GM bashing. It’s a favorite pastime among hockey fans everywhere, from snowy Saskatoon to sunny San Jose.
If your team’s riding high? Your GM’s the greatest thing since sliced bread. If your team’s scraping bottom? Fire da bum!
I’ve done my share of carping and complaining about Penguins GM Jim Rutherford…especially during the first year of his tenure over the then-hated Robert Bortuzzo–Simon Despres deals. Trades that, in hindsight, wound up benefiting the locals.
Last spring I bemoaned the trade deadline swap that saw the plucky 69-year-old exec part with defensive stalwart Ian Cole and fourth-line hammer Ryan Reaves in exchange for Derick Brassard. Although the deal looked good on paper…at least initially…Brassard’s been about as useful as a bag of cracked and crumbling pucks.
Meanwhile, the black and gold could desperately have used Cole’s shot-blocking and gritty brand of defense, not to mention “Reavo’s” considerable muscle during last spring’s physical postseason set-to with Washington.
Nor does the trade look any better at this juncture of the season. Reaves has outscored Brassard, seven goals to six, while piling up a decided edge in hits and Tom Wilson tramplings. Cole currently leads the league with 105 blocked shots.
However, give Rutherford credit where credit is due. One thing he’s very good at is remedying his mistakes. He’s found a way to mitigate this one, too.
When JR shipped Daniel Sprong to the left coast on December 3 for defenseman Marcus Pettersson, there were howls of derision aplenty…many from this very blog. Understandable in a way, given Sprong’s pedigree and potential to score a lot of goals and Pettersson’s comparatively modest skill set.
But you sure can’t argue with results. Since the deal was done, the hereto flightless waterfowl have rolled to a sparkling 9-2-1 record…including our present four-game winning jag. Goal production is up during the 12-game run (3.42 vs. 3.32 per game) and goals against are down…markedly (2.33 per contest vs. a bloated 3.36).
So how could a guy with such innocuous numbers…Pettersson’s a plus-three with one assist since joining the team…have such an impact?
It’s the Cole effect, in reverse. I observed when the Ann Arbour native was dealt last spring it was a lot like plucking an apple from the middle of a neatly stacked supermarket display. Yank out an important “apple” or supporting piece…which Cole most assuredly was…and the whole display (team) comes tumblin’ down.
To illustrate my point, in the 21 games prior to Cole’s trade the Pens were 16-4-1. Not only was Ian playing superb stay-at-home defense…plus-13 over the 21-game stretch…he’d helped partner Jamie Oleksiak (plus-11) emerge as well.
Following the trade, the “Big Rig’s” performance took an immediate and discernible tumble (minus-6 in his next five games). You could successfully argue the Cole trade robbed the team of two defensemen…Cole and an effective Oleksiak.
Not surprisingly, the Pens were a pedestrian club from that point on, literally up till the Pettersson swap (22-17-7 during the combined regular seasons, 6-6 in the playoffs).
And now? The acquisition of Pettersson restored a key supporting apple and allowed the team to properly re-stack. More to the point, the rangy 6’3” 177-pounder’s helped transform marquee off-season pick up Jack Johnson from flub to…well…if not fantastic, at the very least decent.
Prior to being paired with the lanky Swede, Johnson was a minus-13…dreadful in anyone’s book. Since, he’s a plus-5 with 32 hits and 24 blocked shots.
Blessed with long arms, a longer stick and exceptional mobility for a bigger guy, Pettersson covers an awful lot of ice, which has enabled Johnson to play more within himself. We’ve essentially gained two defensemen, Pettersson and an effective Johnson. It’s had a domino effect on the rest of the team, too.
Are the duo solely responsible for the Pens’ improved play of late? Of course not. Casey DeSmith’s continued excellence and Matt Murray’s dynamic re-emergence has much to do with it, although their success is at least partly attributable to the team’s improved defensive play.
