Isn't Jacques Martin in the organization somewhere? If so, there's the inspiration for the "defence first, I'd rather lose 2-1 than win 7-5" that seems to currently plague the Pens. Even Therrien isn't as fanatical on that level.

Isn't Jacques Martin in the organization somewhere? If so, there's the inspiration for the "defence first, I'd rather lose 2-1 than win 7-5" that seems to currently plague the Pens. Even Therrien isn't as fanatical on that level.
- Ovation

The point is, if the goalie is stopping 93+% of the shots like Fleury has, the team isn't going to allow many goals in the first place regardless of whatever system they play. Right now they are just letting other teams do whatever they want.

Letang has sucked almost as much as Crosby. He has a limited NTC so doubt he's going anywhere. How much would it take to get Wiercioch?
- jfkst1

Unfortunately not much. Wier is having a down year (still way better than Cowen or Boro) but management has soured on him. I bet he can be had for a mid round pick. I'd rather keep Wier than a 3rd or 4th but he's a whipping boy for the D fairly or unfairly.

I thought this was one of RW's better articles. Hated it yesterday, but at least he is acknowledging and demonstrating why the Pens are failing.
- jfkst1

I agree its nice he's addressing the issue but he's going about it the long route. It's like teaching a kid about the entire reproductive system when they ask where milk comes from. Youre not wrong, but you did it the wrong way.

Unfortunately not much. Wier is having a down year (still way better than Cowen or Boro) but management has soured on him. I bet he can be had for a mid round pick. I'd rather keep Wier than a 3rd or 4th but he's a whipping boy for the D fairly or unfairly.
- riceroni

I've always liked him but he seems very inconsistent. Regardless, he's one of the players I'd like to see Pittsburgh target for a reason you mentioned; he shouldn't be much to acquire.

Good blog. What's the point of having 4 scoring lines if we don't let them score?

Yohe shared a stat the other day dating back to last season. It was like 2 goals per game for the last 56 games. We won't win many games scoring 2 goals.

The last 10 and probably 20 cups have been won by teams playing a responsible 200 foot game. Suggesting the coach is setting his team up to fail by playing two way hockey is dead wrong. The problem is the Pen's GM who thought bringing in a player (Kessel) who has demonstrated he will not play a 2 way game instead of bringing in a couple of better defensemen or 2 way forwards is the real issue.

Other than the 1980's Oilers or the 90's Penguins show me one team who won a Stanley cup without having the ability to play a 2 way game.

I read somewhere that Coach MJ is at a loss at how he could fix things. If true, the story tells us the Pens need to fire him and hire a coach who will implement a system that maximizes the talent on the team.

Coaches are not given blank slates on which to draw their magnificent designs. The are constrained by the material they inherit. Johnson, Bylsma & Shero were gifted with an Enzo. The used it to pull tree stumps out of rocky ground....

I had my doubts about Johnson when he publicly dismissed Pouliot and when Scuderi insolently dismissed his critics. Johnson also dismissed Despres after the trade. Perhaps both were irresponsible dmen whereas Scuderi was good despite his numbers. What we know now is that Johnson is an irresponsible coach because he is responsible for wasting yet another year of Crosby, Malkin and Letang's all-too-short careers.

This is like watching McClatchy and Littlefield destroy the Pirates -- clueless men who had reached their level of manifest incompetence. The same but different.

The last 10 and probably 20 cups have been won by teams playing a responsible 200 foot game. Suggesting the coach is setting his team up to fail by playing two way hockey is dead wrong. The problem is the Pen's GM who thought bringing in a player (Kessel) who has demonstrated he will not play a 2 way game instead of bringing in a couple of better defensemen or 2 way forwards is the real issue.

Other than the 1980's Oilers or the 90's Penguins show me one team who won a Stanley cup without having the ability to play a 2 way game.
- paulr

Johnston isn't making the team a responsible defensive team. They are just a team that is constantly on defense. Chicago is a hell of a lot better defensively than Pittsburgh but Pens are getting better goaltending, which is where the low GA comes from.
2009 Pens won their SC with an offense that was stronger than the defense.

