Ryan Wilson: What Is More Problematic: Mike Johnston's System Or His Player Usage? What Is More Problematic: Mike Johnston's System Or His Player Usage?

Last seasons first game numbers can be tossed in the trash, it makes
more sense to say that by the time MJ's "system" had any effect on the team what so ever it was flawed. But his system has nothing to do with these first 2 games.


I believe MJ does a lot of in game changing of his "system", case in point was Latang talking about player distance in accordance to their D. To me that's just growing pains from the Paul•Mart D days. We will have some growing pains

But MJ changing things on the fly game by game really makes his system moot. Sure game plan and have a general idea of what works for your players but having a system really goes out the window most nights anyways. Forechecking scheme and Tanger D system that's how they should roll. f everything else

The scheme this team needs to use is go F'ing score.

The split PP units is idiotic too and that's Johnston's fault 100%. Playing Scuderi 3rd most overall TOI so far is terrible. Almost any Pens fan would make better personnel decisions than Johnston has so far this season. It's not that hard. He better get his head outta his ass or he is gonna lose his job (deservingly).

I know its to early to start this. But let's entertain the thought of replacing Johnston in let's say December. Who's the best option to take his place?

IMO Gary Agnew the assistant coach would take over as an interim head coach. Nothing against Tochet (pretty sure I spelled that wrong) but Agnew has been an assistant long if I remember correctly. I also don't want the WBS coach Sullivan. He's had to many chances and failed. I wish we kept Haynes. He always made the best of a bad team in WBS.

Crosby has gotta be hurt, it's the only explanation

Crosby has gotta be hurt, it's the only explanation
- jimbro83

You have got to be the most annoying person on this entire site.

Did Disco Dan always shuffle lines this much during games?

We are two games in and i think we have seen about 5 billion line combinations.

Did Disco Dan always shuffle lines this much during games?

We are two games in and i think we have seen about 5 billion line combinations.
- ImThatGuy

Not really. Lines were actually quite consistent with him when everyone was healthy. Which wasn't often.

@ImThatGuy

Bylsma will constantly change lines. From what I remember, the defensive pairs will stay pretty much the same in the game, but he is always shifting forward lines around.

sometimes it makes sense when he does, but he also does it for no reason at times.

Crosby has gotta be hurt, it's the only explanation
- jimbro83

saw you guys are 3-0 already. you guys planning your parade or printing the "President's Trophy Winners" t-shirts like in the past?

Yes

You have got to be the most annoying person on this entire site.
- Zac_O

A fan who has seen failure more than success is trolling us again. Funny fact, the last time they won something meaningful that people remember was 1993-94. They act like its been a frequent occasion. It hasn't.

Crosby has gotta be hurt, it's the only explanation
- jimbro83

I laughed.

This is exactly what I was speaking to at the end of the last thread. The biggest issue the Pens have had the last few seasons is never committing to 1 style of play(skill team or physical team) and sticking to it by using the players properly. They have always tried to construct half of the roster to be a skill team around their star core and the other half to be a physical team and it has left them with no identity or direction.

Until this team fully commits to a style of play and builds their entire roster to fit that style of play they will continue to dredge along with no direction or identity. With a core of Crosby, Kessel, Malkin and Letang it would make the most sense to focus on being a skill team and the sooner they get the appropriate players into the lineup to support that style of play the sooner they will truly know if that works for this team or not. As long as they continue to try to force square pegs into round holes this team will be impossible to evaluate.

Crosby has gotta be hurt, it's the only explanation
- jimbro83

I know this was meant to be trolling but its a pretty accurate statement.

Scuderi is going to make my head explode if he plays this much all year. Seems like we had very good offensive opportunities both games and the opposing goalies played realy well .

I know this was meant to be trolling but its a pretty accurate statement.
- jaydogg1974

he's gotta be hurt right? only explanation

The Penguins have built a skilled team. With the long question mark on that philosophy being a very weak 2nd/3rd pairing defense.

Not the system as much as the lack of energy out of the gate. Only playing hard 20 Minutes a night isn't going to win you many games.

he's gotta be hurt right? only explanation
- jimbro83

We saw it the first time turd

We saw it the first time turd
- freeBartley

you think he'll go to the rangers board and brag about his comment on here like the other guy did?

you think he'll go to the rangers board and brag about his comment on here like the other guy did?
- SuperHenderson13

Yes he does that too. It's comical. But hey, they were the Eastern Conference champs two years ago so....

Yes he does that too. It's comical. But hey, they were the Eastern Conference champs two years ago so....
- madmike71

dude, they beat us 2 years in the playoffs... and then crashed and burned.

but hey, they beat us in the playoffs.

meanwhile if we go over to their board, they b!tch for a ref to suspend us.

dude, they beat us 2 years in the playoffs... and then crashed and burned.

but hey, they beat us in the playoffs.

meanwhile if we go over to their board, they b!tch for a ref to suspend us.
- SuperHenderson13

only reason this happened is because Crosby must've been playing hurt

Agree with the blog. I think MJ's system is perfectly suited to our players but one consistent criticism I've had of Johnston is his player usage.

Actually, some broader perspective....I've been out of the country for one week and come back to "Fire the coach" and the "sky is falling".....let's be a little patient here. 80 games to go...