In classic lead-from-in-front fashion, Sidney Crosby’s skating like a man possessed. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Sid display such steely-eyed intensity and focus on a nightly basis, in all phases of the game. If anybody can will this group to another Cup, it’s No. 87.
It doesn’t hurt that Jake Guentzel, Phil Kessel and Bryan Rust have taken turns heating up, or that the supporting cast is showing at least occasional flashes, not to mention more cohesion.
Still, the Pettersson-Sprong deal provided the spring board as well as the foundation for the turnaround.
Kudos to Rutherford for having the vision and brass to make the move.
Hi Rick,
Petterson has certainly been a factor, if for nothing else than allowing Johnson to play his kind of game, though it has been more than that, I think.. Combined with Letang having a banner year, Sid playing as well as ever, better defensive play across the board, and what has been great goal tending, Petterson has fit right in with nary a hiccup. No shame in Riikola, either.
Curiously, though, someone on another blog ran the numbers comparing games 1-20 to 21-39. The biggest difference has been the goal tending and special teams.
Corsi % is down, but very little – 50.1 to 49.6
Shots for are about the same – 32.9 to 32.5
Shots against are up 1.3 – 32.4 to 33.7
Goals for is down .14 – 3.45 to 3.31
Goals against is down .73 – 3.25 to 2.52
Scoring chances for is down 2.5 – 28.1 to 25.6
Scoring chances against is down .15 – 27.1 to 25.6
The PP is up 4.6, to 29.5 and the PK is up 5.2 to 86.7. The save percentage rose from .899 to .925. So, by the numbers, aside from special teams and net minding, they’re playing about the same with a negligible lean toward the negative.
There is, however, and it seems, a concentrated effort toward playing as a team and that makes the difference in spite of the numbers. In general they’ve been much better at getting on the puck, winning puck battles and making better decisions with it, challenging puck carriers and have been more “in the face.” They’ve been making themselves hard to play against and that’s been their secret weapon for the past few years. Of course, there’s no secret about it. You either do it or you don’t.
Now, if they can only solve Malkin’s problems, whatever they are, they could be deadly heading into the home stretch. If that’s purely a Geno problem, or if it’s a combination Sullivan and Geno problem, it’s time to fix it.
– 55
Please can you do all Sidney Crosby’s best goals and play. Kessel , Malkin and Guentzel too. Thank you!!!
Hello ToR, Rick &others,
It’s great that Penguins are winning on 5- game streak. Above -average goaltending / one great line is still masking lingering issues around this team. I think everyone should tread lightly and have some optimism. Wins Against mediocre teams . Half of time those teams are taking to many shots. Penguins are to hemmed up in their zone. Thats all.
Particularly, they are bleeding and out shot with Jack Johnson on the ice. Same thing every game. Hemmed up and he brings nothing to table for Penguins hockey. He’s constantly getting shelter minutes and possess nothing on EV and 5V5 hockey. Bad and Brutal.
Letang ——— He’s play much better . That’s great for now. That what’s happens when you play with One of the Greatest of All time.( Real MVP ) Dumoulin babysitting you. He get all the minutes and no other right Defenseman is on the team to be better than him.
I understand some are calling him into Norris Trophy Consideration. I don’t see that. I disagree. Brian Dumoulin is the real MVP on the blue line for the Penguins.
I don’t see him playing that consistently through the season and still will be out for some more games. Morgan Reilly and Mark Girdorano are my top candidates. I would like Mark to take it.
I will give Letang credit that he doing better and remarkable for a severe neck injury. ( right now)
I still want Penguins to trade him and get some decent return . Picks and another great player. To much money is tied up in defense. Other better players deserve chances to play here on the blue line. I always can’t help to wonder to have players like Alex Pietrangelo, Colton Parayko, Drew Doughty and probably just a effective non star defenseman on this team.
Penguins needs to stop the Derick Brassard’s experiment. Before it get too late.
