metropolitan Division. Talk about a shock to your system.
I guess it really shouldn’t be given the way we’ve played since the end of October (languished is more appropriate). Indeed, since returning from our glorious road on a four-game tear, we’ve gone a dismal 1-6-1. Talk about a tailspin! If we were a fighter pilot, we’d be ditching our jet in the Pacific Ocean amid shark-infested waters.
So what gives? How did this happen? And more important, can general manager Jim Rutherford and the coaching staff fix it?
Some loose-leaf thoughts from a loose-leaf mind.
Bad Juju
In stark contrast to our Cup-winning form, the Pens are finding ways to lose…a sure sign of a bad team. Thursday night’s thoroughly disappointing 4-3 defeat at the hands of Tampa Bay was a classic example.
Thanks to some Lightning largesse, our boys snatched a 2-0 lead on power-play goals by Patric Hornqvist and Phil Kessel. They nearly took a three-goal lead minutes later, but Tampa Bay goalie Louis Domingue stopped Jake Guentzel on a glorious scoring chance from in close. I remember thinking, Uh oh…we’re gonna need that goal.
My sense of foreboding was spot-on. Somehow, Evgeni Malkin and Phil Kessel conspired to draw minor penalties at the same instance with 23 seconds left in the first period. Apparently feeling left out, 42-year-old Matt Cullen…aka “Team Dad”…joined them in the box a mere 10 seconds later to hand Tampa Bay a 5-on-3 power play for a gazillion minutes. Roughly akin to going deep-sea diving without an oxygen tank.
Predictably, the Lightning beat a still shaky Matt Murray three times within the next 91 seconds…with the first goal coming three seconds before the end of the period…to snatch victory from the jaws of certain defeat.
You’ve heard of athletes described as having a million-dollar body and a ten-cent head? Well, with precious few exceptions (Sidney Crosby) that’s an apt description of the black-and-gold squad as a whole. Blonde on ice, if you will.
Need more proof? At the end of the Pens’ 4-2 loss to fellow Metro doormat New Jersey on Tuesday night…another eminently winnable game that somehow slipped away…Kris Letang cradled the puck on his stick blade at center point with our goalie pulled and over 30 seconds left on the clock. In hockey circles, an eternity to make a play.
Instead, he tried to shoot the puck through a phalanx of Devils impeding the high slot. Predictably, his shot was blocked by Stefan Noesen, who sent Taylor Hall speeding away for a game-ending empty netter.
It’s precisely the type of blunder…and there’s been no shortage of ‘em…that’s crushing the life out of the team. Our guys must regain their discipline and focus. This is especially true of veterans like Malkin, Kessel and Letang. They set an example for the rest of the group.
That includes paying attention to the details, both in the offensive and defensive zone. With and away from the puck, too. For now, we’re taking way too many shortcuts…and getting burned in the process.
Where’s the Sizzle?
I devoted an entire article to the subject back in October, but I’ll touch on it again. Has the Penguins’ competitive fire gone out…or at least been seriously dampened?
While there’s ample evidence to suggest otherwise…Hornqvist in particular has been surly as a grizzly bear that woke up on the wrong side of a spring thaw…collectively our guys seem to lack spark and jump. While every hockey player wants to win…you simply don’t make it to the NHL by having a losing mindset…some are leaders and some are followers.
We appear to have a surplus of the latter and a shortfall of the former. Someone needs to take charge of the dressing room. Crosby, Malkin…somebody.
It ain’t happenin’.
Need for Speed
One of the keys to our back-to-back Cups was speed. Pure, unadulterated speed. Combined with our elite skill level, it separated us from the rest of the pack.
While the high-end skill remains, our speed seems to be downright lacking at times. In a copycat league where everyone and their brother are cultivating skating teams, we’re all-too-often left in the dust.
Coach Mike Sullivan insists we’re still quick, asserting that what appears to be a lack of foot speed is in reality a lack of confidence.
I’m not so sure. With stunning frequency, we seem to wind up on the wrong side of the puck. A prickly development that’s led to a plethora of opposing odd-man breaks. No wonder Murray’s having a confidence crisis. He and backup Casey DeSmith are tending goal in a veritable wild west shooting gallery.
