Penguins Update: Reality Isn’t Always What it Seems (Part Two)

In the wake of the Penguins cutting ties with associate coach Todd Reirden yesterday, the majority of the team’s fan base appears to be rejoicing. Many are gloating over Reirden’s fate, labelling him a bum…or worse.

For those who share that opinion of the now former Pens associate coach, I suggest you read Seth Rorabaugh’s outstanding article on the Tribune Review titled, “Penguins fire associate coach Todd Reirden.”

Seth penetrates the shroud that sometimes separates public opinion from fact and provides an insightful and even touching behind-the-scenes look at a coach who took his duties very seriously and tried his very best.

Although I’m going to borrow heavily from Seth’s article, especially the quotes he gleaned during his interviews, I urge you to read his piece.

First, a history lesson. Back in 2011, then-Pens GM Ray Shero acquired a young defenseman named Matt Niskanen from Dallas as a thrown-in in the James Neal-for-Alex Goligoski swap. Following a solid rookie campaign that saw him merit Calder Trophy consideration, Niskanen had his confidence literally torn down to the floorboards by hard-line Stars coach Marc Crawford.

Guess who helped him rebuild his game?

Yep, Reirden, who was serving as an assistant with the Pens under Dan Bylsma.

“My career was not in a good spot at that point,” Niskanen recalled. “He (Reirden) just helped build my confidence back up. He’s been a big part of why I’m at where I am today as a player and in this position.”

Indeed, following a breakout 10-goal, 46-point season in 2013-14, Niskanen followed Reirden to Washington, where he served as a mainstay on the Capitals’ defense and 2018 Cup winner. Likewise, ex-Pens thumper Brooks Orpik chose to sign with the Caps, due in no small part to Reirden’s presence in DC.

Since returning to the Steel City in the summer of 2020, Todd had a similar positive effect on at least two other black-and-gold defensemen.

“I’ve got to thank Todd,” Marcus Pettersson said when questioned about his improvement. “The amount of work that we’ve put in over the last few years (after) a couple of years ago not having my best season, I’ve really taken a step over the last year and this year too. The work he’s done with me has helped me a lot.”

Sentiments echoed by former Pens defenseman Cody Ceci, a former first-round pick whose game was on the rocks when he signed with the Pens in October 2020.

“I really enjoyed him,” Ceci recalled. “He helps out a lot on the back end. Me specifically, coming in, just building my game back up, we did a lot of work together with video and whatnot. He was great for me.”

Reirden drew praise from Mike Sullivan as well.

“Todd is an extremely hard-working coach, and he’s a very detail-oriented guy,” Sullivan said. “He does a great job in preparing these guys in giving them the information that they need in order to try to exploit certain areas that he finds (in scouting). He’s got a great analytical eye. He gives these guys a game plan going into the game — each and every night — that gives them an opportunity for success. He takes it every bit as personal as the players do.

“When they do have success, I think it’s great that our players acknowledge him because I think he’s behind the scenes working extremely hard for them.”

Doesn’t sound like a coach who was shirking his duties or didn’t give a hoot, does it?

Rather, it paints a picture of a dedicated, conscientious, hard-working coach who cared a great deal.

Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to get the power play to perform up to even marginally acceptable standards. Someone had to be held accountable and that someone was Reirden.

I submit that the failures had as much (if not more) to do with the personnel and mix of players deployed as anything Reirden did or didn’t do. More often than not, we iced a group of talented but aging stars who didn’t provide the energy and movement so necessary to fuel an effective power play.

It was no great surprise the unit experienced a spike in output in late February and early March (seven goals in seven games) when peppy rookie Valtteri Puustinen joined the group. Young legs and a fresh attitude can do wonders.

I mentioned in my previous article that we had too many executive chefs. All-too-often it was a case where Sidney Crosby deferred to Evgeni Malkin who deferred to Erik Karlsson who deferred to Jake Guentzel when he was here.

Everyone, it seems, had to touch the puck. No one took charge. By the time much needed net-front presence/bumper Michael Bunting arrived on the scene it was too late to salvage our season.

Unfortunately, it cost a good coach his job.

Culpable, yes. But far from the bungler he’s being made out to be.