It ran it course. A younger speedy 3C like Charlie Coyle would be benefit them. Instead of 31 year old aging player that doesn’t fit nor have a great mindset to play Penguins hockey . He doesn’t play hard enough and use himself effectively with his wingers. Kessel and Pearson are making their chances for themselves.
Penguins needs to stop putting ZAR and Simon in top 6 role . Rust too. I don’t care . Malkin needs a better LW that more defensively acumen and finish the pass when he get time and space to give it to them. He doesn’t need a extra passer and vanilla fringe Sully player on his line. Every time Zar or Simon play in the lineup not with the Stars you realize them nor do they bring something to the time.
Penguins bottom 6 is weak. Powerplay is getting better with one line scoring enough to keep them a afloat.
Penguins needs to dump Jack Johnson. Penguins are weak with him. Poorly deploying him with stars that doesn’t effectively get them to offensive cycle pressure. Johnson is holding this team better. I would like to see Pettersson within Johnson.
It’s needs to happen. Its still GM’s that would give a first or second picks for him. Blue Jackets has that opportunity to do that. Months ago. I would like to see Penguins two games with him in the lineup.Rutherford needs to do Scuderi/Daley type deal . Get a pick too.
I hope with Shultz’s return that he will be the odd man out. It’s very unfortunate that Sully doesn’t want Oleksiak to play physical and on his better side to be effective.
I love that Penguins are winning with better goaltending. I just see they needs to be way better and low the shot on opponents. They are scrambling to much in neutral zone and in their zone . I think they doing good enough against mediocre teams They progressing with heavy baggage that’s haunting them. They are still slow with passengers that are not that speedy..They needs to get some More infused speeedy wingers.
Crosby is carrying this team every game. Pk is great. Great above -average goaltending.
Some team are getting fairly amount bad posts and bad puck luck. Those teams could easily win against them.
January schedule will be difficult and major big test for them. Winning against less mediocre teams will define them.
I do not want to see Penguins be good enough to get points for the playoffs and have a hard time in the playoffs with one line team screaming with weak parts of them.
A team can winning games and rack up without getting better to fix their issues To amp their compete level for playoffs. I don’t want them to fall apart.
Happy New Year!!!
Hey Dee,
I hear you.
The last thing I want to see is getting pumped up with false hope to drop us to the late round draft pick section again but have no real hope of winning the Cup.
As much of a Scientist as I am in real life, I am very superstitious when it comes to my hockey. I don’t like change when the team is winning. So for now, I am trying to keep a low profile. So long as this patchwork quilt can keep getting wins, then I am for keeping the chemistry. I will wait to see if/when it implodes.
However, unless the media is manipulating what we see and Sullivan is still yelling and screaming at the players rather than the coaching moments we are seeing, then I can see the Penguins actually getting better even with the holes that they have. A team is always better than the sum of its parts.
I would feel much better if the Penguins would consider trying A. Johnson with Malkin and Kessel and finding a RW for Crosby and a Center for Hornqvist and Pearson. I would also feel better with a legit experiment of a big guy like Angello given a shot on the 4th line with 2nd PP Hornqvist duties in front of the net.
But again, even though my poisoned pen is ready, I will be pushing as much positive thoughts to what is on the ice. I would rather not have the opportunity to gloat.
Go Pens
Hey ToR,
Only time will tell. Already They are stuck in their offensive zone constantly. I don’t like ZAr with Crosby. Crosby and Guentzel are battling against heavy forecheck and Zar is lost. Very slow.
Once again one line is dig hard for offensive cycle down low to get goals.
Wilds are dictating pace and in pens zone.. Working hard and more ready than the Penguins..
I just see stuff every game that’s still lingering with them. It is what it is.
We always will agree. We talk about it. A. Johnson should be given a chance with Kessel and Malkin. New RW fr Crosby. I think Charlie Coyle can be good for for Pearson and Hornqvist.