Too, a quick glance at the roster tells a different story. Exit burners Josh Archibald, Trevor Daley, Carl Hagelin, Conor Sheary and Scott Wilson. Enter comparative lead-foots Riley Sheahan, Garrett Wilson and plow horse Derek Grant. Diligent players all, but hardly candidates to win the NHL’s fastest skater competition, as Hagelin once did.
While the Pens do have some fast kids toiling at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton…most notably Thomas DiPauli and Adam Johnson…I’m not sure if they’re ready…or of NHL caliber. The numbers suggest they aren’t.
One thing is certain. There are no easy solutions to the Pens’ plethora of issues, especially given our lack of salary-cap space and paucity of legit prospects down on the farm.
There’s no more difficult task in all of sport than reviving a fading former champion. Let’s hope Rutherford and the rest of the staff are up to the task.
I think the Penguins can be fixed with a couple of tweaks. For one, I agree with tOR that Sullivan may be playing his guys and not be giving others a chance. Take Matt Murray for instance. The guy is stinking it up and yet Sullivan keeps playing him. It’s time to relegate him to backup until either Desmith craps the bed or Murray plays a decent backup game. Desmith may be 27, but he has pretty much had a .920 save percentage at every level of play he has been at. Nothing gets a team dejected more than when they’re playing their butts off and a swiss cheese goalie lets in soft goals.
Another tweak would be to move any or all of these three players: Riley Sheahan, Jack Johnson (read Dee’s comment below) and Daniel Sprong. They are all playing horrible and using up roster spots. I don’t know why Sheahan is all the sudden playing so poorly, but Brassard is way better and more capable. Jack Johnson has not fit in anywhere and his ability to make costly mistakes at really bad times along with being out of position most of the time is really hurting the team.
Then there is the entitled Sprong. People keep comparing his lazy ass with that of 16th overall pick Naslund. Naslund had 19 goals 33 assists in 66 games when the Pens traded him. It was a contract year and the Pens couldn’t even make the payroll of the players they had. He was good when the Pens traded him. If you want to compare Sprong to a player, look no further than Tom Kostopoulos. Trade Sprong, take the draft pick and clear the roster and tiny bit of salary for someone who wants to play in the NHL.
One big difference I noticed at the game the other day is the fact that other than a few players, the team doesn’t seem to have any motivation. When is the last time you have seen a player lay in front of a shot? That was a mainstay of the cup teams.
I’m not truly worried because I know when this team is motivated they can do it, but making a few tweaks now would help out in the long run.
Hey Phil,
While it’s all too easy to get discouraged and start jumping off the Pens’ bandwagon, I’m afraid I don’t share your optimism. They really look lost right now.
I never dreamed a team with this much talent could play so poorly. Who knows…maybe they’re a win or two away from snapping out of it. But it sure doesn’t feel that way right now.
The Jack Johnson signing…and I was all for it…is looking like a colossal blunder. I like Chad Ruhwedel as a No. 7 d-man, but not necessarily as a top six. And Kris Letang continues to be Kris Letang…the good, the bad and the ugly all rolled into one.
I know everyone’s down on Maatta, but like you, I don’t mind the kid. I know he struggles to get up to speed when he gets turned, but overall I think he does a good job. If they can upgrade him via a trade, fine. But I really don’t see him as a problem.
Agree 100 percent about Sheahan. I guess there’s a reason why the guy went practically a whole season without scoring a goal and we’re seeing it. I think he’s the kind of guy who needs a set role with set minutes and set linemates and time to get comfortable with it, which is how we handled him prior to the Brassard trade.
Since then, he’s been all over the board in terms of linemates and role, and I think it’s eroded his already tenuous confidence. He’s done next to nothing. Either give him a set role or trade him.
The Sprong situation’s similar. In my mind, you’ve either got to give this kid a legit shot to prove himself, or you trade him. What Sullivan’s doing…playing him, sitting him, playing him for three minutes…makes no sense. I know Sully wants Sprong to earn his spot. But I think he’s been hard on the kid, too.
Yet another instance where our coach may not be giving a player the best chance to succeed.
Rick
Hey Rick,
I was all for the Jack Johnson signing also. I would trade him in a second now. I get what people are saying. -9 worst on the team tied with Sheahan.
The Sprong thing I do not understand whatsoever. The guy doesn’t forecheck, the guy doesn’t go to the net, the sniper has 0 goals in 115 minutes of ice time (Aston-Reese has one already in 56 minutes) he is always out of position defensively when he doesn’t lollygag back and I believe they are very generous on anything he does that resembles throwing a check.
