You can look at it any way you want. I choose to look at it as wasted opportunities. Looking back at the Mario era all the talent and how many playoff failures. What comes to mind? The 7 game loss to the Islanders? Bitter pill to swallow. Sorry
- acpappas

Really. You don't recall the two cup wins. What comes to my mind is Mario making the Minnesota North Stars look foolish.

You can look at it any way you want. I choose to look at it as wasted opportunities. Looking back at the Mario era all the talent and how many playoff failures. What comes to mind? The 7 game loss to the Islanders? Bitter pill to swallow. Sorry
- acpappas

you look back at those years and the loss to the isles is what comes to mind? Man thats an unfortunate attitude. I look back and I see images of Lemieux splitting the stars d, or a line of mario/jagr/stevens. Winning a cup is hard. 15 teans a year have playoff failure and 14 teams a year wish they did.

Really. You don't recall the two cup wins. What comes to my mind is Mario making the Minnesota North Stars look foolish.
- Ben37

I do recall the Cups. I was in attendance to quite a few of the games, but watching them squander a couple series back then was frustrating

you look back at those years and the loss to the isles is what comes to mind? Man thats an unfortunate attitude. I look back and I see images of Lemieux splitting the stars d, or a line of mario/jagr/stevens. Winning a cup is hard. 15 teans a year have playoff failure and 14 teams a year wish they did.
- ChrisMS

well stated

Pierre becoming the pens GM would be awesome. Because then he wouldn't be on my TV.

His arrogance is alive and well in his broadcasting work
- Ryan_Wilson

What's wrong with arrogance and confidence? Looks good on Subban. Looks good on Puig in baseball. Looked good on Bo Jackson and Deion Sanders in football. I have no problem with it if the record backs it up. With that said I just think there are better candidates to look at with more recent accomplishments.

What's wrong with arrogance and confidence? Looks good on Subban. Looks good on Puig in baseball. Looked good on Bo Jackson and Deion Sanders in football. I have no problem with it if the record backs it up. With that said I just think there are better candidates to look at with more recent accomplishments.
- lloyd095

But the problem is, unless it comes down to spouting off random facts about where a player played junior hockey, nothing in Pierre's professional resume backs it up.

And arrogance in a player is one thing, arrogance in someone who has to build a staff that works smoothly together, and to deal daily with agents, and other general managers to gain their trust is completely different.

Shero has been getting pilled on since his firing, and a lot of it is justified. But one thing great that he did, was to build a family environment here that had trust and honesty.

He didn't burn agents, he didn't promised guys that they were core players and sign long deals, just to trade them the next season. He was honest to Bill Guerin when he told him in 2009 what they could afford to pay him, and when it was time to not resign him. He earned enough trust with past players, where guys like Max Talbot and Mike Rupp would come back to him with their best UFA offer to see if the Pens could come close. He started the tradition of sending welcoming flowers to the wives of UFA's who signed here. Just little stuff like that,which goes a long way in relationships with players and agents.

Shero has been getting pilled on since his firing, and a lot of it is justified. But one thing great that he did, was to build a family environment here that had trust and honesty.

He didn't burn agents, he didn't promised guys that they were core players and sign long deals, just to trade them the next season. He was honest to Bill Guerin when he told him in 2009 what they could afford to pay him, and when it was time to not resign him. He earned enough trust with past players, where guys like Max Talbot and Mike Rupp would come back to him with their best UFA offer to see if the Pens could come close. He started the tradition of sending welcoming flowers to the wives of UFA's who signed here. Just little stuff like that,which goes a long way in relationships with players and agents.
- rival22

So why was he fired - draft record, playoff performances, refusing to fire Bylsma, Lemieux and company meddling???

So why was he fired - draft record, playoff performances, refusing to fire Bylsma, Lemieux and company meddling???
- RickJ

I would say it was a questionable draft record. Also, signing aging vets like Scuderi and Adams which kept younger players from getting a shot that were on entry level contracts did not help. If the Pens did not sign Scuderi and played Depres for example, Shero may have been able to use some of that money to construct a better 3rd and 4th line.

I think the pens should try to trade neal to florida for the 1st.
- ChrisMS

LOL ... trade a 30-40 goal scorer that is already developed for a prospect that could take three to four years to do anything. Smart move.

LOL ... trade a 30-40 goal scorer that is already developed for a prospect that could take three to four years to do anything. Smart move.
- Oneonta Penguin

Lose a large contract and a d-bag of a hockey player. in return get a player that may be able to step into the lineup right away on an elc, restock our depleted forward prospect ranks, and allow the new GM to make a statement. Sounds damn smart to me.

