And let's not forget, that the playoffs depend A LOT on luck... Yes, you need to be a good team, but also need to be a lucky team. The Kings were down 3 game to 2 to Anaheim and won GM #6 2-1 to force game 7. A bounce Anaheim's way, and the Kings could have been golfing a month ago. Then the followed that up with a GM #7 OT win versus Chicago on a shot deflected past Crawford.
- rival22

No doubt about it. That was a series they had 3-1 as well. Chicago took them to the brink. They just kept working hard and got it done. Win or lose, that's all you can ask for.

Allan Walsh ‏@walsha 1m
I spoke with Tomas Vokoun earlier today and he is 100% committed to playing in the NHL next season.

I'm not sure that it will happen (and it likely won't be here), but I wish him the best. He seems like a smart and amazingly self aware person.

ProHockeyTalk has listed Hynes as their #1 candidate for the head coaching job. Keenan is #2 so I would take the list with a grain of salt.

ProHockeyTalk has listed Hynes as their #1 candidate for the head coaching job. Keenan is #2 so I would take the list with a grain of salt.
- usethe1-2-2

As a bridge to Babcock, I'd be happy with Keenan for a year.

Allan Walsh ‏@walsha 1m
I spoke with Tomas Vokoun earlier today and he is 100% committed to playing in the NHL next season.

I'm not sure that it will happen (and it likely won't be here), but I wish him the best. He seems like a smart and amazingly self aware person.
- rival22

Certainly wish him luck no matter what. He's a very nice guy and a fierce competitior. More than I ever realized.

ProHockeyTalk has listed Hynes as their #1 candidate for the head coaching job. Keenan is #2 so I would take the list with a grain of salt.
- usethe1-2-2

I'd say that list ought to be looked at a bit differently. John Stevens should be at the top. After that you're looking at Desjardins or Hynes. All 3 should get a look. I just think those 3 are the best. Stevens chief among them.

Stevens has done a fine job under Sutter in LA...and by himself in opportunities he had before.

Desjardins has dealt a lot with a successful Dallas AHL and in the CHL. Has taken hold of the system in Dallas. A lot of good young, tough players made their way to the big club there.

Hynes, we know a good bit about. Obviously will be interviewed. He'd be the guy Botteril is familiar with. Doesn't necessarily have the same views as Bylsma.

I DO NOT want Keenan anywhere near this team. Keep him in the KHL.

ProHockeyTalk has listed Hynes as their #1 candidate for the head coaching job. Keenan is #2 so I would take the list with a grain of salt.
- usethe1-2-2

I don't see Keenan as a viable candidate here. He is basically Torts to me.

I think the Pens played some of their best hockey last year when the young guys came up. That's got to be a testament to the job Hynes has been doing down there.

I have to admit I want a guy from outside the organization, but I won't be too upset if they give him the job.

Mike Keenan? Now that would really piss me off.

It would be nice to see a real checking third line next year. A line that can play in a total shutdown role. A good checking line plays more in O zone than D zone so scoring chances come. Get Crosby some better match ups. Could Raymond be a part of that? I don't know but he def can play hockey. Gibbons should be a lock for the 4th line this year, he isn't my idea of a perfect 4th liner but as far as resources he is our best choice. Gibbons-Goc-please don't say Megna

As a bridge to Babcock, I'd be happy with Keenan for a year.
- Topshelf Mountain

You just can't "bridge" to a coach though. To waste a year waiting for someone isn't right to the team or the fans. There is no certainty that Babcock will coach the team either. He might be ready for a management role. I also do not want Keenan.

Seems as though as the team may not be the culprit for the 7 game series but the goaltender
- Ryan_Wilson

Good chart. Love the bottom of the list. MAF and Barrasso hanging out down there!

I'd say that list ought to be looked at a bit differently. John Stevens should be at the top. After that you're looking at Desjardins or Hynes. All 3 should get a look. I just think those 3 are the best. Stevens chief among them.

Stevens has done a fine job under Sutter in LA...and by himself in opportunities he had before.

Desjardins has dealt a lot with a successful Dallas AHL and in the CHL. Has taken hold of the system in Dallas. A lot of good young, tough players made their way to the big club there.

Hynes, we know a good bit about. Obviously will be interviewed. He'd be the guy Botteril is familiar with. Doesn't necessarily have the same views as Bylsma.

I DO NOT want Keenan anywhere near this team. Keep him in the KHL.
- HopintheCordoba

I would be fine with Stevens, but I really think this organization wants to build from within now. I think they are looking heavily at the Chicago model. Coach isn't exactly part of that scheme, as Chicago did go with an older coach, but Hynes' work in the development at the AHL level and his ties to USA hockey and junior hockey are fresh. He also has a good connection with the management staff. I still think he is the front runner, but Desjardins or Stevens wouldn't be a bad hire.

I too do not want Keenan.

And let's not forget, that the playoffs depend A LOT on luck... Yes, you need to be a good team, but also need to be a lucky team. The Kings were down 3 game to 2 to Anaheim and won GM #6 2-1 to force game 7. A bounce Anaheim's way, and the Kings could have been golfing a month ago. Then the followed that up with a GM #7 OT win versus Chicago on a shot deflected past Crawford.
- rival22

More than any hockey fan would care to know about!