If Crosby wanted him on his line Sprong would be there. Is Sullivan to blame for not forcing Crosby to play with him? Maybe, but at the same time Crosby is the best player in the world taking 4 mil a year less than he could be earning. Plus, Crosby already tried him full time on his line for 8 games, Sprong scored in one game and was a douche to Crosby in interviews. Crosby has pretty much earned the right of refusal.
I’ve been going to games regularly since 1988, I’ve seen Sprongs come and go. i’ve watched Sprong, sometimes just him and how he plays. I can tell you this, the guy plays without heart or desire and would be useless in the playoffs.
If anyone else played lazy the way Sprong does, didn’t have a goal & had the third worse +/- on the team behind Sheahan & Johnson everyone would be wondering why he was on the team. Why am I the only one that wonders this about Sprong? 17 minutes of powerplay time Sprong the supposed sniper has 0 goals. Simon, 17 mins powerplay time has a goal.
The only thing that makes me laugh more than the Sprong debate is a Maatta debate. All you really need to know is that since Maatta came into the league in 2012 only one player has a better +/- in the playoffs and that is Duncan Keith of the Blackhawks.
I don’t give a crap about what any defenseman’s corsi #’s are. Corsi’s don’t win games, being on the ice for more goals than your opponent does. Maatta finished third in the playoffs last year in defenseman +/- which is quite impressive considering the Pens were eliminated second round.
There is no “upgrade”
Also Jack Johnston is horrible. Stats , Eye test and articles are the truth.
I knew this . Since day one . 12 years ago.
Jack Johnson is 2005 mishandling rated defenseman that was scouted wrong. I believe he was scouting high because he played with Sidney Crosby and people were doting on his athleticism. Friends too. Bad Signing.
He doesn’t move his feet to have deception with shot in the right area.
He plays the man instead the puck. He takes boneheaded out of position hits. Bad clears . In a man’s island in his zone. Leaves man and go over to partner who’s already covering his man. He stands there. Letang and Johnson do some things the same way. Slow to react. Wanders off. Mishandles puck . Bad defensively and offensively. Brings down his partner. On and on
Tonight. He got in the way of Dumoulin playing his man leading to goal then Letang and Johnson defensively suck and lost together. Lead to a goal.
Rutherford mad a mistake signing him and Sullivan is at fault to put him in the top pairing with same guy as him. He’s a poor man’s Letang.
I don’t how they can fix Johnson’s situation. It can’t be fixed.
HellO Rick,
I stand firm here. This has been going on to long . Two seasons. It way worse. It was glaring issues last season. I said it. I caught a case for it. It was issues on first game of this season.
Some Players leaving after 2017 cup run put a dart without cohesive replacement to fixed the holes to be this teams.
Biggest dart was Cole and Reaves trade. Pens Players have not been the same . That made them have no more care for Mike Sullivan. Quite frankly, no care for his flawed system , old , repetitive philosophy. It’s old. Players are not responding well to it. Top stars are unhappy and frustrated.
Identity is lost. To many passengers and seats on this roster. It isn’t the same urgency, consistency, grit, heart and play for one another on this team.
Sullivan’s inability to knowledge players strengths and weaknesses. Do not Holding them accountable. His ego, blinders, and favoritism will not help to do better with players and flawed system. His screaming and yelling is old. He doesn’t have a solution. He’s the problem.
He doesn’t fairly looking at players and make right decisions to put this team in the best position. Reechi isn’t no help . Players are playing one and done. They don’t like be talk to on the bench anymore.
I think Mike Sullivan gets too much of a pass in all of this. The two consecutive Stanley Cups is a barrier to any useful conversation about the job he’s done.
2015 -16 season was really, really good because players were very hungry , trades, it was grit and heart supporting cast that did whatever it takes to wins every game. They were behind the cups runs and playing out their minds. They play for one another and had next an up mentality.
C’mon. It evident. There’s a disconnect with Sully and players. Rutherford too. Sidney Crosby was frustrated last season every shift on the bench and took frustration out with some penalties. Very mad on the bench. He’s still double-shifting and no consistent wingers.
