Dear Santa,
I know we are coming down to the wire. The countdown is down to days, not weeks, and soon will be down to hours. Hopefully, I am not too late. But you see, Santa, I am not writing to you on my behalf. I am writing to you on behalf of my favorite hockey team, the Pittsburgh Penguins and their loyal fans. The gifts I am asking for are for them.
1. Please Santa, can you bring the team two, young, top six forwards; a Right Wing (RW) to flank team captain Sidney Crosby and a Left Wing (LW) to patrol the port side of the fiery Evgeni Malkin. These two Centers do deserve some help. They have been trying to carry a team that has allowed its talent level to deteriorate; giving one lame excuse after another. The fault is not theirs. (I would love to be their Chiropractor – after carrying this load, this long….All I am saying is I would have definitely had a good year – financially)
I know Tanner Pearson is looking really good in a Penguin uniform, but he just hasn’t looked to be the right fit in a top 6 role. However, he does look like a legitimate threat to build a third line around.
If it is too late to get legitimate NHL calibre top six forwards, could you at least bring Bryan Rust and Zach Aston-Reese enough mojo to last long enough to get the team through the season.
2. The team really needs a top 5 draft pick too, Santa. Could you please bring them one. Even if it means trading away an overpaid aging talent, or actually falling themselves for a season (1 step backwards to take 3 or 4 steps forward). They could use that pick to address the long term need of a young top six forward (Right now I am thinking Vasili Podkolzin – but your smarter than me Santa, you pick).
3. Derick Brassard, some mojo of his own. With Patric Hornqvist coming back soon and the way Tanner Pearson is looking this could turn into a force. Maybe they won’t be the second coming of the HBK line, but solid contribution from here would be great.
4. Defensemen, Defensemen, Defensemen! My favorite hockey team is spending tons of money on Defensemen that aren’t getting the job done. They have been averaging over 40 Shots Against (SA) per game over these last three games. Please Santa, either bring some defensive acumen to at least five of these Defensemen; Brian Dumoulin, Jack Johnson, Kris Letang, Olli Maatta, Jaimie Oleksiak, and Marcus Pettersson.
Even if you bring defensive acumen to five of these players, the team will still need a Right Handed Defenseman (RHD). Please, bring the team a real RHD. It could be Ethan Prow. He is looking pretty good right now, statistically, in Wilkes Barre – Scranton (WBS). I’ll leave that up to you though Santa.
5. Our Penguins could also use Goaltending coaching like they had under Mike Bales. The team does have two or maybe even three NHL Goaltenders, but the coaching staff is failing them. Either bring Mike Buckley some of Mike Bales magic or give the team the impetus to recognize part of the decline in Goaltending may be the pathetic state of the defense, but also their Goaltenders haven’t been the same since Bales left.
6. Kris Letang could use some self control Santa. If you are not bringing a trade to free up some Cap space to be put to better use, then Santa could you bring Letang enough self control to stop making impetuous leaps into the offensive zone, bad passes, and keep him from chirping to the referees, potentially biasing them against the whole team because of his temper.
7. New Coaching or new Coaching. Santa, I thought I understood why Mike Sullivan didn’t get a Jack Adams nomination when he turned the Penguins around in December 2015-2016 and won the Stanley Cup. The team really wasn’t his. The team was built by others and he was just steering the ship. I was mistakenly became irate when Sullivan was passed over for even a nomination when defending that Cup. I still was laboring behind home town colored glasses though much of the season last season. There now seems to be very good reasons why Sullivan was passed over. With so many of the players that bought Sullivan that Cup and fame having been unceremoniously run out of town or defected before they too got dumped and this team is now molded into Sullivan’s image, well, its failing. I now see why he was passed over for the Jack Adams. I need look no further than his declining Points Percentage (Pts%) as the team transformed into “his” team, that is now fighting for its playoff life.
| Season | GP | W | L | OL | Pts | Pts% | Standings |
| 2015-16 | 54 | 33 | 16 | 5 | 71 | .657 | 2nd |
| 2016-17 | 82 | 50 | 21 | 11 | 111 | .677 | 2nd |
| 2017-18 | 82 | 47 | 29 | 6 | 100 | .610 | 2nd |
| 2018-19 | 33 | 15 | 12 | 6 | 36 | .545 | 4th |
* I am not saying that I want Sullivan fired for Christmas, Santa. Not if you can bring him some knowledge of how to coach. I would think some clues on what Sullivan needs can be found in his pregame interview before the Penguins – Ducks game a few days ago. Rather than trying to minimize any discussion of his serious guffaw in forcing young sniper and probably best fit for Crosby’s RW, Daniel Sprong, out of town. Sullivan kept giving lame excuse after lame excuse – backed up by a host of yes men that tried to help obfuscate the truth, including media types.