Seems as though as the team may not be the culprit for the 7 game series but the goaltender
- Ryan_Wilson

Oh and Quick on each end too. Don't know what that means but I think it means something...

Certainly wish him luck no matter what. He's a very nice guy and a fierce competitior. More than I ever realized.
- HopintheCordoba

Same here... You gotta wonder what his career legacy would be if he spent the bulk of his career on good, playoff caliber teams.

I just did some sorting on Hockey Reference, and if you take him from his rookie year through last season, for goalies who have played at least 300 games, his save percentage is 7th:

1 Tim Thomas .921
2 Dominik Hasek .920
3 Henrik Lundqvist .920
4 Roberto Luongo .919
5 Patrick Roy .918
6 Niklas Backstrom .917
7 Tomas Vokoun .917

Pretty good company, and outside of Backstrom, those other guys played on MUCH better defensive teams.

You just can't "bridge" to a coach though. To waste a year waiting for someone isn't right to the team or the fans. There is no certainty that Babcock will coach the team either. He might be ready for a management role. I also do not want Keenan.
- usethe1-2-2

He's had success and this team needs a severe kick in the rear. If it's a one year deal while the organization assesses itself, I'm good with it. My initial point, and why I'm fine with him is only if Babcock is at the end of the rainbow. Let Keenan reassert himself in the NHL while straightening up the Pens locker room. I don't think it'd be wasting a year and the players at the bottom of the totem pole would be held more accountable than ever before. Something Crosby and Malkin need.

Pit needs to move Fleury.. First thing the new GM should do.
- bixll

Oh, I'll play on this one. What would be the grand master plan for this one? I don't think you have a clue on who would be available that would be an upgrade here.

So, I'm sure Winnipeg and Carolina would be calling offering Pavelec or Ward. Does that suit you? Both are worse.

Who next? The expensive and overrated Ryan Miller that will cost 6.5 million? That would be dumb. Ray Emery, Bryz, Jonas Hiller, who was supplanted by two other goalies last year? Maybe Neimi could be had from SJ. Dig up Barrasso? Martin Biron? How about 50-year old Marty B? Tim Thomas? Devan Duknyk? Nabakov? JS-Giguere? Nikoli Khabiibulin?

The options are limited. MAF wasn't the problem why we lost to the Rags. Not even close. The players in front determined that series due to poopty effort and play.

The GM will have to address the goaltending with MAF being a UFA in a year. We don't have a prospect that will be ready for three years. So ... what's the plan? Be careful, because of our cap situation and the rest of the options suck.

Oh, I'll play on this one. What would be the grand master plan for this one? I don't think you have a clue on who would be available that would be an upgrade here.

So, I'm sure Winnipeg and Carolina would be calling offering Pavelec or Ward. Does that suit you? Both are worse.

Who next? The expensive and overrated Ryan Miller that will cost 6.5 million? That would be dumb. Ray Emery, Bryz, Jonas Hiller, who was supplanted by two other goalies last year? Maybe Neimi could be had from SJ. Dig up Barrasso? Martin Biron? How about 50-year old Marty B?

The options are limited. MAF wasn't the problem why we lost to the Rags. Not even close. The players in front determined that series due to poopty effort and play.

The GM will have to address the goaltending with MAF being a UFA in a year. We don't have a prospect that will be ready for three years. So ... what's the plan? Be careful, because of our cap situation and the rest of the options suck.
- Oneonta Penguin

Yes please! Nothing like 50 foot shots sneaking through an unobstructed goaltender in the conference finals. Oh, to see the rats again

http://www.thehockeynews....dnt-want-him-in-san-jose/

I say we trade MAF, Letang, a 1st, Poulliot, and Megna...problems are solved and all is right with the world.

Far from what I meant, but go enjoy your pissyness.
- Guile

But he just ordered gold pads...

Hell no to Raymond.

Would avoid Raymond and his 2M demands(guess), would stick it out with Gibbons instead.

http://www.thehockeynews.com/blog/joe-thornton-would-accept-a-trade-if-the-fans-didnt-want-him-in-san-jose/

I say we trade MAF, Letang, a 1st, Poulliot, and Megna...problems are solved and all is right with the world.
- Reverend Killtaker

Just what we need, a play-off choker.

Oh, I'll play on this one. What would be the grand master plan for this one? I don't think you have a clue on who would be available that would be an upgrade here.

So, I'm sure Winnipeg and Carolina would be calling offering Pavelec or Ward. Does that suit you? Both are worse.

Who next? The expensive and overrated Ryan Miller that will cost 6.5 million? That would be dumb. Ray Emery, Bryz, Jonas Hiller, who was supplanted by two other goalies last year? Maybe Neimi could be had from SJ. Dig up Barrasso? Martin Biron? How about 50-year old Marty B? Tim Thomas? Devan Duknyk? Nabakov? JS-Giguere? Nikoli Khabiibulin?

The options are limited. MAF wasn't the problem why we lost to the Rags. Not even close. The players in front determined that series due to poopty effort and play.

The GM will have to address the goaltending with MAF being a UFA in a year. We don't have a prospect that will be ready for three years. So ... what's the plan? Be careful, because of our cap situation and the rest of the options suck.
- Oneonta Penguin

Malkin + Neal + Fleury to Nashville
Weber + Rinne + 1st to Pens

Malkin + Neal + Fleury to Nashville
Weber + Rinne + 1st to Pens
- stackthepads

Really?