News Article: Rutherford and Johnston are staying. Both of them.

[Sideline]

No decisions have been made. None.

I don't know what DK is being told, and frankly, I don't care. There are things being discussed. No decisions will be made until the playoffs are over and some moving parts stop moving.

 

[tom_servo]

I was getting really hyped up for the Bill Guerin regime.

 

[Jaded-Fan]

Sadly, but realistically, that happens with a lot of companies, too. Actions must match words. Organizational culture 101. Common sense is greater than anything.

If anything our organization runs this place like a ****ing company. Not even a bad one. A good one. But as Jim Collins wrote in one of the best books I've ever read: "Good is the enemy of great." Pens are okay with selling tickets, being marketable, and being good. It's the enemy of what is holding them back from being great and a lot of it is ignored common sense.

 

[Crosberry87]

Don't know if anyone posted this but thescore.com is also reporting no changes.

 

[billybudd]

Yeah I mean it's a bad sign he said that but people need to stop getting so riled up over quotes. If they talk it over over the next week or two and decide in the end to fire JR, does anyone really think Morehouse will give a crap that he gave that quote? Come on. Plus everything is semantics with these interviews. Sure they can say they "have never given a thought" to firing him...........up to the point where Morehouse said that.

It's the same as the old "I'd love to come back and play here if I can", just more subtle.

Even that's a lie, though. It's the same game he played with DB. "We think he's a good coach and we'll keep him unless the new GM says otherwise." An hour later, Burkle slips in an interview and says they should have fired DB a year before they did. A month later, Jr said the owners told him firing Bylsma was a precondition of the job.

Frankly, I don't know if Morehouse's job is even safe. When an exec's right-hand man disappears in a year where costs go up and revenue falls, that's usually a bad indicator for the exec.

 

[Dinfire]

I know that it's the day after elimination, but many of you need to come down off the ledge. You sound like crazy people.

Regardless of the result, the Penguins played harder this series than they have since the Cup year. I actually enjoyed rooting for them for a change. That is absolutely a reflection of the coach.

You guys talk about Rutherford as if you know what was going on behind the scenes. You have no clue.

Trading either Crosby or Malkin would be moronic for myriad reasons. It ain't happening. They gave the rags all they could handle basically missing their top four D and one of their two marquis players playing at god knows what percentage. If the refs hadn't basically given two games to the Rags who knows what could have happened.

To me, the Pens did turn a corner this season. They weren't winning the cup and they wouldn't have won it with Shero/Bylsma at the helm, either. This transition had to happen and it has begun.

No coach/GM is perfect. They're working with human beings, who are by design, imperfect. Yeah, the Lovejoy trade didn't work out. Yeah, players like Spaling were along for the ride. But this is year one of recovering from a dumpster fire. If they add a couple wingers in exchange for their overabundance of D men (and the team stays healthy) they have just as good a chance as any other team next year with the way they've changed their focus. These injuries can't keep happening like this. Eventually the law of averages is going to take over.

Let's go Pens!

 

[Jaded-Fan]

Just a thought though.

Under Cole's business organization comparison/evaluation Pens began failing this year. They had trouble selling playoff tickets. Those sold went for under face. Season ticket holder waiting lists are way down.

They lost a lot of money not getting out of round one, and came within a hair of missing the first round playoff ticket revenue. In a gate driven sport that is a big deal worth many tens of millions of dollars.

If nothing else will get the organizations attention those things will.

 

[Wolf Without a Howl]

No decisions have been made. None.

I don't know what DK is being told, and frankly, I don't care. There are things being discussed. No decisions will be made until the playoffs are over and some moving parts stop moving.

Are the things being discussed related to the front office/coaching staff, or the roster itself? Or both?

 

[Coastal Kev]

I know that it's the day after elimination, but many of you need to come down off the ledge. You sound like crazy people.

Regardless of the result, the Penguins played harder this series than they have since the Cup year. I actually enjoyed rooting for them for a change. That is absolutely a reflection of the coach.

You guys talk about Rutherford as if you know what was going on behind the scenes. You have no clue.