Sullivan and his yes men first tried to defend Sprong’s lack of playing time saying that the Penguins’ RW position was log jammed with high end talent and he cited Phil Kessel, Patric Hornqvist, and Bryan Rust and others. This excuse could have worked if he would have stopped after referencing Kessel and Hornqvist and he actually played both of those players in top six roles. If he didn’t reference Rust and then infer others, most people would not have thought to hard about the excuse. Sprong is not now and may not ever quite be Kessel in the sniper department (but then again, he may grow into an equal) and there is only one Hornqvist. However, it was very rare that Sullivan deployed Kessel and Hornqvist, both in top six roles at the same time. For the vast majority of the time he played one of those two players as the third line RW.
As for Rust, Dominik Simon, and the others that where implied, sorry, Sullivan, you obviously do not have an eye for talent. There are no other players on this roster, right now, who have the skill set that Sprong could bring, to fill Crosby’s starboard side.
* Sullivan then tried to defend not giving Sprong ice time by saying that the kid was weak defensively. Again, it would appear that Sullivan has a critical thinking gap. Until most recently, Matt Cullen and Riley Sheahan at least had worse defensive statistics and were getting copiously more ice time, despite being less effective defensively and offensively and Bryan Rust wasn’t hat much better defensively, but until recently couldn’t hit the ocean with a beach ball.
* Sullivan then posed perhaps the worst excuse of all. the one which really condemns his last couple of seasons of coaching. Sullivan tried to hide behind the excuse, although he recognized Sprong as a talent, that he doesn’t have the time to develop kids. Sorry Sullivan, the position of coach entails many parts, including teaching the new players. This is a truism that transcends all disciplines, civilian and military. The onus is on the man in charge to see that all personnel below him are trained well enough to succeed.
The Head Coach doesn’t have to be an expert in all spheres under his control, but he is responsible for finding a person to assist him to cover his weaknesses. If Sullivan lacks the ability and/or patience to bring along young talent, he needs to find an assistant to delegate the task. If does neither and the team doesn’t develop its own young talent it is doomed. The value in dollars of the team is only going to plummet.
Of course, in saying that he doesn’t have time to develop young talent, Sullivan could be saying that he is too afraid of losing to try and win.
Also, there have been those with whom I have talked who have said Sullivan’s ego is such that he can’t stand big personalities in the locker room. I am not sure if I believe this accusation; Crosby and Malkin may be rather humble compared to many athletes, but I would think still represent larger personalities. However, with the dispatching of locker room presences such as Marc-Andre Fleury, Ian Cole, Ryan Reaves, and now Sprong (many people have said Sprong was too large of personality as well), it is hard to totally ignore this potentiality.
So, rather than get a new Coach, Santa, could you bring Mike Sullivan; honesty, talent evaluation skills (all the way from the top down to who is on the ice with who), the ability to teach young players or an assistant that can do that for him, courage to try and win rather than the fear of losing that seems to permeate his regime, and the wisdom coexist with large personalities in his locker room and the knowledge of how to get them on his side to use them motivate the rest of the team – rather than the jealousy that caused him to throw away very important puzzle pieces.
Sincerely,
the Other Rick
Odds and Sods
While we were sleeping the New York Islanders used their game in hand to extend their lead over our Penguins to a full 2 points rather than trusting just in a tie breaker by dumping Arizona 3 – 1. Meantime, the New York Islanders gained 2 points on the Penguins by defeating Anaheim by the same 3 – 1 score, taking advantage of Anaheim on the back end of back-to-back games.
It doesn’t get any easier for our Penguins’ schedule as we close in on Christmas; next up the division leading Capitals tonight, followed by Minnesota tomorrow night, and then divisional rival Carolina on Saturday.
PS Santa 6 more points before Christmas would be nice too!
Hello TOR,
Welcome.
No problem.
Your website and that site have very truth and no sugarcoating to It.He gets it. Especially your site. I love and appreciate this site!!!
A win is a win. Minnesota is a boring hockey team. Whatever it takes. I’m happy about the 2 points on B2b games.. I love the Pk..
I just feel like if they keep playing like this . Without cohesive strong lines and chemistry it will get more ugly..
Every game , I’m extremely disappointed and it’s hard not be critical on the things I see.
Penguins are just not a fun exciting , loose , inspiration ,cohesive team. There’s no chemistry and happy players. They are only happy when they score a goal.
I understand being human and tiredness from brutal hockey. I just don’t see no difference with them. I continuously blame coaching staff.
Players are not play to their potential and comfort level.
They do not play simplified/take what the opponents give you. They don’t battle Dow low or go to the dirty areas with heavy forecheck . Defenseman weak with puck and bad puck decisions. They get stripped a lot and beat a lot on the ice.
