#Pens vs #BlueJackets Official Thread! #StanleyCupPlayoffs

[Aoki11]

Why on gods green earth would they fire Shero?

[theoneandonly]

Several individuals within the industry have told Slap Shots Penguins chairman Mario Lemieux, distressed by his team's fourth straight failure to get out of the Eastern Conference after consecutive trips to the Finals in 2008 and 2009, the latter culminating with a Stanley Cup victory, may instruct Shero to dismiss the coach.

There already is chatter out of Pittsburgh about how the Penguins failed to "adapt" or "adjust" to the Bruins in the Eastern finals sweep -- during which they never held the lead, were limited to two goals overall and were shut out on the power play. All those areas generally are the purview of the coaching staff.

http://www.cbssports.com/nhl/eye-on-hoc ... pittsburgh

I agree Shero will be on the chopping block as well. It's his job to assemble a team that wins the Stanley Cup and he has failed. He has made his share of great moves that greatly benefit the team but he has also missed on some... alexei ponikarovsky ring a bell? He also has missed badly in the draft. Sure they have a plethora of nice young defensemen but outside of Beau Bennett there is no top 6 talent for the future. I know that is somewhat skewed because of the current make up of the team but still..... the cupboard is bare.

When expectations are what they are with this franchise they have to be met. When they aren't met people have to be held responsible. Take off your black and gold glasses and look at it from an outside prospective for once Aoki. You can't fire 18 skaters and a goalie so the coaching staff and front office has to go, it's not rocket science. If Mario freakin' Lemeiux isn't happy with it... why should you or I?

Aoki you still haven't answered my question yet... what exactly does HCDB do that is so amazing?


http://thepensblog.com/2014-archives/sh ... piece.html

This is a long but absolutely amazing article and breaks down exactly what I was saying with Shero and the draft. Take the time to read it, its well worth it and will open your eyes to the other side of Shero.

[HockeyGenie]

Thank you for the CBS article, it seems bias and you can tell the author does not want. Bylsma gone but nonetheless it still backs your point and provides great info.

Here's some Shero stats:

Draft- 1st round picks
2006: Jordan Staal- 431 games as a penguin, was a valuable asset to the team and I think was a great choice.
2007: Angelo Esposito- 0 NHL games, in 122 AHL games he has 38 points. Waste of a pick
2008: no first round pick
2009: Simon Despres- I think he falls under the category of young defenseman that you mentioned. Hes played 85 NHL games and has proved to be a decent pick that is improving.
2010: Beau Bennett- 47 games 21 points, he's been good, mature and good on both sides of puck when he plays.
2011: Joe Morrow- did not play a single game as a Pittsburgh penguin. Waste of a pick.
2012: Derek Pouliot- has yet to play a game with Pittsburgh but is have decent success down in WHL. Potentially a good pick.
2013: olli maata- my opinion the best Shero pick. Played 78 games this year and was unbelieveably as an 18 y/o rookie. In my eyes at least deserved a nomination for the Calder.

As you can see, only 3 of the 7 picks are still on the current roster. You would expect more out of first round picks.

Here's a small overview of his trade history:

2006: signed Mark Recchi, Jarkko Ruutu, mark Eaton, Nils Ekman and Dominic Moore
Got Gary Roberts for Noah Welch
Got Georges Laraque for Carcillo

2007: signed Daryll Sydor, Petr Sykora and Jeff Taffe
At the deadline he got Marian Hossa, Pascal Dupuis for Colby Armstrong, Erik Christensen, and Angelo Esposito
Got Hal Gill for 2 picks

2008: got Kunitz and Eric Tangradi for Ryan Whitney


Other notable deals since Stanley cup appearance:
Ponikarovsky for luca Caputi and Marty Skoula

Neal and niskanen for Alex Goligoski

4th round pick for Mark Letestu

Sutter, 1st round pick and Brian Dumoulin for Hordan Staal

And then Stempniak for 3rd rounder And Goc for a conditional pick I believe.


If you look at that, wow, he has been great in trade. But as you said, not a lot of young talent there that will be young in 3-4 years.

[HockeyGenie]

Just read the pens blog article. Great article. Wish I would read it before I posted that my last post because I kind of reiterated what it said but that's fine. How can a GM be so dismal in the draft?

[HockeyGenie]

Why on gods green earth would they fire Shero?

Tell me why you would keep him.

[crfball]

Say Dan does get fired, who do you guys want to coach this team...Granato? Reirden? Martin? Trotz? Dare I say Laviolette?

[HockeyGenie]

I would like to see Tony get it.

[theoneandonly]

I'd be surprised if anyone on the current staff outside of Martin would have much of a shot. I think Martin would be a decent person to lead them. Defensive minded and a little bit more of an authoritarian type leader.

Big game tonight (obviously). Hopefully the crowd at CEC resembles the Mellon circa 2009 and not a tennis match at Wimbeldon. Looking like Marcel Goc is going to be back which should help the faceoff percentage some. Orpik wasn't at the morning skate (nor was Gibbons) maybe it'll be a shot for Bortuzzo to prove his worth.

Hopefully HCDB uses his ability to make the last change a little more effectively to get 87 some time away from Dubinsky. A solid win tonight can be the foundation needed to move forward but another lackluster effort and this thing is over in 6.

[HockeyGenie]

Here is Tony G's track record:
Took over bobby Hartley as an interim coach in December of 2002. He posted 32 wins from then on out. Made it to the playoffs and blew a 3-1 series lead to Minnesota.

Next season he posted a 40-22-20 record in his first full season. Went to the playoffs again beat Dallas in 5, an then lost to San Jose in 6. This playoff loss led to his firing and replacement by Quenneville. He decided to stay as an assistant until coach Q's departure which landed him the head job again for the 08-09 season. This was a bad season and he was fired again which led to him to the burgh.

What stands out in that? Playoffs. He didn't have much of a chance but he did not do well in the playoffs. The quarterfinal and semifinal bounces look like someone we all know and love. Is Granato a Dan Bylsma Jr.

As for tonight. I too think if things don't go right, it will be over in Columbus Sunday. I think tonight the pens will come out with a renewed vigor and ready to go.

[crfball]

Then why did you say you would like to see Tony get it?