But really though... with Kingerski all but confirming that the team's DZ setup is seriously "just figure it out" -- what does this coaching staff DO? Dave Quinn is "coaching the defensemen" -- to do what, exactly? Grow sweet mustaches? We all know Mike Sullivan checked out like 5+ years ago and is basically just trying out new ties in front of a live audience these days. So like... where does all this loyalty and unfettered ballwashing even come from?
This is a professional sports team with guys making millions of dollars and they are actively coaching the defense (which has been a horrible issue for years and well worth tweaking to get better) to just... go out there and give 'em hell. That's insane to me.
I think two things are true:
1. The Penguins do run a defensive system that requires high IQ and awareness, which is why some players haven't adapted well. Some players have even talked about it, saying that it just takes some time to adjust and that communication is key.
I think the biggest issue is less the system and more its rigidity. Teams have figured it out. Every system has holes. The best teams find ways to be flexible to adapt against certain opponents, something Sullivan used to do. We're not seeing that now.
2. Kingerski doesn't know shit about systems, so anything he writes about players not Sullivan's system is absolutely worthless.