Malkin is very frustrated, constantly working hard to create something, carrying extra load on his shoulders and taking bad frustrated penalties. Head down. Sulivan talks to him on the bench and seem to go in one ear to another. Not playing fun hockey.
Mike Sullivan and Mark Reechi needs to be fired. Things needs to be changes within this team. Some trades would help too. Fresh Blood Johnson, Blueger and Angello should get a chance.
Everyone claimed and know theirs loyalty between them. He won’t get fired.
Rick Tocchet and Jason Botterill is truly missed. No one wants to admit it.
Everyone is untouchable except for 87, 71 81, 72, 59, 8, 4, 6
I would like for Määttä to stay. I think something happened to him with the coaching staff that hurt his confidence early during training. He was fine . I just think he would get better we better coaching. That my opinion. It is what it is .
Riikola needs to develop and jury is still out him. I’m not sold on him.
I don’t understand the serious doting on Kris Letang. He brings nothing to do table.
He has been the same for years. He’s being exposed more because he plays with Jack Johnson. Jack Johnson is brutal too. They both suck. Letang is one the Penguins’ problems . He needs to be traded. I don’t care about Shultz’s absence. He shouldn not be excuse . Letang is a problem, Penguins organization won’t acknowledge it, it has been going for years, it won’t get better with him and they are wasting their time not seeking a trade. Waiting will make matters worse. It’s brutal.
At end of day, fresh young WB/S Players to be call -up And one to two more trade will help. But it won’t matter with how the coaching staff schemes, constant line shuffling/terrible combos and goaltending situation is going. It’s fixable.
We can agree to disagree. Matt Murray isn’t the answer. He just isn’t. He’s a good goalie. Not a starting #1 goalie. Yes. Overall defensive breakdowns needs to be better. Whether it’s Murray or everyone fault. Within Sullivan high tempo/high risk system that only care about offensive tactics and constant pinching with ineffective passing to players. Murray gotta steal games, make momentum saves and stand firm in the net. Better with glove hand. Shooters tendencies and unscreened shots. He’s isnt. One year and half . Same Ole same.
It needs to be fixed now. Better supporting cast around the stars, new speedy young two – way players and new voice that will help this team. Coach Quenneville is my choice.
Ship has sail with Mike Sullivan. It’s time to move on.
I do not want to see 5-7 more years left of Sid and Geno being wasted holding to coach that’s clearly has been under-performing.
Hello ToR, I would love you perspective too. I have been hearing trade rumors and Rutherford heavily calling teams to make trades.
Hey Dee,
I couldn’t agree more! I said something very similar to your thoughts on Sullivan on my last post. Sullivan IS a HUGE part of the problem!!!! I listened to the old 29er try and defend Sullie and his incompetent decision making last night on the radio pre-game show. It almost made me literally sick. I liked Bourque when he played and I appreciate someone who sticks up for the organization, if there is evidence to support what they say. However, in this case, all the evidence, and over-whelming amount of evidence now says Sullivan needs to change and up his game or be changed. In this case, Bourque should have just said nothing. Not only should you say nothing if you have nothing good to say, you should say nothing if you have to lie to say something good.
On Defense, Schultz, Oleksiak, Riikola, and Dumoulin would stay, everyone else would be shown the door. Maatta may indeed be in the same boat as Sprong, used up here. He look horrible on a couple of plays last night, standing around looking lost while the puck was going the other way.
Offensively, Crosby, Malkin, Kessel, Guentzel, and Hornqvist get passes. They are all range from solid to great. Everyone else is expendable.
Highest on the list of moving is Brassard and/or Sheahan. Blueger and/or Angello should be given legit TOI to set up for next season. (Yes, I have just about given up on this year – it could still turn around, anything is possible but for the long term good of the team, let it go. fall down, get back up stronger and go from there)
My real objective here is as I wrote in my last post is find a way to free up Cap space to go after Panarin in the off season
Going into camp next year at Center I would be giving Bellerive, Blueger, Angello, and Pavlychev legit shots at an NHL roster spot behind Crosby and Malkin.