They don’t beat traffic to the net and make goalies work. Especially tall goalies. They are all over the place. Crosby and Guentzel are doing it. Battling and simplifying the game. Both sides of puck. Taking beats from opponents . Get in the netminder face. Supporting one another. On the same page and ready for hockey.
I don’t come away with a improved play hard against team every I’m flabbergasted and disappointed. I just have some many questions and I can’t believe some things I see.
Penguins are just string scramble wins together.
I feel like this team is playing very scared to make mistakes and a lot cancer on this team. A lot of passengers. Pretty much a lot of tension between coaches and players. They don’t what to be on the ice . Stars keys players are down and miserable. (Except Gochar and Martin) Run with one line and occasionally ok depth. scoring
Nothing against Riikola. I rather see him develop more in WB/S . I think he can benefit from it. He isn’t playing consistency to get more filled to withstand this lead. He’s good. I rather see Rudwedel. It’s crazy Johnson poor him down and I would like to see Patterson without Johnson. Maybe it’s me. Johnson should be scratched. I don’t like his game. Offensively and Defensively.
Thierrien,Blysma and Johnston type team in one.
Penguins had glaring issues last season. This season is icing on the cake.
Sorry. I have to be somewhat critical here. Foremost, I love Penguins organization first. I think Penguins happens to stop the slowing bleeding and deadweight that holding back to succeed more. I want the best for them.
First———— Brassard? Brassard happens to go. He’s a cancerous dead weight to this team. Brings nothing to the table.
He’s hurt than team than helping it . Rutherford should’ve pulled the trigger when had a chance this summer. Eye test give all that you need for him. He only get points when someone hard work capitalizing to get him a goal, playing with Sid&Jake and some powerplay time. Derick Brassard wasn’t never a fit to this team. Penguins scouts got it wrong on this trade. Gave up to much. Honestly, I prefer Cole and Reaves here. Really Duchene or Coyle. Someone else . Younger and committed to this team . Penguins lost the trade
. Second———- Malkin ? Malkin is really fighting and try his best do everything he can on the ice . More than some slump. I know Greatest of all time players go through slumps through their hockey career and they are very much human on the ice. I feel resemblance of last season with Crosby . He still get it from coaching staff tactics. More than ever Malkin’s line and Crosby’s line is getting deployed with Jack Johnson while Määttä isn’t getting that much time with them. Very bad.
It was more than just slumps. It was the coaching staff and bad strategies on line combos. Malkin is miserable and very down. It’s goes beyond slumping. Dupuis confirmed everything I have been seeing , discussions with you and others around the organization. Malkin will eventually come out his slump. There could be where he doesn’t like to playing with Brassard and Johnson. I believe coaching staff needs to change, ASAP.
Phil is in the same boat as Malkin. Sullivan needs to let him be. Work with them . Stop the tension. Get them best out them. Stop wanting have a HBK line and flipping lines continuously. ..etc.. Kessel’s and Malkin’s are easily to find on a team.
Coaches are replaceable.
Three———-Simon? I understand he’s just came back from injury. I’m not sold on Zar either. Zar was good there . I’m not sure what Dominik Simon has done to warrant jumping right back into a top-6 role playing with Kessel and Malkin. They do not need another playmaker there . To make matters worse he flipped lines where Brassard and Keesel. Like Rutherford said over and over again on many occasions. He doesn’t want them in the top six. Bottom 6 Middle Players.Malkin needs a LW that battles space for him. Carry some dirty work and score from time to time. Very speedy and defensively mind. Simon is odd fit . I hope to not see him with the top line.
Four——————Powerplay is atrocious. Shultz is truly missed. I think other defenseman can rotate this season without Shultz. Malkin and Kessel on their wrong sides. Atrocious quarterback from Letang. They can convert on 5 on 4 or 5 or 3 .Extra attacker’s too
Five—————Leadership. There’s nothing wrong with Crosby and Malkin leadership at all. I don’t care for Letang. I don’t see leadership on the ice from him. That’s me. It is what is. Malkin and Crosby need more leadership add with them on their back end on the ice. Puck possession management , more heart and accountability on the ice. Battle test guys that get their nose dirty. Do whatever takes behind the Stars without watching them too much.. High more energy guy. It hard to describe. They want to help and be great calm leader around them to get wins.. Hornqvist is great for that. But Knitz, Fluery and Cole brought that .
Penguins missed that. I hope you get the point.
6————- they give up to much shots and teams spend to much on their zone.. Neutral zone problem s..
