So what to do about the Pittsburgh Penguins? So many questions and really no solid answers. Changes HAVE to be made. There is no logical reason for a team capable of this kind of dominance falling so often to teams they appeared to be better than.
I break this up into 4 possible issues:
1. Dan Byslma.
Is Disco Dead? Everyone seems to think so. And it isn't without merit on some levels, but it is hard to pinpoint exactly. Each season they have managed to find new ways to lose. In the two previous seasons, sure...you could point to MA Fleury...but not this season.
This season I point to a lack of confidence and a lack of emotion..and doesn't that fall back on Bylsma? The common denominator here to me is a lack of a system. Bylsma allows his players to do their thing and allows the system to be derived from the players in a way. And this doesn't always work for star players. It didn't work for the US team in Sochi either....The Penguins going down in the second round again is one thing...but when you look at their last two FIRST round victories they more or less survived them.
The Islanders and Jackets both came incredibly close to HUGE upsets. In each of the last four series the Penguins have played they haven't matched the emotional level of the team they were playing. Isn't that on Bylsma?
2. Ray Shero
By Ray Shero I mean team make-up. Are the players incapable of consistency? Who are the leaders in this group? Why does Crosby appear to be bringing more emotion to Team Canada while Malkin brought more emotion to the Penguins versus Team Russia? Is Letang really a D-man to build around? It is hard to completely criticize Shero because he has done a really great job managing several odd situations and made some big moves...like the Staal move and the acquisition of Jokinen....But can he keep Jokinen with all the star money tied up here?
3. Marc Andre Fleury
The Penguins have ridden this boat further than most thought they should. While you can't blame Fleury for THIS season, one way to change the culture of a team is to change the keeper. The Penguins players adore MAF and I almost sense they ride his emotion and follow his ups and downs into their own game....
4. Move Malkin and/or Letang
While this option feels less likely, we have reached a point where it needs to be considered. Malkin was great in the playoffs, but he is a center and a Russian center at that. He is from a culture where he is the #1 guy on his team and if you aren't the #1 guy on your team you are far less of a player. There is a reason Malkin thrived the season Crosby was out. He wants that role. At what point does he demand that role?
As for Letang...Is he really a defenseman? He is crazy skilled and his story coming back from his stroke should have been inspiring. But it wasn't and in fact it is so hard to say whether he should have even been playing at all. Was he ready? He didn't look it.
On Today's Hockeybuzzcast (at 1pm ET) we are joined by Kevin Allen of USA Today, today, to discuss last night and get you ready for a hell of a night ahead.