I like pancakes

So why was he fired - draft record, playoff performances, refusing to fire Bylsma, Lemieux and company meddling???
- RickJ

The overall construction of this team-too slow, too soft and no real forward prospects in the pipeline.

you look back at those years and the loss to the isles is what comes to mind? Man thats an unfortunate attitude. I look back and I see images of Lemieux splitting the stars d, or a line of mario/jagr/stevens. Winning a cup is hard. 15 teans a year have playoff failure and 14 teams a year wish they did.
- ChrisMS

Let me ask you 1 question. Other than the year both Crosby and Malkin were hurt, are you satisfied with the last 5 years?

I like pancakes
- BulliesPhan87

Yes, but with real maple syrup. No Log Cabin corn syrup BS. No.

The overall construction of this team-too slow, too soft and no real forward prospects in the pipeline.
- Thunderbolt

Need bangers with size who can complement the talent and get them the puck.

Lose a large contract and a d-bag of a hockey player. in return get a player that may be able to step into the lineup right away on an elc, restock our depleted forward prospect ranks, and allow the new GM to make a statement. Sounds damn smart to me.
- ChrisMS

LOL ... large contract. He makes 5 million which is basically cheap, not 7.25 million. You get a player that MAY be able to step into the lineup right away. MAY isn't a given. Chances are that may will take three to four years to make an impact, if he ever does. You trade a 30-40 goal scorer making a cheap 5 million for a question mark in a draft. Great strategy. Good job champ, once again. Glad you aren't the GM. We would be closer to Winnipeg with your line of thinking.

But the problem is, unless it comes down to spouting off random facts about where a player played junior hockey, nothing in Pierre's professional resume backs it up.

And arrogance in a player is one thing, arrogance in someone who has to build a staff that works smoothly together, and to deal daily with agents, and other general managers to gain their trust is completely different.
- rival22

EXACTLY

Shero has been getting pilled on since his firing, and a lot of it is justified. But one thing great that he did, was to build a family environment here that had trust and honesty.

He didn't burn agents, he didn't promised guys that they were core players and sign long deals, just to trade them the next season. He was honest to Bill Guerin when he told him in 2009 what they could afford to pay him, and when it was time to not resign him. He earned enough trust with past players, where guys like Max Talbot and Mike Rupp would come back to him with their best UFA offer to see if the Pens could come close. He started the tradition of sending welcoming flowers to the wives of UFA's who signed here. Just little stuff like that,which goes a long way in relationships with players and agents.
- rival22

All these amazing qualities and trust Shero created is remarkable in today's NHL or any sport franchise these days. Thank you Ray for being that guy.

Let me ask you 1 question. Other than the year both Crosby and Malkin were hurt, are you satisfied with the last 5 years?
- acpappas

overall... yes. Never missed the playoffs, got to watch some of the leagues best stars play, or at least play during the season... who knows where they went the past 2 post seasons. See.. I remember the rico fata / konstantin koltsov / milan kraft years. This city has been blessed like no other hockey team for the past 25 years or so. Anyone whos not satisfied needs to look at places like philly, buffalo, etc.

LOL ... large contract. He makes 5 million which is basically cheap, not 7.25 million. You get a player that MAY be able to step into the lineup right away. MAY isn't a given. Chances are that may will take three to four years to make an impact, if he ever does. You trade a 30-40 goal scorer making a cheap 5 million for a question mark in a draft. Great strategy. Good job champ, once again. Glad you aren't the GM. We would be closer to Winnipeg with your line of thinking.
- Oneonta Penguin

yawn

I for one am a little excited about Oskar Sundqvist and his development. He will need a bit of time. Maybe that's in Sweden. Maybe it's in WBS. But having him signed to his ELC now is good. He's becoming more of a threat offensively and he has great size. Skating has improved. PIMs are down. They had to get him locked because of his rights but that's just business.

Transferring to the North American style is difficult for a lot of young players but I think he's capable. It'd be great to have him in WBS next season and see how things play out. He's really grown since the draft. I hope he becomes one of the guys we actually thank Shero for drafting.

For the love of god , please , please Pens owners do NOT hire Pierre , we are f-ed if they are dumb enough to hire him. I fear for the Pens if this comes to past, although I'm not sure his ego can fit in CEC so we might not have to worry about it.

This is per a poster on TIOPS, so take it with a grain (or shovel full) of salt:

Sources are telling me the pens plan to hire Botterill as GM who will handle roster, salary cap, FA, etc and they will also hire McGuire as the head of development which will include drafting, scouting, and development.