I don’t know. I don’t see Sullivan give Angello and Johnson. That’s a problem for me.
Go Pens .
Happy New Year!!
Hey Dee,
I think Simon is Smalls from Sandlot. He keeps killing me out there with Malkin. He just doesn’t mesh. I hate to walk this thin line right now, but excuse me, how has he earned time with Malkin or anywhere in the top 6? He is a 3rd liner who could stop-gap in a game where a top 6 goes down, but he is no top 6, or at least he hasn’t shown it yet, if he does have it.
My guess is Simon will be the new Sheary.
Do you think anyone is noticing that although Kessel is scoring, it really isn’t with Brassard. Tonight he has a PP assist and the late goal when he was still on with ZAR and Crosby.
I would really love to see Pearson – Brassard – Kessel workout, but unless you give Malkin a Legit LW and a Kessel-esque RW then you are only robbing Peter to pay Paul. I love Hornqvist and he is a top notch player but even he is not the right RW for Malkin. To maximize the 2nd line you need Kessel there.
I am keeping my fingers crossed for continued puck luck.
Keep it going Crosby and Kessel
Happy New Year!!!
Forgot,
I do think the team would be stronger with Coyle over Brassard, particularly since he is a right shot.
I was thinking about this the other day, and I am wondering since Coyle is signed for next year and Brassard is UFA, I am wondering if the Pens are looking to simply be out from under the $$$. I am wondering if they are thinking that Bellerive will be their 3rd line C next year. If they are thinking in those terms I applaud the fore-sight. After a slow start (Slow for him) he seems to be picking it back up. He isn’t scoring as many goals as he did last season in Jrs, but his assist totals are more than balancing it out. He is on pace for 1 more point than last year but his +/- is better.
Hey ToR,
Spot on!
I have been commenting about Simon don’t belong on the top lines for a long time. Other people voice the same thing. I scratched my head everytime he see him with Malkin and Crosby. He returned to top 6 after a injury. He was already fighting for a spot and ice time.
Simon is Recchi and Sully boy. Absolutely. He’s a Sheary 2.0 Same thing with ZAr. They are bottom 6 fowards on this team. Sully try to hard to make bottom 6 fowards play with the big stars . It doesn’t work at all. They numbers are weak and eye test is poor without them. Numbers get elevated to have to them look great.
Simon is not good. I’m sorry. He’s weak on the puck. Etc.. I’m not a fan.
Not a finisher and to cute with puck. Costly two turnovers that game Wilds grade A- chances. and he was not bench like Guentzel and left Johnson without bench either. It tell you a lot.
I’m afraid that Simon and Zar will block other players that deserve ice time and get undeserving big contracts.
Either way they both belong on another team or fighting for the fourth line LW spot. Other teams will have them in the minors or bottom lines.
I feel sorry for Malkin. I felt that way last season with Crosby .
I would like Malkin-Kessel to be together with a better LW. Without Jack Johnson pairing with them
Brassard has never work with Kesse . Dating back to last season. It isn’t broken, don’t fix it. Stop forcing it. They are brutal on 5 on5 and EV hockey. Malkin-Kessel gonna be them . I don’t like Kessel playing 10 -15 mins a game. He’s a top 6 notch wingEr. Everything he does on the ice and he means a lot to this team . On and off the ice.
Let them be them and talk it out everytime they come to the bench.
Right . Kessel is consistent getting his points with Malkin and Crosby. I’m not surprised about it. Kessel was getting points like that last season . Same thing with Guentzel and Kessel with Sheahan.
Brassard is the problem. Pearson-Kessel work together and effectively. Pearson and Hornqvist were fine together too. The were back checking and creating chance.
Brassard is weak and painful to watch. I don’t understand this coaching staff and vision on these line combos. Brassard is holding this team 3C role back .
