Ryan Wilson: Change The System Change The System

As long as coach clueless is here this team isn't going anywhere.

There is no chance this will improve unless Johnston gets got. There is no chance that Johnston is fired unless we drop to the last wildcard spot and look like there is a legit shot we miss the playoffs. Our only hope is to weather the storm this season, accept this as a learning experience, and not renew Johnston's contract. It's up after this season, right?

No one is arguing that this system is working. It's obvious watching this team compared to last year. Pens play like castrated beaten down dogs. No forecheck, no pinching, limited defensive involvement on the rush, centers playing down low in the D zone. Of course Scuderi is doing well in it at the expense of everyone else. Until the Penguin's record reflects negatively on Johnston, nothing will change in terms of system or coaching.

not sure it was mentioned, but looks like McKay resigned from the Trib to head to DK's site to cover the Steelers.

Said it before, a lot of people including me questioned DK when he left a good job at the Trib to start this website. looks like it has worked out big time. Good for him. glad to see ventures like this be successful.

Did MJs system change from juniors to pro? Or did he keep the same system that worked with 15-18yr Olds and try to use it on a pro team? I ask because I never thought about it. I would love for him to try a better left wing lock or a neutral zone trap. Then again I would love for him to stop the dumping and chasing bullpoop... it doesn't work on this team... they need to gain the zone with the puck and drive to the net or drive to the wall to set up something

But hey...Scuderi's numbers are up!!!!!

The Kessel effect.

But hey...Scuderi's numbers are up!!!!!
- Emperor Filonius

Any team system in which Rob Scuderi is a beneficiary is NOT a team system an NHL team should be utilizing.

The Kessel effect.
- As_I_See_It

Coaching not to lose effect. Kessel has been the 2nd best skater on this underachieving team after Malkin.

I just turn the games off or fall asleep. I hate the current coach and system. I'm not paying top dollar to go watch them at Consol this year either. It seems management is clueless.

I am sick of watching teams play this style by coaches with outdated philosophies that don't seem to even attempt to understand any of the new data available.

Pretty much explains why Sid looks like he's going to work in a coal mine instead of playing professional hockey. It's not fun for anyone.

Pretty much explains why Sid looks like he's going to work in a coal mine instead of playing professional hockey. It's not fun for anyone.
- madmike71

Or why Malkin would say they are all angry at each other. Only one that is gonna be happy with this system is Scuderi.

Yeah, agreed.

The thing is, like some already mentioned, MJ won't get fired unless we drop out of playoff picture or put together a mean loss streak. Unfortunately with the talent we have we can assure a top 3 metropolitan spot even with crosby on pace for 44 points...

I hope I'm wrong and they dismiss him as soon as possible. It's not working, team is not improving.

I hope they fix this sooner rather than later.

Sounds like it's a coaching issue... I've only seen a couple PIT games and I'm just shocked that they can't put the puck Inthe net.

Just picked Scott Harrington for the Bucci Overtime Challenge. Come on, Leafs! Prove to me you won the Kessel trade!

It’s rather naïve (RW) to promote a single metric, or two, as “evidence” that suggests the system is broken. Aside from mere coincidence, you cannot estimate whether the delta in YoY numbers are a player effect, a team effect or league one. More junk numeracy. Hypothetically speaking, would the system still be considered broken if they ride it all the way to a championship? Should this group have more possession on a nightly basis? Yes. Should they be scoring more goals? Maybe. Should they be limiting shots against? Yes. Improving scoring chances for/ against? Yep.

I don’t have any issues w/ 200 ft. defensively responsible hockey. Especially when its played Apr-Jun. Maybe HCMJ is using the reg. season to teach this group how to play/ be successful in the PO’s. 3 teams have won the Cup since the Pens did so in ’09 and what factor do they have in common? Players that are committed to winning battles in all 3 zones.

The Pens possession numbers need to improve, especially if this group wants to make a deep playoff run. For the first ¼ of the season, they’ve been doing a lot of chasing. My issue is w/ #87 and #58 - not "system". You want to highlight system, how about poor individual performance?

Here’s #58 and #87’s season to date goal-against numbers and on-ice save percentages. Best players? Far from it. This team isn’t going anywhere, let alone the PO’s w/ numbers like these.

#58
24 of 46 @ ALL w/ ~ 90 Sv%
16 of 28 @ 5v5 w/ ~ 91 Sv%

#87
20 of 46 @ ALL w/ ~ 90 Sv%
15 of 28 @ 5v5 w/ ~ 90 Sv%

What’s interesting about it however, is the below average SV%. Both players are being utilized in two-way roles (i.e. favorable offensive zone starts + slightly tougher QoC) and cannot seem to keep the puck out of their net. System? Maybe they‘re being outplayed. I bet it has to do w/ each players “habit” of flying the zone (early) and getting caught on the wrong side of the puck. Perhaps, its poor positioning that results in higher quality chances against. I find it amusing that said #1 center and #1D-man have some of the worst on-ice SV%’s on the team (sans #19). Maybe it’s square peg – round hole syndrome? And don’t get me started on #87’s spatial aversion to the high traffic/ dirty areas on the ice where goals are scored from now days. System? How about player.

*numbers courtesy of war-on-ice

It’s rather naïve (RW) to promote a single metric, or two, as “evidence” that suggests the system is broken. Aside from mere coincidence, you cannot estimate whether the delta in YoY numbers are a player effect, a team effect or league one. More junk numeracy. Hypothetically speaking, would the system still be considered broken if they ride it all the way to a championship? Should this group have more possession on a nightly basis? Yes. Should they be scoring more goals? Maybe. Should they be limiting shots against? Yes. Improving scoring chances for/ against? Yep.