Trading either Crosby or Malkin would be moronic for myriad reasons. It ain't happening. They gave the rags all they could handle basically missing their top four D and one of their two marquis players playing at god knows what percentage. If the refs hadn't basically given two games to the Rags who knows what could have happened.

To me, the Pens did turn a corner this season. They weren't winning the cup and they wouldn't have won it with Shero/Bylsma at the helm, either. This transition had to happen and it has begun.

No coach/GM is perfect. They're working with human beings, who are by design, imperfect. Yeah, the Lovejoy trade didn't work out. Yeah, players like Spaling were along for the ride. But this is year one of recovering from a dumpster fire. If they add a couple wingers in exchange for their overabundance of D men (and the team stays healthy) they have just as good a chance as any other team next year with the way they've changed their focus. These injuries can't keep happening like this. Eventually the law of averages is going to take over.

Let's go Pens!

The Lovejoy trade was never, ever going to work out. If you don't understand this one fact, then you are just a fan who buys what your team is selling. Nothing wrong with that, since that's your choice. But don't come here and tell us that like to be a tad more involved with their team that we are crazy people. I find people who believe everything their told whether in school, at work or by the media to be the true crazies in our society.

 

[tom_servo]

I know that it's the day after elimination, but many of you need to come down off the ledge. You sound like crazy people.

Regardless of the result, the Penguins played harder this series than they have since the Cup year. I actually enjoyed rooting for them for a change. That is absolutely a reflection of the coach.

You guys talk about Rutherford as if you know what was going on behind the scenes. You have no clue.

Trading either Crosby or Malkin would be moronic for myriad reasons. It ain't happening. They gave the rags all they could handle basically missing their top four D and one of their two marquis players playing at god knows what percentage. If the refs hadn't basically given two games to the Rags who knows what could have happened.

To me, the Pens did turn a corner this season. They weren't winning the cup and they wouldn't have won it with Shero/Bylsma at the helm, either. This transition had to happen and it has begun.

No coach/GM is perfect. They're working with human beings, who are by design, imperfect. Yeah, the Lovejoy trade didn't work out. Yeah, players like Spaling were along for the ride. But this is year one of recovering from a dumpster fire. If they add a couple wingers in exchange for their overabundance of D men (and the team stays healthy) they have just as good a chance as any other team next year with the way they've changed their focus. These injuries can't keep happening like this. Eventually the law of averages is going to take over.

Let's go Pens!

I'm not going to dump on you for remaining positive. We still have some big chips in the game. However...

I don't think we turned a corner at all. I know we played hard against a team that finished way above us, or whatever, but why did they finish way above us? Halfway through, it looked like we might cruise to the top seed. This team collapsed hard, almost hard enough to not qualify, and that was before Letang's injury. 19th overall in scoring is ludicrous. No one saw that coming. The fact that we played that hard and could still only muster about a goal per game is tough to swallow. We'd never been out of the playoffs this early since Malkin was a rookie.

Also, there is no evident transition. The only new faces that contributed are either on one-year contracts, or cost us James Neal. Simon Despres was given away, we're forced into multiple buy-out candidates, and get to stay home at the draft once again. Talk about self-sabotage.

After last offseason's mea culpa to the fans, and this year's actions to the contrary, I'm worried.

 

[sexyllama]

I think believing it is bad business is the wrong way to go about things - especially with this team whose two best players are not spring chickens anymore. I like some moves JR made. I still like the Perron deal, the Cole deal, and the Lapierre deal. The Despres deal was bad, and the mismanagement of the cap at the end of the season was a ridiculous blunder. I'd call his 1st year in Pittsburgh a wash.

With that being said, it doesn't fall just on JR. Botterill has been called this cap genius for years, but it falls at his feet too. I'd personally like to see the whole front office - every single one of them - cleaned out.

I'm not entirely sure how I feel about Johnston. A part of me believes in being a new coach, he was dealt a rough hand with all the injuries. I do believe he falls into a Bylsma mold, especially when it comes to Perron. Perron has come out and publicly said that when he is on his off wing, he needs to slow down. That is prime clue that you should never ever move him off his off wing.