I think they Jordy or that Penn State player ( I forgot his name) will be great a 3C . I just have a feeling that some WB/S Players that belong to get a look up here won’t get a chance from Sully at all. They will leave and blossom somewhere else. He will continue to harping on Simon and Zar . They don’t belong on this roster.. I stated several times Angello and Johnson had better training camp and preseason games to get chances to play here.
Charlie Coyle? I love watching him. He’s a very good player when he confidence with the puck. Use his body and can Pk too. He battles down low and use wingers effectively. I hope Penguins give him a look. He’s younger and can help them. I pray Rutherford is going after him .
Guentzel- Crosby -New RW ( Hornqvist for barring injuries and some playoffs use) ( give Angello some looks too)
LW/A.Johnson-Malkin-Kessel ( Hornqvist)
Pearson- Coyle-Hornqvist
Whatever choice for fourth line. Zar and Simon should be in a deal to bring back Coyle or something.
I’m happy for the 6 – Winning game streak . Pens still needs to be better. Have more urgency in first periods and dictating the territory/ pace more better they are getting out played with opponents doing what they like at times.
Stop giving up grade A chances and other stuffs . Luckily, opponents are not capitalizing on it and goaltending is pretty darn good.
Also I’m happy to see more players are communicating with each other and at times 5 man unit on the ice to cover each other mistakes. Crosby and Guentzel always do it. Malkin and Kessel too. They are backing each other more together as a team . Doing whatever it takes. More communication with their goaltender. Coaches are being more calm and collectively to communicate about plays to fix a mistake or plan a play.
I love that Crosby is getting points ever game. He deserves it. He play hard every game . Unmatched. No one is on his level on all parts of the ice. All three zones.I hope and pray he hits 100 points this season with more healthy season.
I love that he played his 900th game and closer to his 1, 200th Point with other milestones
I’m curious to see what hold for this team through the new half season in 2019 and some small tweaks. I hope to see Malkin on a rolling and get honor for his 1000th point and 400th goal.
Penguins have showed some life and little progression to be play hard against . It can only get more better from here.
Hey Rick,
I agree. Pettersson paired with Jack Johnson has really upped Johnson’s game. I really think that competition is a real strong motivator also. Who are going to be the odd guys out when Oleksiak and Shultz come back? All of the defensemen have to be wondering.
I’ve done a 180 on Letang and am now in his corner. I see the ‘D’ lines possible ending up:
Letang/Dumoulin
Shultz/Maatta
Oleksiak/Pettersson
Extra:
Riikola/Johnson
The Oleksiak/Pettersson is how I would like to see the 3rd pairing if they gel. However they end up, Rutherford has put the Penguins in a very envious position with how many NHL caliber defensemen they have.
No the Hagelin trade did. Made rest of guys think could I be the next one out?!
Brian Allison I agree.
Good to hear from you Brian and Woodie!
I agree with you Brian that I am not so sure that getting Pettersson was all that important. It wasn’t until periods 2 and 3 of the game against Detroit that I am now starting to wonder if there is something here.
Pettersson did make a tremendous stop to save the day for Murray a couple of games back, but he seems to me to be rather pedestrian (he is young yet though – so maybe he could develop into a gem).
If I believed there was a bump in team play due to the trade, I would think that it would be more of a question of eliminating a side show distraction that was suffocating the team.
Hagelin? Maybe players did start thinking about they could be next, but with Hagelin going UFA at the end of the season, I would think that many players may have attributed it to JR looking to get something for him. If Pearson had worked out on Malkin – Kessel line, I would agree 100% with you. If Wings could drive play rather than a center and Pearson would have gotten Brassard on track I would have also agreed 100%.
I am hoping that the 2 and 3rd periods really did signify a true turn around and not just another brief Jekyll interlude in and endless Jekyll and Hyde cycle.
I was a goalie. I am very superstitious. Even when I really start to believe, I probably won’t acknowledge it until the season is over. Every time I have said anything nice about them, they tanked. I know that isn’t scientific, bubt that is one area where Goalies suspend logic.
I think yes