7 ———-I will leaving it that. It sucks to be critical. I hate it. I just don’t like to see Geno and Sid more great years being wasted. I would like them to win another cup. At same time it needs to be better time around them . I don’t like to see Geno unhappy on the ice. I don’t like them sacrificing themselves in point production..
Hey Dee,
Well as Wilson wrote the the best way of getting that Cup is to maximize your big guns; Crosby, Malkin, and Kessel. It is great that Rust is contributing now, but Sullivan has to realize that the Big 3 drive this bus.
Hey TOR,
Yup . That’s my point. Guentzel and Hornqvist are very much up there too with them. Especially Guentzel . He’s becoming more and more the top 4 player with them. Sullivan needs to understand that. He’s putting fringe nhl players (his players)before them …
Rust? He wouldn’t stay consistent enough and won’t last on Crosby’s line. He getting it easy right now. Funny he gets it easy after a Hatty with a good 3rd line. I still think he shouldn’t be there either.(top line) Bottom 6 complementary winger. His Hockey level doesn’t fit them.. It never really work and hurts Sid&Jake goal production..
Either way, Malkin, Crosby, Kessel comes first…
Hey Dee,
Agreed, Guentzel and Hornqvist are important. Guentzel has always shown he knows how to be in the right place at the right time. He has strong hockey IQ. He gets to where the puck is going before most players see the play develop. (He isn’t quite on par with a Crosby, but he is darn good.) That way it often looks like the puck is following him around the ice. That is why he always seems to be in position to make plays like the 2 he made last night to set up Rust
Hello TOR,
Welcome.
No problem.
Your website and that site have very truth and no sugarcoating to It.He gets it. Especially your site. I love and appreciate this site!!!
A win is a win. Minnesota is a boring hockey team. Whatever it takes. I’m happy about the 2 points on B2b games.. I love the Pk..
I just feel like if they keep playing like this . Without cohesive strong lines and chemistry it will get more ugly..
Every game , I’m extremely disappointed and it’s hard not be critical on the things I see.
Penguins are just not a fun exciting , loose , inspiration ,cohesive team. There’s no chemistry and happy players. They are only happy when they score a goal.
I understand being human and tiredness from brutal hockey. I just don’t see no difference with them. I continuously blame coaching staff.
Players are not play to their potential and comfort level.
They do not play simplified/take what the opponents give you. They don’t battle Dow low or go to the dirty areas with heavy forecheck . Defenseman weak with puck and bad puck decisions. They get stripped a lot and beat a lot on the ice.
They don’t beat traffic to the net and make goalies work. Especially tall goalies. They are all over the place. Crosby and Guentzel are doing it. Battling and simplifying the game. Both sides of puck. Taking beats from opponents . Get in the netminder face. Supporting one another. On the same page and ready for hockey.
I don’t come away with a improved play hard against team every I’m flabbergasted and disappointed. I just have some many questions and I can’t believe some things I see.
Penguins are just string scramble wins together.
I feel like this team is playing very scared to make mistakes and a lot cancer on this team. A lot of passengers. Pretty much a lot of tension between coaches and players. They don’t what to be on the ice . Stars keys players are down and miserable. (Except Gochar and Martin) Run with one line and occasionally ok depth. scoring
Nothing against Riikola. I rather see him develop more in WB/S . I think he can benefit from it. He isn’t playing consistency to get more filled to withstand this lead. He’s good. I rather see Rudwedel. It’s crazy Johnson poor him down and I would like to see Patterson without Johnson. Maybe it’s me. Johnson should be scratched. I don’t like his game. Offensively and Defensively.
Thierrien,Blysma and Johnston type team in one.
Penguins had glaring issues last season. This season is icing on the cake.
Sorry. I have to be somewhat critical here. Foremost, I love Penguins organization first. I think Penguins happens to stop the slowing bleeding and deadweight that holding back to succeed more. I want the best for them.
First———— Brassard? Brassard happens to go. He’s a cancerous dead weight to this team. Brings nothing to the table.
He’s hurt than team than helping it . Rutherford should’ve pulled the trigger when had a chance this summer. Eye test give all that you need for him. He only get points when someone hard work capitalizing to get him a goal, playing with Sid&Jake and some powerplay time. Derick Brassard wasn’t never a fit to this team. Penguins scouts got it wrong on this trade. Gave up to much. Honestly, I prefer Cole and Reaves here. Really Duchene or Coyle. Someone else . Younger and committed to this team . Penguins lost the trade
. Second———- Malkin ? Malkin is really fighting and try his best do everything he can on the ice . More than some slump. I know Greatest of all time players go through slumps through their hockey career and they are very much human on the ice. I feel resemblance of last season with Crosby . He still get it from coaching staff tactics. More than ever Malkin’s line and Crosby’s line is getting deployed with Jack Johnson while Määttä isn’t getting that much time with them. Very bad.