On RW, I do like Rust’s speed and the tenacity he used to show, but right now he is, as you called them, a passenger. He is doing nothing offensively nor defensively, he is gone unless he really turns his game around before I find a willing trade partner. As much as I like Hornqvist and Kessel, I am sorry, if the right offer comes, I take it. Neither of these players are the problem, but sometimes you have to give to get and to get younger, you may need to give up something. I can’t imagine anyone I would trade Kessel for, but I would listen. For Hornqvist, because he lacks the speed needed to play Penguin hockey, there may be a trade I could come up with. Sprong, well as much as I hate to give up on him, unless Sullivan is axed, like before the month is out, I would have to try and trade to get something in return. Sullivan ruined this kid. Did you here me Phil Bourque – your comments yesterday where way, way off the mark, Sullivan has ruined this kid. No one other than Guentzel, Kessel, and Hornqvist have earned time on Crosby or Malkin’s wing yet Sullivan keeps giving them failed looks. Get over it old 29er!!!!
On LW, I give Pearson a legit shot, but reality tells me only Guentzel gets a pass here. Simon has shown some flashes but nothing more. Furthermore he is another passer on a team full of passers. This team needs shooters. On a team loaded with left handed Centers it is hard for a LW to really thrive, but come on, somebody has to do something.
Next season, from within, not counting any trades or possible top 5 picks that may come in here, at Wing I give Bjorkqvist, Hallander, A. Johnson, Angello, Miletic, Aston-Reese, and Sprong (if he manages to still be around and Sullivan is gone) a real shot at making the NHL roster.
In Goal. Sorry, I do disagree here. Murray struggled last game, but this game he may have been pulled, but he had no shot at any of those goals. The Defense, as usual was absent. The previous loss, yes even on the 5 – 3 play there were shots he should have stopped. Point may have still gotten his hat trick but not on at least one of those shots. That was a winnable game. DeSmith is a battler and a capable back up and/or shared starter. I also still think Jarry is a big time goalie. Give any combination of these 3 guys half of a chance to get their confidence by putting legit NHL Defensemen on the ice with anything resembling a fair to good system and they will come through for you. However, it may take some time to get out from under the psychological damage incurred from watching other teams practice their odd-man breaks and tip/screen game in front of you for as long as it has been happening here in Pgh.
I may go after Quennville as Sullivan’s replacement, but I may choose Donatelli. Despite Pgh not really having solid prospects, he has found a way to keep them playing fairly well.
Hey Dee and Other Rick,
I agree with a lot of what you say. And I, too, am beginning to wonder if Mike Sullivan’s part of the problem rather than the solution.
It sure seems like the team is tuning him out. He increasingly looks like an island unto himself on the bench…with little chemistry and interaction with the other coaches. A problem, I think, since Rick Tocchet left.
Also, by divesting the team of big personalities like Ian Cole and Ryan Reaves (which, I’m sure, Sullivan encouraged) his is probably the only voice the players hear. I’m not sure that’s such a good thing.
It’s beginning to remind me of the way the team looked (and played) during the final month or so under Michel Therrien and, for that matter, Mike Johnston. Everyone looks miserable and beaten down, with little jump, life or spirit.
Personnel wise, it’s obvious we’re not the same team we were a couple of years ago. We’re older, bigger and slower. Yet Sullivan still seems to encourage an attacking style predicated largely on the speed we no longer possess.
While we don’t want to turn into New Jersey on the Mon, I think he needs to adjust his style to fit his personnel. I’m not sure if he’s capable of…or open to…doing that.
Jim Rutherford shares in the culpability here. We won two Cups…particularly the first one…by playing a speed game. His moves since then have generally made us slower. So he’s not providing Sullivan with the personnel he needs to succeed.
For the Pens to have any real chance, JR and Sully need to get on the same page…pronto.
Rick
Hey Rick &ToR,
Absolutely.
Määttä- I have no problem with him. He isn’t the problem on this team. I am Määttä fan. He deserves to stay. Yes. He can look slow at times. Not as brutal people try to make him out to be. I rather have player that work hard, commit to every detail to help his team. Pens fans are always scapegoating him. Letang is above criticism. Several fans suggest Letang is defensively better than Dumoulin and he’s still #1 two way defenseman for this team. Delusional.
He works hard, offensively and defensively. Skates hard to get back to stop his small mistakes and his partner. I would like him to stay. He needs better coaching to his strengths.and consistent defensive partner. He plays quiet mature games . Solid great Defenseman to me. Biggest things he needs consistency and the same partner. He isn’t getting that. Results and good body of work is there. I would keep him over Kris Letang . Very young and promising.