I think Johnston's dislike of Downie is also unwarranted. He does stupid things, he needs to be controlled, and when he starts to get that crazy look, he needs to be sat. But in terms of a guy I didn't feel cheated by once this entire season - it was Steve Downie. The guy oozes heart, character, and passion. If he isn't brought back, I will be very disappointed. I think if you give him a real solid 3rd line center who is a big body that can make some room, Downie can be a 20 goal 3rd liner, and give you everything you want from a 3rd line winger.

I won't be heart broken either way, in regards to coaching and management. I'd definitely lean more towards cleaning everything out and starting over, especially if we can find a coach who can really put his stamp on this team, who is a grizzled veteran and has lead a collection of great players to success.

I just don't get this about every coach we bring in and then Bennett then Perron (Iggy)

I have no idea why we spend a first round pick then won't even try a player at their natural position. I'm not the biggest fan of Perron but at least give him a chance to show what he can do on his natural side.

 

[KIRK]

Yeah, there is waaaaay too much love for coach Johnston on this board. And I continue to believe that's mostly because he was the guy we hired after Bylsma. So there's blind faith in him based on his predecessor.

Which is not unlike how we felt about Disco Dan after Therrien lost the collective group. The difference is we actually won something in Disco's early days.

Yeah, I don't get this whole 'I'm fine with Johnston staying'. Look, nice guy, capable assistant, but, again, at long last, isn't it about time Sid and Geno get a coach worthy of their talents?

 

[DegenX]

Even that's a lie, though. It's the same game he played with DB. "We think he's a good coach and we'll keep him unless the new GM says otherwise." An hour later, Burkle slips in an interview and says they should have fired DB a year before they did. A month later, Jr said the owners told him firing Bylsma was a precondition of the job.

Frankly, I don't know if Morehouse's job is even safe. When an exec's right-hand man disappears in a year where costs go up and revenue falls, that's usually a bad indicator for the exec.

It shouldn't be. Too many coincidences between Morehouse's power in the organization increasing and 'the brand' looking less like a hockey team and more like a boy band.

 

[KIRK]

I don't think anything is set in stone, despite what DK is reporting.

Insider info?

An IC71 or an IC87 rumor to report?

I was getting really hyped up for the Bill Guerin regime.

Thanks.

 

[KIRK]

There is a distinct difference with a "company" like the Pens, however. Generally most businesses can be broken down into the product/service sectors, or both. Employees, in most cases, are interchangeable. Most people are just part of the cog. These employees can switch companies, retire, be laid off, etc and the co. line stays in the black, assuming its a well run org.

The Pens "brand" relies on Crosby and Malkin to push sales and meet their margins. So while the "company" may be happy with just being good, the two star employees have their own individual legacies to be concerned with.

If this org doesn't change it's ways and finally build around these guys properly, their "brand" will be playing for another team. And we both know how fast the bandwagon fans will fall off without their star power.

It's kind of ironic. The only thing that could save this organization from itself would be Sid and/or Geno saying 'enough is enough', but at that point I'm not sure a situation like that would be reparable.

 

[Cherpak]

Yeah, I don't get this whole 'I'm fine with Johnston staying'. Look, nice guy, capable assistant, but, again, at long last, isn't it about time Sid and Geno get a coach worthy of their talents?

Johnston played a system against the Rangers that isn't difficult, collapse everyone around the goal, block as many shots as possible, pray the blocked deflections don't find the back of the net, get to the blue line, dump and chase. Why he deserves any credit for this is beyond me. He is a long time juniors coach for a reason.

 

[td_ice]

It shouldn't be. Too many coincidences between Morehouse's power in the organization increasing and 'the brand' looking less like a hockey team and more like a boy band.

"David, thanks for helping us secure the political clout and grass roots support to get us a new arena. We really appreciate it. Hey, if you're not doing anything, you wanna run a hockey team? .......well yeah, I know you have no hockey background, but we really want to show our appreciation......Ok, sure, you think about it and get back to us."

 

[TNT87]

I know that it's the day after elimination, but many of you need to come down off the ledge. You sound like crazy people.

Regardless of the result, the Penguins played harder this series than they have since the Cup year. I actually enjoyed rooting for them for a change. That is absolutely a reflection of the coach.