It was more than just slumps. It was the coaching staff and bad strategies on line combos. Malkin is miserable and very down. It’s goes beyond slumping. Dupuis confirmed everything I have been seeing , discussions with you and others around the organization. Malkin will eventually come out his slump. There could be where he doesn’t like to playing with Brassard and Johnson. I believe coaching staff needs to change, ASAP.
Phil is in the same boat as Malkin. Sullivan needs to let him be. Work with them . Stop the tension. Get them best out them. Stop wanting have a HBK line and flipping lines continuously. ..etc.. Kessel’s and Malkin’s are easily to find on a team.
Coaches are replaceable.
Three———-Simon? I understand he’s just came back from injury. I’m not sold on Zar either. Zar was good there . I’m not sure what Dominik Simon has done to warrant jumping right back into a top-6 role playing with Kessel and Malkin. They do not need another playmaker there . To make matters worse he flipped lines where Brassard and Keesel. Like Rutherford said over and over again on many occasions. He doesn’t want them in the top six. Bottom 6 Middle Players.Malkin needs a LW that battles space for him. Carry some dirty work and score from time to time. Very speedy and defensively mind. Simon is odd fit . I hope to not see him with the top line.
Four——————Powerplay is atrocious. Shultz is truly missed. I think other defenseman can rotate this season without Shultz. Malkin and Kessel on their wrong sides. Atrocious quarterback from Letang. They can convert on 5 on 4 or 5 or 3 .Extra attacker’s too
Five—————Leadership. There’s nothing wrong with Crosby and Malkin leadership at all. I don’t care for Letang. I don’t see leadership on the ice from him. That’s me. It is what is. Malkin and Crosby need more leadership add with them on their back end on the ice. Puck possession management , more heart and accountability on the ice. Battle test guys that get their nose dirty. Do whatever takes behind the Stars without watching them too much.. High more energy guy. It hard to describe. They want to help and be great calm leader around them to get wins.. Hornqvist is great for that. But Knitz, Fluery and Cole brought that .
Penguins missed that. I hope you get the point.
6————I will leaving it that. It sucks to be critical. I hate it. I just don’t like to see Geno and Sid more great years being wasted. I would like them to win another cup. At same time it needs to be better time around them . I don’t like to see Geno unhappy on the ice. I don’t like them sacrificing themselves in point production..
Hello ToR,
I don’t think my comment getting through to replies to you..
I’m believe Dupuis and he has nothing to gain for this. He’s very close with Sid&Geno.. Kessel too. (certain extent) Dupuis loves this team. Close relationship with Sid. I knew someone would come out and say it.. I’m just surprised it him. I already knew it. Sorry. I would like to see Crosby or Malkin scream at him on the bench. Sullivan already say stuff to them where they look piss and don’t want to be near him. him
I feel like Sullivan try to get you believe what his put out to media all time. Very suspect. He habit to let players take them blame and completely lost at times. Sullivan has too much favoritism , to much trust in NHL fringe players and just stay above water behind two elite centers..
Sullivan needs leave Phil alone. Let him play and produce. Geno too.
I still would like Sullivan to be fired. Maybe firing Recchi may help help. Rick Tocchet is truly missed. I still believe at some point Mike Sullivan will be fired this season . To many issues with players and insubordination against Rutherford’s wishes.. I have my reasons why I believe he should be fired and that Penguins players can benefit from it.
I can help to that think if Penguins have probably new eyes from somewhere else around the organization to give them better perspective to have better players from WB/S a chance to play up here, give wingers to Sid&Geno and just give this some better life to this team. I still don’t understand Penguins never give Crosby’s better effective wingers that fit him. I’m very happy Guentzel is playing with him. But I truly think Mike Sullivan doesn’t like him for some reason. I think he rather Simon, Rust and Sheary there. Unbelievable that Sid is so humble to just play with bottom liners. I can’t help to think he would’ve been up over 600 goals with better linemates.
I still don’t know Johnson and Angello are not up here. Adam Johnston has it.
2 point is good . Penguins have a long way to go. Murray was ok good. He still happens to battle to be strong against the pipes. Hard time with trapping puck, 5holes, tracking pucks, angles in the net. He probably needs to fight through it more. Idk. Better patient game from with the puck. I would like them to win to tonight.
Dupuis:
Dupuis said of Sullivan, Malkin and Kessel: “I’m not sure the message passes well between both players and the man behind the bench.”
“The message has to go through better. … It’s not ‘message’ that they don’t listen to what he says. The boys need to take their own part of it, too. If they want to win, they have to work together.”
