Yohe’s Post Season Reportcard was actually pretty fair. I thought he was a bit too lenient on Dumo and Schultz though. If you’re gonna give Kris Letang an F, you gotta give Dumo an F-, and Schultz was not “perfectly solid”. Besides game 1, he was completely ineffective. I’ve said enough times why I think that is, so I won’t go into it, but the fact remains that he was not “perfectly solid”.

Yohe’s Post Season Reportcard was actually pretty fair. I thought he was a bit too lenient on Dumo and Schultz though. If you’re gonna give Kris Letang an F, you gotta give Dumo an F-, and Schultz was not “perfectly solid”. Besides game 1, he was completely ineffective. I’ve said enough times why I think that is, so I won’t go into it, but the fact remains that he was not “perfectly solid”.
- Victoro311

Was this in The Athletic?

I agree with what you said.

Yohe’s Post Season Reportcard was actually pretty fair. I thought he was a bit too lenient on Dumo and Schultz though. If you’re gonna give Kris Letang an F, you gotta give Dumo an F-, and Schultz was not “perfectly solid”. Besides game 1, he was completely ineffective. I’ve said enough times why I think that is, so I won’t go into it, but the fact remains that he was not “perfectly solid”.
- Victoro311

certain players get certain grades because they’re nice to Yohe and buy him pizza in the sath side.

I do, I believe he did a lot of good things here. Of course I don't have access to any of the inner workings that went on during his tenure here.

I would like to see Rutherford turn over the everyday GM duties to a younger guy. I think he has overextended himself. And with only having to answer to Mario he has no one to counter some of his crazy moves. Mario is very patient but is decisive when he makes a decision and I can see him stepping in and removing GMJR from his GM position.

Also Matt Cullen returned this year for reasons other than playing one more year. He is going to get a position in the organization somewhere.
- Thunderbolt

I thought Cullen had a solid year, especially down the stretch... he had a few really nice goals for an old guy, LOL. And his 4th line was about the only thing that didn't warrant a failing grade against the Isles.

Was this in The Athletic?

I agree with what you said.
- MattStrat

Yeah he’s been there for about a year. The Athletic might be a bit much if you only follow one sport, but if you follow multiple sports it’s super worth the money.

certain players get certain grades because they’re nice to Yohe and buy him pizza in the sath side.
- j.boyd919

Gave Hornqvist an F. He female doged about it but he did it. Also gave Sullivan a D. And gave Kessel, who he hates, the second best grade (B).

Curious as to whether you gentlemen think losing former assistant GM Botterill has hurt the Penguins in the past couple of years.

I figure he will fix the Sabres given more time, but it does seem like he messed up with the Housley hiring (some talk in the Sabres thread that the owners really wanted Housley). My worry is that if the next coach doesn't improve the Sabres then Botterill will be the next fall guy.
- 100goalseason

If it's actually true that the Pens have dumped advanced stats since Botterill left, then the answer is yes. I've always been a 'gut-feeling' guy when it comes to decisions...mostly because advanced stats are WAY younger than I... you simply can't ignore what they bring.

Gave Hornqvist an F. He female doged about it but he did it. Also gave Sullivan a D. And gave Kessel, who he hates, the second best grade (B).
- Victoro311

Well that’s bizarre hahaha

The JJ signing so much didn't make sense, that I have a theory on that too:

He was just barely good enough to be signed, and because him and Sid are good friends, Sid asked GMJR threw him a $ bone (considering his financial situation).

Seems crazy, I know, but no one else to date has come up with a better explanation...

He's actually played much better since the Pens moved him to his natural side, and I think most of the abuse he takes is GMJR's fault, for the overpay.
- Cousinskrid

Mackey said there were actually 2 other teams bidding for JJ. Detroit and Anaheim. He also said JJ was looking for a set amount and JR wanted to limit the yearly cap hit so he gave him a 5th year.

If JR is signing players because they're friends with a star player, he should fire himself. I don't believe it to be honest. When you look at the types of players Jim has brought in, JJ fits that mold. Bigger, tougher is a focus for JR.

JJ was brutal on the right and you're right, he played better on the left. Then he became brutal on the left too. I think he's the worst mistake the Pens made in a long, long time due to his 2 ton contract.

Yeah he’s been there for about a year. The Athletic might be a bit much if you only follow one sport, but if you follow multiple sports it’s super worth the money.
- Victoro311

Yeah, this was my attitude towards the DK sub. Just didnt care enough about the other sports. It's not that I dont like them, I like all sports and especially their playoffs, but I don't follow any other sport much like hockey.

Gave Hornqvist an F. He female doged about it but he did it. Also gave Sullivan a D. And gave Kessel, who he hates, the second best grade (B).
- Victoro311

Yeah disagree with Kessel....He gets paid to score goals. He had 2 in his last 20 games and was a no show as well in the playoffs. He's the piece Im looking to move in the off season. He looked a bit slower this year too.