Good blog. What's the point of having 4 scoring lines if we don't let them score?

Yohe shared a stat the other day dating back to last season. It was like 2 goals per game for the last 56 games. We won't win many games scoring 2 goals.
- Conse

I think Johnston assumed the four scoring lines would be scoring no matter what. So he preached defense. And now they aren't scoring. Johnston is exposesed as what he is, a junior team coach.

You guys need Brian Strait back, IMHO

You guys need Brian Strait back, IMHO
- eichiefs9

We do... Will trade you Rob Scuderi for him.

Well now that Ryan Wilson has related pro hockey issues to those of American high school hockey(I bet the average Canadian girls team could light up the team he's talking about, they would definitely be taller than 5'7 at every position.) things will change for the better.

Hes doing amazing How does a decent 1st pairing D-man and decent 3rd pairing D-man sound? We will throw in Scuderi.
- Zac_O

Amazing? You simply have a different definition of amazing than I do.

We do... Will trade you Rob Scuderi for him.
- madmike71

But only if they send cash back with Strait.

Hopefully once JR trades for his 2nd pairing guy, as he told Yohe he would, Johnston will open things up more.

Like in Ryan's story about his high school team, maybe Johnston truly feels he has to cover up for a bad defense (well... a bad scuderi mostly... Everyone else at least deserves an NHL roster spot.) by neutering the offense. It's time to open things up.

Does anybody know where to go to see what Defensemen that Crosby has spent the most time with?

I kinda hope the answer is Scuderi because that would explain so much and is something that will be improved the second they trade for someone (or play Clendenning or Pouliot).
- poopmouth

Yeah Crosby unit is always paired with Scuderi and Letang is with Malkin. MJ deploys 5 man units.

Looking back to the eartly 90's Pens, kinda sorta leaves you to wonder if the player mutiny isn't all bad. A 'teaching' coach as apparently as Johnston is would be a great fit for a much younger team like Edmonton, but maybe not this team full of grizzled vets, and stars on the cusp of their career peaks, if not some of them beyond.
Even while Sid and Geno are 'saying all the right things' in interviews the past few days, I agree with Ryan here... statistics aside, THE PENS ARE BORING TO WATCH!!
- skridscousin

Which stars are on the cusp of their career peaks? While not necessarily on the decline, most of the Pens stars are beyond their peaks.

Yeah Crosby unit is always paired with Scuderi and Letang is with Malkin. MJ deploys 5 man units.
- dcoms77

That might be Johnston's intention, but Malkin and Crosby are getting significant exposure to every defensive pairing.
http://stats.hockeyanalys...ue&season=2015-16&sit=5v5
http://stats.hockeyanalys...ue&season=2015-16&sit=5v5

[quote=Klaatu]
Because plus minus is a stupid stat that only idiots and kings fans and idiot kings fans even look at.

Amazing? You simply have a different definition of amazing than I do.
- Oneonta Penguin

I use the sarcasm italics for that part. I'm just trying to sell him for more than he's worth.

I used to wear a cup to protect my fenwick
- jimbro83

But then you realized that the chances of it actually being struck were so minute that you gave up wearing a cup all together

Why are there moronic NYR fans here ... As if they know anything about hockey...
- nyrsucks

If they knew anything at all they wouldn't be Rangers fans, why be despised when you don't have to be?

I thought this was interesting from the PG yesterday:

RyanD: Hi Seth! Do you see or feel any ill feelings from the players towards the coaching staff?

Seth Rorabaugh: If there are any ill feelings towards the coaching staff, the players haven't made it known either on or off the record. For example, when they have a meeting after practice, EVERYONE is on time for them. In contrast, during Dan Bylsma's last season, players seemed to make "mandatory" meetings optional.

Looks like Bylsma very much had a "country club" approach.

Which stars are on the cusp of their career peaks? While not necessarily on the decline, most of the Pens stars are beyond their peaks.
- jaydogg1974

Crosby, Malkin, Letang, Fleury... and I think I mentioned 'beyond'...

But then you realized that the chances of it actually being struck were so minute that you gave up wearing a cup all together
- dcoms77