Here goes the transcript :
Pascal Dupuis, who does occasional appearances on French television in Quebec, made waves on Tuesday night when he suggested on television that there is something of a rift between Sullivan and two of his stars, Evgeni Malkin and Phil Kessel. This comes at a time when Malkin and Kessel are struggling mightily and only four days after Dupuis visited his old team in its PPG Paints Arena locker room.
Sullivan was asked about it and responded in a terse but calculated way.
Here’s what he said:
“I’m surprised. I’m disappointed, quite honestly. I think it’s very irresponsible on (Dupuis’) part. He should know better, having been in a dressing room and understanding what we go through on a daily basis. It was a pretty irresponsible comment on his part. All I can tell you is that my relationship with Geno and Phil has been the same since I’ve been here. We all go through ups and downs, and challenges throughout the course of a season. I think that’s part of coaching. That’s being part of a team. That’s just part of the process. No one has more respect for those guys than me. I believe there’s a mutual respect that exists amongst us. That’s just part of the process and us working through challenges. Certainly, on his part, I thought it was a pretty irresponsible comment.”
Dupuis immediately got wind of Sullivan’s comment and was noticeably rattled on the phone less than an hour later.
“I’m so upset,” he said. “I didn’t mean anything by this. I just want the boys to start playing better. I always thought me and Mike had a great relationship. Everywhere I go, I tell people what a great coach he is and how I think he’s the perfect coach for that team.”
Dupuis never played for Sullivan, as health problems forced him to play in his final game only a few days before Sullivan was promoted as head coach. However, Dupuis was a consistent figure around the Penguins’ locker room during the 2015-16 season, and Sullivan has often spoken highly of him. Dupuis was the third man to touch the Stanley Cup that season in San Jose.
One of the more popular players in franchise history, Dupuis seemed devastated by the possibility that Sullivan or anyone else believed him to be snooping for information in the Penguins’ locker room to enhance his media career.
“I don’t ever want anyone thinking that I went into their locker room looking for information,” said Dupuis, who was with a youth hockey team from Quebec for the weekend in Pittsburgh. “It was nothing like that at all. I gave Phil a hug, and we talked for a second. I talked with Geno. I talked with Sid. It was just nice to see everyone. It’s not like I was looking for information so that I could go on TV and hurt the Penguins. Everyone always tells me what a Penguins homer I am. I picked them to win the Cup this year. I picked Sid and Geno to lead the league in scoring. I picked Murray to win the Vezina. I picked Tanger (Kris Letang) to win the Norris. I love those guys.”
Hey Dee,
Thanks for looking that up.
It is my fault on that delay for your other comment. Comments with links in them are moderated to protect against spam type of comments and others. When I ask you questions like that I will need to be better at checking for your response to moderate it.
Your missing post should be showing up soon.
Let’s hope for the Pens to collect another 2 pnts on the back end of this b2b.
I am going to go look for your other comment to appear.
Excellent article TOR!
You are right: Crosby and Malkin deserve better wingers. I don’t know how many wingers have played with Crosby for the last three years. Probably too many!! I must admit that it is not easy to play with Sid because he sees in advance where the puck is going to be. But still, I would like to see a top quality winger playing with Sid.
Thanks Jorenz,
With how often Sullivan likes to mix lines when strategies fail, rather than change strategies I would bet that almost every Winger that has been through the organization has been given at least a cameo on Crosby’s line with only Guentzel seeming to stick stick.
I am not holding out any real hope that at least 1 more top Winger will be brought into Pgh this year. The Cap issue will make any trades pretty difficult, even if the team could manufacture an asset that someone would want. We may just have to hope for the best out of what we have this year.
Last night, with solid goaltending, they boys in BnG were able to knock off the Caps and Rust did pick up a goal. Looks like Santa is working on my list; 2 points, Rust mojo and Cup era Goaltending!
Hey Other Rick,
I don’t always agree with everything you say, but I always want to read your articles. Another creative, clever and fun feature…not to mention opinionated and insightful.
Fantastic … 🙂
Rick
Hey Rick,
Thanks for the compliments.
I did go read Mackey’s comments about Sprong. You may have to disagree with me here. I found Mackey’s article to be just about the same nonsense I heard Sullivan, Errey, et all spew to try and save face before Monday’s game. It brought very little new to light.
Sorry, but any discussion of Kessel and Hornqvist are moot since they play 2nd and 3rd line.
The argument about not fitting with Crosby was an absolute joke. When Sprong was on Crosby’s line for his cameo last year he brought Crosby back to life. Crosby was flat lining, at least for him, a -10 (look it up). It wasn’t until Sprong joined his Wing that Crosby started to get his D game back with Sprong leading the pack in +/- and Corsi for the whole team. Mackey had to be talking out the posterior of his anterior when he wrote that.