I don’t see Rutherford trading him at all.
That’s my opinion.
Penguins Organization- Sometimes they have company people who defend at wrong times. Yes Man all the times. Bad Accountability. They are blind and weak to stand up to people in the wrong. Ole 29er got it wrong. Sullivan is the problem. Huge Problem . It seem to me that Sully is above criticism ( from fans , media and organization)and players taking the blame.
15-20% on them.
Sully should be in the doghouse and fired. Pens are lost right now. There are to many issues.
Sheahan, Rust, Brassard, Sprong, Letang should be on the trade list. Sprong should be swap for player or draft pick. (Agree with Phil’s comment)Take it. I thought Puljuravi would be a great swap to this team.
My last take?
Penguins are better without Kris Letang and Jack Johnson. I always stand firm Penguins are better without Kris Letang. Several times it was evident when Penguins had defenseman depth 2016-17 it showed they are more competent to win games with one another. For many years, it showed Penguins can do better without him. Obviously. I believe Pens should swing a deal to add great top 4 RHD and give WB/S Defensemen some ice time on the team. They do that. Pens D can better together. Without Justin Shultz
Yes . I’m not a fan Kris Letang. Obviously. From business standpoint, among my other fair points , Letang is on the other side of 30 years old, he will not get any better, he won’t help win games, he plays to high risk /out control hockey, ok offensively and bad defensively, he can bring back a significant decent return and Penguins can give something they needs to strengthen this team. Help now and Rebuild for the future.
Chad Ruhwedel – I have no problem with him. He plays solid and do his job. He’s very, very good. Dumoulin and Rudwedel has been good together. I would keep him and give Ethan Prow so games to see what he can offer. Riikola needs to develop more and control his excitement in games.
For the Penguins to have any chance this season,Coaching changes , build cohesion identity,some system adjustments, good line combos for 10-40 games to build consistent chemistry , bring that resilience to win game and Good significant chances needs to happen.
It might work. It’s players out there on other teams that belong here. Passengers needs to go. Rosters are open and need to be more warm bodies to win games.
End of November and December to do it.
Players are the reflection of management and coaching staff. I believe those changes will help them and make them better than ever. Only time will tell.
I’m hoping Sidney Crosby is recovering well and taking needed rest.
Hi Rick
We have a serious problem my friend.
This Pens team reminds me of the time Edmonton and the NY Islanders
before, when they started to fall from their glory days.
Everyone thought they would bounce back but they
never did. Why? Because nobody had the guts to trade
Franchise Super Star players until they were washed up,and received little
in return.
That is the Main problem with the Pens.
Yes we want to all trade Letang. But given his medical history and
his contract he is worthless in securing a big return.
Kessel is only slightly better because it was proven in TO
he can not carry a team as Crosby or Malkin can.His return is limited.
Really you are left with Crosby, Malkin and Murray as serious trade bait.
Maybe Shultz… ??? Really.
Because we traded away our farm system to get us where we are today we
have no budding super star to move forward.We need fresh players to compete.
Elite players, not hole pluggers or regergitated AHL talent.We are getting older, slower, and less talented where as many other teams have surpassed us.
Once again I remember an Edmonton sports radio show saying at the time
of the Draft for Mc David , the Oilers rumored to offer the Mc David pick and Ryan Nugent Hopkins for Geno. Obviously it never happened.
But my friend, what would the Pens look like today if that had happened…
This is the kind of BOLD leadership the Pens need if they ever want to lift the
Cup in the next 5 years!! But it will never happen.
Sadly.
For me.. Everyone is on the trade block except Sid.. But be smart about it.
Congratulations on your new book Rick.
Cheers Jim
PS: This will get them riled up for sure. Say hi to Phil and Coach
when u see them. 😀
Hey Jim,
So good to hear from you, my old friend. And you are spot-on with your comments…as well as your comparisons to the old Islanders and Oilers dynasties.
Other Rick and I were discussing this the other day at the gym. Hindsight is always 20/20, but Jim Rutherford probably should’ve retooled prior to last season instead of going for a three-peat, with an eye toward winning another Cup a year or two down the road.
It would’ve been tough to do, and Penguins Nation would’ve no doubt screamed for JR’s scalp. But we might be in a better position today if he had.