I don’t have any issues w/ 200 ft. defensively responsible hockey. Especially when its played Apr-Jun. Maybe HCMJ is using the reg. season to teach this group how to play/ be successful in the PO’s. 3 teams have won the Cup since the Pens did so in ’09 and what factor do they have in common? Players that are committed to winning battles in all 3 zones.

The Pens possession numbers need to improve, especially if this group wants to make a deep playoff run. For the first ¼ of the season, they’ve been doing a lot of chasing. My issue is w/ #87 and #58 - not "system". You want to highlight system, how about poor individual performance?

Here’s #58 and #87’s season to date goal-against numbers and on-ice save percentages. Best players? Far from it. This team isn’t going anywhere, let alone the PO’s w/ numbers like these.

#58
24 of 46 @ ALL w/ ~ 90 Sv%
16 of 28 @ 5v5 w/ ~ 91 Sv%

#87
20 of 46 @ ALL w/ ~ 90 Sv%
15 of 28 @ 5v5 w/ ~ 90 Sv%

What’s interesting about it however, is the below average SV%. Both players are being utilized in two-way roles (i.e. favorable offensive zone starts + slightly tougher QoC) and cannot seem to keep the puck out of their net. System? Maybe they‘re being outplayed. I bet it has to do w/ each players “habit” of flying the zone (early) and getting caught on the wrong side of the puck. Perhaps, its poor positioning that results in higher quality chances against. I find it amusing that said #1 center and #1D-man have some of the worst on-ice SV%’s on the team (sans #19). Maybe it’s square peg – round hole syndrome? And don’t get me started on #87’s spatial aversion to the high traffic/ dirty areas on the ice where goals are scored from now days. System? How about player.

*numbers courtesy of war-on-ice
- out_of_market

RW is using just a few data sets because it is concise for the audience and still relays the message. Anyone can go to War on Ice and see the more comprehensive data for themselves. It all consistently portrays the same story.
This team isn't going anywhere with this kind of play unless Fleury plays stellar through the postseason.
I'm as critical as anyone of Letang and Crosby this season. But goalie save% isn't in their control. Shots attempts allowed, scoring chances, etc. is however.

Babcock coached team Canada the same way thru the last Olympics. Think Sid had 3 points in 6 games. I don't mind this boring defensive shot blocking style. We've already proven to ourselves that the run and gun style only gets us into the 1st round, 2nd if we get lucky.

RW is using just a few data sets because it is concise for the audience and still relays the message. Anyone can go to War on Ice and see the more comprehensive data for themselves. It all consistently portrays the same story.
This team isn't going anywhere with this kind of play unless Fleury plays stellar through the postseason.
I'm as critical as anyone of Letang and Crosby this season. But goalie save% isn't in their control. Shots attempts allowed, scoring chances, etc. is however.
- jfkst1

Chasing (i.e. playing w/out the puck) is not desirable. Game-in/game-out, it's going to happen though. This group - especially some players - are not good away from the puck. For me, it starts w/ #87 and #58 (and not #4).

Although on-ice SV% is not directly attributable to skaters, it's highly influenced by their play (i.e. amount of time and space). Add-in quality and quantity scoring chances against, as you mentioned. The 95% conf interval for 5v5 SV% is 92.2-93.2. During 3v3 the mean drops from 92.7 to 84.5. Player effect (more time/space). Hockey is a game w/ immense variation; I think its interesting that #58 and #87 have lower than average on-ice SV%. Reference my comment about playing tough in all 3 zones.

My point was to emphasize individual player performance instead of system. I do not understand why #87 and #58 are scapegoated from criticism (generally speaking) when they deserve the brunt of it. They stink this year.

Chasing (i.e. playing w/out the puck) is not desirable. Game-in/game-out, it's going to happen though. This group - especially some players - are not good away from the puck. For me, it starts w/ #87 and #58 (and not #4).

Although on-ice SV% is not directly attributable to skaters, it's highly influenced by their play (i.e. amount of time and space). Add-in quality and quantity scoring chances against, as you mentioned. The 95% conf interval for 5v5 SV% is 92.2-93.2. During 3v3 the mean drops from 92.7 to 84.5. Player effect (more time/space). Hockey is a game w/ immense variation; I think its interesting that #58 and #87 have lower than average on-ice SV%. Reference my comment about playing tough in all 3 zones.

My point was to emphasize individual player performance instead of system. I do not understand why #87 and #58 are scapegoated from criticism (generally speaking) when they deserve the brunt of it. They stink this year.
- out_of_market

Sure it will happen to every team at points in a season. That doesn't explain the overwhelming evidence that suggests Johnston is using a system that is not in this roster's best interest with the exception of one bottom pairing dman. This team doesn't play tough in any zone. They sure do spend a lot of time in the defensive one though.

Penguins should hire Terry Murray. He worked wonders with the Kings, and was responsible for the defense-first system that won them 2 Cups.

Sure it will happen to every team at points in a season. That doesn't explain the overwhelming evidence that suggests Johnston is using a system that is not in this roster's best interest with the exception of one bottom pairing dman. This team doesn't play tough in any zone. They sure do spend a lot of time in the defensive one though.
- jfkst1

I don't profess to know a ton about specific systems in the NHL (I know the basics). One thing I do know that's pretty much universal in ANY business. If your employees don't "buy in", you will fail. From what I've seen on a nightly basis, these players aren't exactly on board the MJ train.