AS for Mackey trying to redirect attention to Pettersson rather than Sprong, well, although I like the kid, and maybe he helps mitigate a very bad situation with Johnson, over the last 3 games, as I wrote above, the team has been getting shelled. We may want to like any of the defenseman anyone cares to name, but they are not getting the job done. They still are a decidedly weak link. Unless the shots get cut in half, this team will not make the playoffs. So this argument is like saying that Pettersson is the smartest idiot in the room. Comparing him to the rest of the team he may look okay but the benchmark stinks. Only when the Goaltending goes above and beyond does this team win.
The only good thing that I will say at this moment about the trade is that since Sullivan’s arrogance would have prevented any real attempt at using Sprong anything including a bag of pucks would have been better than wasting the kid in the Pgh press box.
Sorry, although I have moved on to some extent, looking forward to seeing if Bjorkqvist could step up next year or the team could find a way to sign Duchene or Panarin, or draft Podokolzin. The continued guilty conscience, lame excuse parade from the Sullivan and his defenders are keeping the wound opened.
Hello The Other Rick ,
I think you are very generous to Letang and Mike Sullivan among other people..
Mike Sullivan needs to be fired.
I don’t know if got my previous comments that Sully has lost and created rift with players since some players and Rick Tocchet left.. It has been going on for a very longtime. Tone had been set and players were caught off guard with many questionable decisions surrounding players like Cole. He didn’t like Cole. Although was very nice to talk Media..He didn’t like it.
I hinted it numerous times..
Most players are not happy and beyond tired of him. Rutherford are not on the shame page on a lot of players . Rutherford hand is being forced and he starting to want Johnson out the line up to give Riikola more playing time. He doesn’t like the usages and where players are playing in the line up..
Sullivan and his passengers needs to go..
Pascal Dupuis already confirmed what I have saying since last season..
Iff you’ve been paying attention for the last year, you didn’t need Pascal Dupuis to say it but he last night.
Dupuis isn’t lying.
Mike Sullivan job is to get the best out of players whether he likes them or no. Stop tryna change them ..
Ego, favoritism, poor accountability,questionable decisions, poor flaw system is a major detriment to his team..
Allows to players to be a a different standard and let players with more his risk plays that hurt this team.
Letang has 5 turnovers. Egregious bad puck management/ bad brutal decisions. Always out of control. Players like Guentzel got hold to different standards with one mistake where he tryna pas to Crosby or Rust while Johnson took a bad hit they let his partner be vulnerable to defend alone on the ice.. Letang passing puck to opponents and bad defensively etc..
Sullivan decisions to sit Guentzel for last 10 minutes of the second period and promoted Brassard who is very invisible player on his team. People were mad. ( included me )
Players are struggling. Stars are struggling. Crosby was struggling and frustrated last season. Malkin is struggling and frustrated this team this season.. Crosby has frustrated look on his face too.. His two way hockey is being wasted. Both started with great season and drastically started drop while slumping hard to ge something done on the ice.. No consistency nor time to build chemistry with on their lines..Malkin doesn’t have a complementary LW nor does Crosby have complementary RW on their lines..
Mike Sullivan has to much issues with different players.. Having issues with Malkin should cause him to be fired.
Hopefully.. Santa bring wingers for Sid&Geno. Get them more help with a better reliable 3C .. Fired Mike Sullivan , Trade Letang and Brassard. Give Blueger, Adam Johnson and Angello some ice time up here.. Better forechecking, physicality and urgency..More solid wins and consistency
They do not have identity , confidennt goaltending and confidence either.. so I hope Santa help there too.
Hey Dee,
Unfortunately I missed anything Dupuis said. Do you know where I can find it?
I didn’t really address 4th line issues but I do think that Blueger, Angello, and/or Johnson get shots there. Actually, I wouldn’t mind seeing what Johnson could do on Malkin’s LW. He couldn’t do worse than any other square pegs Sullivan has tried to drive into that round hole. Well, I am impressed with how hard Aston-Reese is trying, but I still want to see what Johnson could do there.
I would love to see Angello get a shot not only on the 4th line but in Hornqvist PP role on the 2nd unit and when Hornqvist is injured. A 6′ 5″ monster in front of the net should be harder to move and and block more vision than Hornqvist.
However, I am not going to be picky, I will take anything that addresses no legit RW for Crosby, no legit LW for Malkin, a weak 3rd line, a “D” that gives up 40 – 50 shots a game, inconsistent goaltending, and horrible/excuse ridden coaching.
Hello The Other Rick ,
I agree with you . I think Johnson can do a lot of damage with Malkin. Biggest problem they are not giving him time up here. I don’t know. I don’t think Malkin like ZAR on his line either.
