Penguins firing may help push them into playoffs.

EVincent · Feb 16, 2009

As long as Shero is able to make a few deals at the deadline to help out.

I like MT, but his routine had gotten really old with a lot of the players according to my source inside the organization.

Many hated playing for him & some just couldnt stand him anymore, especially some of the bigger names on the team. I think this is the true underlying reason why he got fired.......the struggles this season gave Shero an out & the loss vs Toronto was a grapefruit that Shero could smack out of the park & he did.

Personally, I feel a lot of the blame should fall on Shero's shoulders because if you look at the losses in the offseason compared to what was adeed, it isnt even close. They put all their chips on signing Hossa & let Malone go which has been a bad loss this season.

I just think that getting MT's negativity out of the clubhouse will be a breath of fresh air for these young players.........hopefully this new guy is a better communicator & a lot more resonable with his work ethic/discipline. If he is, and Shero completes a deal or two in the weeks ahead, the Pens might be able to make a run to get in. I just dont expect a long run in the playoffs if they do get in. Too many holes to fill right now.

SkateSharpener · Feb 16, 2009

Keep dreaming Pens fans

jdigae01 · Feb 16, 2009

i mean that loss today to the isles was just pathetic.

i mean you get blown out against the Leafs and follow it up with this performance? geesh.

2las · Feb 16, 2009

yep their done, stick a fork in them. If you lose 3 times to the leafs you flat out suck.

RedLamp · Feb 17, 2009

jdigae01 said:
i mean that loss today to the isles was just pathetic.

i mean you get blown out against the Leafs and follow it up with this performance? geesh.

Flyers fan's propaganda

PassTheBuck · Feb 17, 2009

Has anyone seen the NHL standings?

There are a total 4 (maybe 5 if you include Ottawa) teams that are done...

The Penguins are 6 points out of 8th, 7th, 6th and 5th. All they have to do is put together a few wins, and have one of these teams (two of which are fading faster than the Pens) falter, and they are back in it.

They are as much out of it as everyone said the Canucks were two weeks ago. They are as much out of it as the Los Angeles Kings.

While it will be hard the way they are playing, they now have both Whitney and Gonchar for the first time all season. There is no way they are out of it

Slickwitdadick · Feb 17, 2009

the sens lost their first game and now look at the run they are on

both teams had players to fill 1 good line and the depth was questioned

so lets hold off for a couple games. but there is no doubt the pens need a trade imo.

PassTheBuck · Feb 21, 2009

SkateSharpener said:
Keep dreaming Pens fans

2 points out of 8th & 7th
3 points out of 6th
4 points out of 5th

22 games left.

They are in the race as much as anyone... not saying they are gonna make it, but they are definitely a player now.

Furthermore, if you believe in conspiracies, you must think that the NHL/NBC/Versus will want to get them into the playoffs... perhaps the #7 seed (with Washington at #2).

Bushay · Feb 21, 2009

I think the Pans have way too much talent to be considered out of it right now. Especially with Therrian gone now and Gonchar back in the lineup. And it looks like it showed this afternoon already.

VegasVic · Feb 21, 2009

Bushay said:
I think the Pans have way too much talent to be considered out of it right now. Especially with Therrian gone now and Gonchar back in the lineup. And it looks like it showed this afternoon already.

Where was this post 2 games ago? On the other hand, tip of the cap to PTB who was the only one to defend the Pens 4 short days ago.

I think they are still suspect. Coaching change has allowed them to open up their offense but they remain a bad defensive team. If Biron wasn't in net today Pens would never have got 2 points.

SkateSharpener · Feb 21, 2009

Bushay said:
I think the Pans have way too much talent to be considered out of it right now. Especially with Therrian gone now and Gonchar back in the lineup. And it looks like it showed this afternoon already.

Pens have "way too much talent" huh?

I may be blind but I could have sworn Malkin and Crosby ONLY is not "way too much talent" as a team

jdigae01 · Feb 21, 2009

yeah i mean rusty fedetenko is just a monster isnt he?? LOL

the penguins still have a shot no doubt, but they are going no where.

Bushay · Feb 21, 2009

SkateSharpener said:
Pens have "way too much talent" huh?