You guys talk about Rutherford as if you know what was going on behind the scenes. You have no clue.

Trading either Crosby or Malkin would be moronic for myriad reasons. It ain't happening. They gave the rags all they could handle basically missing their top four D and one of their two marquis players playing at god knows what percentage. If the refs hadn't basically given two games to the Rags who knows what could have happened.

To me, the Pens did turn a corner this season. They weren't winning the cup and they wouldn't have won it with Shero/Bylsma at the helm, either. This transition had to happen and it has begun.

No coach/GM is perfect. They're working with human beings, who are by design, imperfect. Yeah, the Lovejoy trade didn't work out. Yeah, players like Spaling were along for the ride. But this is year one of recovering from a dumpster fire. If they add a couple wingers in exchange for their overabundance of D men (and the team stays healthy) they have just as good a chance as any other team next year with the way they've changed their focus. These injuries can't keep happening like this. Eventually the law of averages is going to take over.

Let's go Pens!

They did turn a corner. And another corner. And another corner. Another another corner going in circles. That's what they are doing.

 

[td_ice]

They did turn a corner. And another corner. And another corner. Another another corner going in circles. That's what they are doing.

Bingo.

 

[KIRK]

Johnston played a system against the Rangers that isn't difficult, collapse everyone around the goal, block as many shots as possible, pray the blocked deflections don't find the back of the net, get to the blue line, dump and chase. Why he deserves any credit for this is beyond me. He is a long time juniors coach for a reason.

I'll even grant that he's a capable assistant. But, you've got two ******* generational talents, and THAT is the best you can do for them.

Between that and the wingers and the general refusal to build around Sid and Geno . . . a pox on all of them, Mario included.

 

[Cherpak]

I'll even grant that he's a capable assistant. But, you've got two ******* generational talents, and THAT is the best you can do for them.

Between that and the wingers and the general refusal to build around Sid and Geno . . . a pox on all of them, Mario included.

I never thought in my wildest dreams that I would blame him for this crap organization but from Morehouse down to MJ he has to take some of the blame. I was baffled when he introduced JR as one of the best GMs in the game during that press conference.

 

[KIRK]

I never thought in my wildest dreams that I would blame him for this crap organization but from Morehouse down to MJ he has to take some of the blame. I was baffled when he introduced JR as one of the best GMs in the game during that press conference.

I say 'Mario included' because he's the guy who should know better. Or at least the guy you think who should know better.

 

[cassius]

Doesn't surprise me at all.

Whether you guys want to admit it or not, the Penguins are the Dallas Cowboys of the NHL. Decent team that consistently underachieves due to poor management. It ain't gonna change anytime soon too, so don't get your hopes up.

Mario is even worse than Jerry too

 

[Gooch]

The Pens did not score the last month and a half and in the playoffs. They were the least entertaining Penguin team I have watched since January. And you are willing to give him another year???

My god, if DB's last 3 months looked like MJ's did, his house would have been burnt to the ground last night.

I believe I stated one year isnt enough time to get a sense of how a coach really wants to coach. We don't know if he was doing that by necessity or that's the actual style that he wants to endorse. His style with Portland was not that so that is why I suspect it is not the style he wants.


Bylsma played a different style when he first took over as coach, then the next season he changed things and screwed the team up.

By the way, that ugly uninspiring boring play is what a lot of people were calling for and were angry about when Johnston was named coach. To be clear, I detest that style and I want exciting play from any of the sports teams I am interested in. I like offensive innovators and when Johnston was hired he was supposed to be that. I'll give him the benefit of the doubt of a mulligan season but next one he's gotta show what he has.

 

[Darth Vitale]

Morehouse is the CEO of the team right, so I'm inclined to take statements like that with some value, as opposed to unattributed Rossi BS. However, in the end he is a political operator. "Has never given any consideration" is not the same thing as "Does not intend to give any consideration" or "Has no intention of changing GM / Coach this summer". We all know that.

Still in a media cesspool of bullcrap and rumor, it's about the best thing we have to go on right now. And it would fit with this organization's delusional nature.