Guentzel never really was great at those tough board battles getting the puck out.

Guentzel never really was great at those tough board battles getting the puck out.
- Grinder47

Lies.

He was always shifty on the boards. If the stat was tracked over his career I would bet he won them/came away with puck a lot more than he didn't. Pens probably don't win the 2017 cup without him if we're being honest with ourselves here, Grindy.

Lies.

He was always shifty on the boards. If the stat was tracked over his career I would bet he won them/came away with puck a lot more than he didn't. Pens probably don't win the 2017 cup without him if we're being honest with ourselves here, Grindy.
- MattStrat

He lost the game for Tampa not being able to clear the puck. Good scorer. Not a great player. Career scoring role player.

Lies.

He was always shifty on the boards. If the stat was tracked over his career I would bet he won them/came away with puck a lot more than he didn't. Pens probably don't win the 2017 cup without him if we're being honest with ourselves here, Grindy.
- MattStrat

He played his role well.

Step 1 is *almost* complete. It’s changing the head coach.

The obvious question is the replacement. Whomever it is - it is a key that they don't have the fear of dressing a player for fear he'll make a mistake at a critical time in a game. And, that they understand there really is a real physical aspect to a winning team.

Is David Carle the man??

Tortorella gets the physical part not so much the youth mistakes part. Just, no more retreads… Tochett gets the physical part but has he become a retread?

When's the last time the NHL had a player coach? [Asking for a friend, of course]

Stop trying to make Flip Hallander happen. It’s not going to happen.

Step 1 is *almost* complete. It’s changing the head coach.

The obvious question is the replacement. Whomever it is - it is a key that they don't have the fear of dressing a player for fear he'll make a mistake at a critical time in a game. And, that they understand there really is a real physical aspect to a winning team.

Is David Carle the man??

Tortorella gets the physical part not so much the youth mistakes part. Just, no more retreads… Tochett gets the physical part but has he become a retread?

When's the last time the NHL had a player coach?
- sufi-judge[Asking for a friend, of course]

I want a coach that can sit down with the leaders of the team and tell them the quickest way to return to the playoffs is to prevent GA's. Whatever the system, they can't continue to give up the kinds of chances they allow every game. This is way more than a goal tending problem. There's no reason to have a guy like Petts (whoever replaces him) pinching all the time. The new coach needs to sit down with Letang and honestly discuss his current level of play. I'm sure in his mind, he feels like he can play like he did 10 years ago. He can't. He's making way too many mistakes that he can't recover from the way he used to a decade ago. I'm all for trading EK, but I don't know who fills that hole because it sure isn't Letang.

This is why I think Tocchet is the right guy. He's a retread, but I think the next couple of years will be almost impossible for a young guy.

I thought more about this situation and boy has Dubas taken a big risk. Sullivan, despite his flaws and the team's shortcomings, was a very popular coach inside the locker room and in Pittsburgh in general. Dubas could easily have slow cooked these last few years, maybe catch lightning in a bottle, but otherwise, more towards the end of the Malkin/Letang era quietly and without much good or bad.

I think there is a very real possibility next year is Malkin's last year and a not so distant chance its Letang's last year as well despite him having several more years left. Neither player is aging very well and Letang especially looks to be rapidly declining. Its weird saying that about Geno since he still put up 50 points in 68 games, but in reality, he is only going to decline. Not sure either one of them are the types to play until the wheels fall off.

If Dubas got the sense this would be their last year, then I would've held off on firing Sullivan for one more year. Having a new coach, especially if he favors a younger/less experienced option, come into this situation with older hall of fame players and a bunch of kids, is a difficult line to walk.

And DK mentioned in his article that Dubas ruled out MacDonald for the coaching job. Not sure if that is speculation by DK or if Dubas said it behind the scenes because I dont recall him saying it in his presser.

Step 1 is *almost* complete. It’s changing the head coach.

The obvious question is the replacement. Whomever it is - it is a key that they don't have the fear of dressing a player for fear he'll make a mistake at a critical time in a game. And, that they understand there really is a real physical aspect to a winning team.

Is David Carle the man??

Tortorella gets the physical part not so much the youth mistakes part. Just, no more retreads… Tochett gets the physical part but has he become a retread?

When's the last time the NHL had a player coach?
- sufi-judge[Asking for a friend, of course]

I really dont think Torts or Tocchet are the guys FSG/Dubas would look to hire, especially Torts. He isnt very popular in the city, isnt known for developing young talent, and isnt a data driven guy.