I will take anything that can spark them. But it’s seems like Sullivan doesn’t want to play physical or get dirty against the opponents . I remember Oleksiak was playing little more physical and scared players. He doesn’t do that anymore. Sullivan has changed that.
He wants no emotion nor play hard against.. Btw Tom Wilson and Oleksiak just fight then Oleksiak let him drop him. Game already out out control with Caps
Pens tough hard bodies hard bodies and heavy leadership on the ice is gone. (Unfortunately)
Very long list of missing crucial pieces for this team.
https://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog/Ryan-Wilson/Pascal-Dupuis-creating-drama-with-Mike-Sullivan/177/96671
I believe other site are locked..
It is on TVA sports….
Wow Dee,
Thanks a ton for that link. I just read Wilson’s comments. And again wow!!! He nailed it. He said just about everything you an I have been writing for a while now, particularly with his comments on how the Sullivan defense team likes to respond with “So, you think you know more than a 2 time Stanley Cup winner, as if he Sullivan took Emilio Estevez’s Ducks to the Cup rather than a team with at least 2 future HoFs.
Catching up on some reading Dee,
I did see the comments in the Pgh papers about what Dupuis said.
Still looking to see what Dupuis actually said in that Canadian broadcast.
Apparently it hit a nerve.
Apparently there is fire where that smoke was or Sullivan wouldn’t be reacting as he did.
Maybe someone is finally going to lean on him for his short-comings like he likes to lean on rookies.
Need to look around a bit more.
Hi TOR!
The Canadian broadcast would probably be TVA Sports Montreal. Dupuis is a regular collaborator for this sports network. Duper is still close to Sid, Tanger and Geno. I don’t think Dupuis said that off the cuff. I am not suprised that there is tension between Sullivan, Kessel and Malkin.
I have two anecdotes to share:
1- I talked with a well-known journalist who covers the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (commonly known as the Q). He told me that when Daniel Sprong was playing for the Charlottetown Islanders in the Q, he was not easy to coach. He had a strong personality and tended to challenge the coach’s decisions. His attitude off the ice was not the best. So, I am not surprised that the relationship between Sullivan and Sprong was not an ideal one.
2- Saturday November 17, this year, the Pens were visiting the Senators, in Ottawa. The Pens lost 6-4 and played a bad game. I was at the game (I’m a Canadian Pens fan!) and near the end of the second period, Sullivan went to see Geno, probably instructing him on something. Geno just looked the other way. I was seated behind the penalty box, section 116, 4th row. I had a very good view of the players’ bench. I was not surprised to see Geno looking the other way. He was really pissed off that night.
Hey Jorenz,
Interesting anecdotes;
1 – I am not surprised by what you have said about Sprong. I know a kid who told me that he has skated with several Pens and Flyers (Sprong, Pavlychev, and Proporov) prospects/players. It was unclear whether they were at the same camps or played against each other. The Kid’s take on Sprong wasn’t glowing in terms of personality.
If I recall, the year Sprong was drafted, he started off projected as a first rounder but his stock dropped by Draft Day. Again, trying to remember, but I in my mind I seem to recall JR saying something about being surprised that Sprong was still available and glad they were able to snag what should have been a 1st rounder (Although GMs always seem to say that, whether or not it is true – it makes for good PR). I don’t recall whay his stock dropped. Perhaps it was because of his temperament.
However, it would seem to me that most high talent players have a temperament. Success tends to breed at least some arrogance. Crosby, now as a veteran is a bit of an anomaly, maintaining a level of humility. However, in their youth, Crosby, Malkin, Letang, Lemiuex, and Coffey were all known as coach killers. It doesn’t make it right, but it is something that a coach has to learn to juggle and cope with.
My angst isn’t really over Sprong himself, but the laundry list of players that have had problems with Sullivan, even lunch pail types like Cole and Reaves.
1a – On a side note, that kid also said that Pavlychev is a player. Among what that kid told me of Pavlychev is that he has good hands and skates well. He didn’t qualify it by saying skates well for a big man, but skates well. Also, I have a friend that goes up to PSU on a regular basis and although not a born and bred hockey fan, so his assessments of that Pens prospect doesn’t really carry much weight, has given similar accounts.
2 – I am not surprised by what you noticed of Sullivan’s and Malkin’s relationship, despite what Sullivan may say in the media. Sullivan’s honesty is some what suspect in my books right now. He is giving me the impression of someone in over his head, struggling to stay afloat, doing/saying anything to try and stave off drowning. I am not averse to throwing him a life line. Just like players, if I would be in charge, I would rather find a way to help him over this hurdle than dump him.
As for Dupuis, I always thought of him as a class act and still do. I think he is still a Penguin in his heart and wants what is best for the team. So, I would take what he said serious. I am going to have to find a transcript to see what was really said and not said.