I may be blind but I could have sworn Malkin and Crosby ONLY is not "way too much talent" as a team

Gonchar's one of the top 5-6 defencemen in the league when healthy, Fluery was a no.1 overall pick. Orpik single handedly was a beast in the playoffs last season. Sykora has a ring. I didn't say they were in a position to win the cup. But if Shero were to swing a trade like their talking of late sending Whitney for a decent winger to play with Crosby....with Gonchar back and a new coach with some fresh ideas..... there's still a lot of guys on that team that went to the finals. It's not that far fetched believing they can not only make the playoffs, but win a round as well. The East is weak.

Bushay · Feb 21, 2009

VegasVic said:
Where was this post 2 games ago?

Sorry, i just looked at this thread for the first time today.

SkateSharpener · Feb 21, 2009

Bushay said:
Gonchar's one of the top 5-6 defencemen in the league when healthy, Fluery was a no.1 overall pick. Orpik single handedly was a beast in the playoffs last season. Sykora has a ring. I didn't say they were in a position to win the cup. But if Shero were to swing a trade like their talking of late sending Whitney for a decent winger to play with Crosby....with Gonchar back and a new coach with some fresh ideas..... there's still a lot of guys on that team that went to the finals. It's not that far fetched believing they can not only make the playoffs, but win a round as well. The East is weak.

I know what you are saying however its pretty much Malkin and Crobsy and thats it IMO. If this was the case they wouldnt be where they are in the standings right now if they "had too much talent" as you say. I dont believe for one second with Gonchar in the line up they would have been a whole lot better. A bit better yes but not much. Also dont know if you heard the stat that if the Pens dont make the playoffs and Malkin and Crosby finish the year 1 and 2 in points it will be the first time this has happened since the 1949-1950 Blackhawks. I bet there wasnt too much other talent on that Hawks team that year just like other than Crosby and Malkin there isnt this year either. That was my point.

PassTheBuck · Feb 21, 2009

SkateSharpener said:
I know what you are saying however its pretty much Malkin and Crobsy and thats it IMO. If this was the case they wouldnt be where they are in the standings right now if they "had too much talent" as you say. I dont believe for one second with Gonchar in the line up they would have been a whole lot better. A bit better yes but not much. Also dont know if you heard the stat that if the Pens dont make the playoffs and Malkin and Crosby finish the year 1 and 2 in points it will be the first time this has happened since the 1949-1950 Blackhawks. I bet there wasnt too much other talent on that Hawks team that year just like other than Crosby and Malkin there isnt this year either. That was my point.

I have no idea where you got that stat, but the Detroit Red Wings trio of Ted Lindsay, Sid Abel and Gordie Howe were 1-2-3 in NHL scoring, leading the Red Wings to a 1st overall finish in the 1949-50 Regular Season.

VegasVic · Feb 21, 2009

SkateSharpener said:
I know what you are saying however its pretty much Malkin and Crobsy and thats it IMO. If this was the case they wouldnt be where they are in the standings right now if they "had too much talent" as you say. I dont believe for one second with Gonchar in the line up they would have been a whole lot better. A bit better yes but not much. Also dont know if you heard the stat that if the Pens dont make the playoffs and Malkin and Crosby finish the year 1 and 2 in points it will be the first time this has happened since the 1949-1950 Blackhawks. I bet there wasnt too much other talent on that Hawks team that year just like other than Crosby and Malkin there isnt this year either. That was my point.

I had to look this one up...

For the record:
Chicago finished last, (six team league), in 1949-50. League leaders in points were Ted Lindsey, (78), Sid Abel, (69), and Gordie Howe, (68).

The year before the Hawks finished 5th, (only top four teams make the playoffs), and had the top two finishers in points. Roy Conacher, (68), and Doug Bentley, (66).

VegasVic · Feb 21, 2009

...actually it will be exactly 60 years if it happens again.

SkateSharpener · Feb 22, 2009

VegasVic said:
I had to look this one up...

For the record:
Chicago finished last, (six team league), in 1949-50. League leaders in points were Ted Lindsey, (78), Sid Abel, (69), and Gordie Howe, (68).

The year before the Hawks finished 5th, (only top four teams make the playoffs), and had the top two finishers in points. Roy Conacher, (68), and Doug Bentley, (66).

I read it in SI. I was a year off as you just corrected thanks

EVincent · Mar 1, 2009

5-1-1 since the firing....including a few without Crosby.

I like the emphasis on speed & the attacking the puck while on the penalty kill.

Their defense is still below average & Fleury has looked bad although maybe he is snapping out of it with back to back solid games.

I didnt say they were going to win the cup, just make the playoffs. Looks like the move has paid off so far.