I really dont think Torts or Tocchet are the guys FSG/Dubas would look to hire, especially Torts. He isnt very popular in the city, isnt known for developing young talent, and isnt a data driven guy.
- SuperHenderson13

Torts is an all vibes type of coach, and the vibes are usually bad.

Friedman saying what most already expected, Vancouver and Tocchet will part ways.

Wonder if Vancouver, with Rutherford at the helm, would make an attempt for Sullivan. Dont see him going out west though.

Its been reported 5 teams have already inquired about Sullivan. What a damn shame we arent allowed to trade staff members. Easily could've gotten a pick or two for him.

A little research, answered my own Q:

• Dubas and Tocchet both worked for Team Canada during the 4 Nations Face-Off. Dubas, who is the general manager of Team Canada at the upcoming World Championships in Sweden, recently stated on a podcast that he was hopeful Tocchet would be interested in coaching Canada in Sweden (he turned down the offer, citing his uncertain situation in Vancouver).
- j.boyd919

Anybody with a brain would steer clear of Dubas.
Horrific manager and lives in la la land

Anybody with a brain would steer clear of Dubas.
Horrific manager and lives in la la land
- optimus-reim

What's your take on the horrific job that Stevie Y has done in Detroit? Seems like they're stuck in purgatory.

Stop trying to make Flip Hallander happen. It’s not going to happen.
- Victoro311

Why? By all accounts he has matured as a player, was second in his league in scoring, is still just 24, and actually backchecks. I'm interested to see what he does in camp.

Lots of failures of high scorers from Europe coming over, but every now and then one hits as a player.

I thought more about this situation and boy has Dubas taken a big risk. Sullivan, despite his flaws and the team's shortcomings, was a very popular coach inside the locker room and in Pittsburgh in general. Dubas could easily have slow cooked these last few years, maybe catch lightning in a bottle, but otherwise, more towards the end of the Malkin/Letang era quietly and without much good or bad.

I think there is a very real possibility next year is Malkin's last year and a not so distant chance its Letang's last year as well despite him having several more years left. Neither player is aging very well and Letang especially looks to be rapidly declining. Its weird saying that about Geno since he still put up 50 points in 68 games, but in reality, he is only going to decline. Not sure either one of them are the types to play until the wheels fall off.

If Dubas got the sense this would be their last year, then I would've held off on firing Sullivan for one more year. Having a new coach, especially if he favors a younger/less experienced option, come into this situation with older hall of fame players and a bunch of kids, is a difficult line to walk.

And DK mentioned in his article that Dubas ruled out MacDonald for the coaching job. Not sure if that is speculation by DK or if Dubas said it behind the scenes because I dont recall him saying it in his presser.
- SuperHenderson13

(frank) all your feelings. Sullivan should have been fired 2020 by the latest.

Torts is an all vibes type of coach, and the vibes are usually bad.
- Victoro311

Judging from a lot of data of former players Torts vibes as a coach are great. Brandon’s Saad and Sean Avery are the only two I’ve ever heard speak poorly of him.

Why? By all accounts he has matured as a player, was second in his league in scoring, is still just 24, and actually backchecks. I'm interested to see what he does in camp.

Lots of failures of high scorers from Europe coming over, but every now and then one hits as a player.
- Tojo.

Swedish Poulin.

He lost the game for Tampa not being able to clear the puck. Good scorer. Not a great player. Career scoring role player.
- Grinder47

I never liked Jake on the ice when the Pens were trying to close out a game with an empty net. I always felt Sully was dumb for having him out there. Same reason I would never have him kill penalties. That being said, he's as tough as it gets for a slightly built player. He's takes a ton of abuse trying to score goals and doesn't shy away from it. His role is top line wing on most teams in the NHL.

Why? By all accounts he has matured as a player, was second in his league in scoring, is still just 24, and actually backchecks. I'm interested to see what he does in camp.

Lots of failures of high scorers from Europe coming over, but every now and then one hits as a player.
- Tojo.

Yep. It's a no brainer cause we have so few prospects. Decent size. I'm sure they've been watching him. Let's see what he's got. Only 2 years at 775k.

Swedish Poulin.
- Victoro311

Lol no. Hallander has never been a favorite of mine, but he could still wind up as a bottom 6. Might have even made it by now if he hasn't gone home 2 years ago.