7.25 mill for what Tanger brings is a bargain now. You are not finding anyone that comes close to replacing him for that value. I'll be the first to admit he looked bad these playoffs but he wasnt 100%, no way, and also hadnt had a lot of game action before game 1.
- MattStrat

I don't believe those rumors at all. Most Pittsburgh media are dopes. They are more over-reactionary than the fans. He played great most of the year. I think the Islanders structure and game plan really highlighted his flaws. I do believe he needs to change his game a little. For that matter, Sully needs to adjust his game plan for the roster he has, not the roster he wants.

Letang just isn't as fast as he used to be. I remember when he'd make one of those gaffes at the blue line and have no problem getting back into the play. He's lost a step. I noticed it last year. Still fast. Just not as fast.

Yeah disagree with Kessel....He gets paid to score goals. He had 2 in his last 20 games and was a no show as well in the playoffs. He's the piece Im looking to move in the off season. He looked a bit slower this year too.
- sammy87

Kessel had 6 goals and 13 assist for 19 points in the last 20 games. Yeah let’s trade a guy who was a point per game player. Fūcking retarded.

Yeah disagree with Kessel....He gets paid to score goals. He had 2 in his last 20 games and was a no show as well in the playoffs. He's the piece Im looking to move in the off season. He looked a bit slower this year too.
- sammy87

Kessel gets paid to produce offense at elite levels. He was PPG, and that’s with having a suboptimal goal funk by his standards during the second half of the season. Find a new slant.

Also the report card was specifically for the post season. If he did a full season one, I’m sure Yohe in all his wisdom would give Phil a C or something, which would be wrong.

Kessel had 6 goals and 13 assist for 19 points in the last 20 games. Yeah let’s trade a guy who was a point per game player. Fūcking retarded.
- j.boyd919

The overreactions, and ideas as a result, were foretold to be drastic and aplenty...the prophecy is coming true...

Kessel gets paid to produce offense at elite levels. He was PPG, and that’s with having a suboptimal goal funk by his standards during the second half of the season. Find a new slant.

Also the report card was specifically for the post season. If he did a full season one, I’m sure Yohe in all his wisdom would give Phil a C or something, which would be wrong.
- Victoro311

To my eyes he was one of the most engaged and hard working Pens players in those 4 games....there weren't many of them...

I love Letang but they absolutely should consider moving him. He's fantastic but eats a lot of cap space and is always injured. They need to listen to see if anyone is willing to pay out a premium.

Along the same line, they need to listen to offers on anyone not named Crosby or Guentzel.
- MacPatty

So you’re saying they should listen to offers on Geno and Murray?

JJ was brutal on the right and you're right, he played better on the left. Then he became brutal on the left too. I think he's the worst mistake the Pens made in a long, long time due to his 2 ton contract.
- madmike71

JJ playing better anywhere is only relative to JK himself. He was brutal everywhere.

Curious as to whether you gentlemen think losing former assistant GM Botterill has hurt the Penguins in the past couple of years.

I figure he will fix the Sabres given more time, but it does seem like he messed up with the Housley hiring (some talk in the Sabres thread that the owners really wanted Housley). My worry is that if the next coach doesn't improve the Sabres then Botterill will be the next fall guy.
- 100goalseason

Seems to me that there is a very observable change in the way the FO approached team construction and minor moves before Botterill left and after he left. It’s purely speculative, but the trends suggest it.

And good, the Sabers should fire Bots’ ass so we can hire him back off the unemployment line when Rutherford retires hopefully after this season.

JJ playing better anywhere is only relative to JK himself. He was brutal everywhere.
- Rinosaur

Like I’ve been saying, the difference between Johnson on the right side and Johnson on the left side is the difference between a sub-replacement level player and a replacement level player. If we’re really gonna give a guy props for making this “jump” in his game when he got moved to the left side, then what the hell’s the bar?

So you’re saying they should listen to offers on Geno and Murray?
- Rinosaur

I love Geno, but I think they should listen to offers on Geno and Letang. I just don't think Geno's east-west, dipsy-doodle style fits Sully's system. And Letang just does his own thing WAY too often, which has contributed greatly to all the breakaways. And I really thought the Pens played much better D and as a group when he was out injured down the stretch.

Murray was solid during that same stretch... is there a correlation??

So you’re saying they should listen to offers on Geno and Murray?
- Rinosaur

I’m not opposed to using Murray as a trade chip to be honest.

I’m not opposed to using Murray as a trade chip to be honest.
- j.boyd919

Rossi says extending him is priority 1 of the off season. If they throw huge money at him I’d probably want him gone.

I’m not opposed to using Murray as a trade chip to be honest.
- j.boyd919

Who would you be expecting to take his place?

Rossi says extending him is priority 1 of the off season. If they throw huge money at him I’d probably want him gone.
- Victoro311

I can’t imagine he gets more than $6M