Stan Bowman did a good job of keeping the mix fresh in Chicago…mostly by shuffling his second-tier guys and supporting cast. It’s a big part of the reason the Hawks won three Cups over a six-season span.
Still, it would’ve taken enormous courage on Jim Rutherford’s part to do it…especially if you’re looking at parting with a Malkin or a Kessel. As you so aptly noted, you’re almost never going to get equal value in return for those guys from an established player standpoint, so you’d better be square-on in your judgment when you acquire prospects and/or invest in draft picks.
Case in point…does anyone remember the guys we got for Jaromir Jagr back in 2001, or Alex Kovalev in 2003?
And as well as Bowman retooled in Chicago, even he couldn’t part with core guys Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews and Duncan Keith. You see where the Hawks are now…roughly the same spot as our Pens.
It’s why teams don’t win Cups year after year after year. Every championship team has a life cycle. What goes up must…eventually…come back to earth. It’s part of what makes it so special.
Rick
PS–Hope all is well, my friend… 🙂
Hey Rick,
You mean Ross Lupashuk, Kris Beech, Michal Sivek and the old reliable future considerations for Jagr and Kucera?
or Joel Bouchard, Richard Lintner, Rico Fata, and Mikael Samuelsson for Kovalev, Mike Wilson, Janne Laukkanen, and Dan LaCouture?
I really don’t think that the Champion eternal cycle is a universal invariant. I do think that a team can break that cycle. It requires a ton of intestinal fortitude to do that though. It takes what you alluded to above, a GM has to put sentimentality aside and evaluate each player as to whether or not they are now more valuable to the team as trade bait or not. Letang was never on par with Crosby or Malkin and should never have been given that fat contract in the first place. He then should have been traded several different times. As a Jekyll and Hyde player there were several times his stock was up and the team could have gotten out from under it. We are once again in a time such as that. Trade Letang!!! He is putting up offensive numbers. Ask for his 8 team trade list.
Trading Letang probably won’t save the day this year, but start thinking about next year. Think about who you could sign in the off season with that money.
Well said Coach. Agree.
We need to move a few more as well. Phil the Thrill and maybe Murray while he still has great value.
Of course we are talking about getting players and high picks of equal or potentially equal value.
( How about William Nylander of Toronto for Phil? TO fans will never go for that…but TO needs to win it all this year before several big contracts for Matthews, Mariner and others will take their toll on the roster next year? )
Cheers
Jim
Hey Jim,
I am not unfeeling. There are several players that I would love to see play our their careers in Pgh. Crosby and Malkin top the list on this team.
MAF was another, but I got over it. It made sense to sacrifice him. Right now, despite playing on a much better defensive team, MAF has a Sv% of only 0.901.
Phil the Thrill is another I would love to see finish here in Pgh. Perhaps I am in the minority. However, I am not tied to that. Nylander is an interesting thought. Last I saw he was asking in the $8mil range. Kessel is only a $6.8 mil hit on the Pens. They would have to get creative or make additional trades to even out the money.
The more I think about that, that is an interesting idea.
Question, since you are closer to Toronto, what is the realistic probability of Tor making that play?
Probably a 2% chance Coach and that is being generous. TOR have given Phil a bad rap during his time there. He is a great talent but in my opinion he needs great players to play with to maximize his production.
Thanks for the reply.
Jim
Rick – Article is spot on. Only way out.
1) Trade Letang, Trade Letang, Trade Letang
2) They desperately need a couple of physical – high energy bottom
six players to plug into the line-up. Everyone wants to rip Tom
Wilson but his impact on the Caps line-up is invaluable. Their
2 – 0 since his return.
3) Go with DeCasey Smith until Murray gets himself mentally correct.
He’s in a serious funk.
4) What I truly find ironic is Sheary and Revo our out goal scoring all
of our bottom “6” forwards. I’m starting to wonder if it has something
to do with Sully system. I believe Sunquist (spelling)?? scored his
4th of the season last night and he missed time with an injury.
Hey Rick,
Everything is fixable. The question really is are the Penguins willing to do what it takes to fix themselves. The first step is to acknowledge there is a problem. The second step is to look critically at themselves. There are tons of problems with this team; all are fixable, but the team will not acknowledge that Letang is a problem, the team will not acknowledge that Sullivan or his inability to look at his players objectively is a problem. Letang keeps playing, Sprong keeps sitting.