The Pittsburgh Penguins: last in the *East* after *9* games.

[1point21Gigawatts]

Hypothetical: If this year is a bust for the pens (way too early to even think about calling it that), has Dubas backed himself into a corner with any of his moves/signings? Or if he needs to do a hard rebuild, will he have that option?

 

[Gurglesons]

Hypothetical: If this year is a bust for the pens (way too early to even think about calling it that), has Dubas backed himself into a corner with any of his moves/signings? Or if he needs to do a hard rebuild, will he have that option?

If this year is a bust, I bet they try to win next year again.

The contract situations do not allow us to rebuild.

Unless of course Malkin, Sid, and Letang ask out. Which I doubt they ever do.

 

[1point21Gigawatts]

If this year is a bust, I bet they try to win next year again.

The contract situations do not allow us to rebuild.

Unless of course Malkin, Sid, and Letang ask out. Which I doubt they ever do.

 

[Luigi Lemieux]

Hypothetical: If this year is a bust for the pens (way too early to even think about calling it that), has Dubas backed himself into a corner with any of his moves/signings? Or if he needs to do a hard rebuild, will he have that option?

FSG didn't bring him in to fire him if he can't get a geriatric team a cup. He's their guy, they want him for the rebuild. This was one last kick at the can for this core. It's looking like it's over, the bottom was due to fall out any time. But I think we'll see Sullivan booted for one last hail mary. If they don't improve, you might see the rebuilding moves start to go in motion.

 

[LOFIN]

Hypothetical: If this year is a bust for the pens (way too early to even think about calling it that), has Dubas backed himself into a corner with any of his moves/signings? Or if he needs to do a hard rebuild, will he have that option?

Pens were always going for a hard rebuild in a few years. And no, having 1 or 2 years of Karlsson won't change that.

 

[Gurglesons]

I guarantee if Mike Sullivan is fired this team goes on a win streak to get back into the playoffs.

It's absurd that they've employed a coach for 9 seasons that has one playoff win in 7 of them.

 

[1point21Gigawatts]

FSG didn't bring him in to fire him if he can't get a geriatric team a cup. He's their guy, they want him for the rebuild. This was one last kick at the can for this core. It's looking like it's over, the bottom was due to fall out any time. But I think we'll see Sullivan booted for one last hail mary. If they don't improve, you might see the rebuilding moves start to go in motion.

Oh, i wouldn't think Dubas' job is in jeopardy. Certainly i would expect that Sullivan is on the hot seat soon, if not already.

 

[Joeyjoejoe]

Can Mike Sullivan even get fired now since he's somewhat part of management?

 

[MilkofthePoppy]

I can really feel the pain of 1967 with each post added to this thread that is not related to the Penguins at all. Must suck.

1967, 2017... who gives a shit if you aren't the reigning and defending champions?

 

[BallardEra]

Pens don't play again til Saturday. Lots of time for Dubas to think about coaching decision

I get the feeling he has very little say on that.

Looks like Pens ownership loves Sullivan and the only way he goes is if the Pens keep losing and they have no other choice but to fire him.

 

[SeanMoneyHands]

They need time to gel, miracles don't happen overnight.

 

[Fatass]

That "coach" is the numbers 1,2,4 & 6 reasons that the Penguins are in the muck that they're in.

thanks

Isn’t that the same coach who was there winning two Cups? Plus, Crosby and the leadership group on the Pens will be insisting all the guys play the right way. EK is a great player. He will figure it out.

 

[AD1066]

FSG didn't bring him in to fire him if he can't get a geriatric team a cup. He's their guy, they want him for the rebuild. This was one last kick at the can for this core. It's looking like it's over, the bottom was due to fall out any time. But I think we'll see Sullivan booted for one last hail mary. If they don't improve, you might see the rebuilding moves start to go in motion.

Getting rid of Sullivan seems like a mistake. He's one of the better coaches in the league IMO.

 

[1point21Gigawatts]

Getting rid of Sullivan seems like a mistake. He's one of the better coaches in the league IMO.

He is and his next team will be great (if and when it comes to that). Sometimes even great coaches lose the room. What's most likely is Dubas will have tried to do a fast retool this year and if that fails, he will opt for a rebuild at some point and Sully will say "nah, thanks" because he is too good for a tanking rebuild team.

 

[Coastal Kev]

Isn’t that the same coach who was there winning two Cups? Plus, Crosby and the leadership group on the Pens will be insisting all the guys play the right way. EK is a great player. He will figure it out.

You think he was the reason they won those cups?? He was a different voice in the room, but JR made 6-7 changes that is allot more responsible for their success.

 

[Fatass]

You think he was the reason they won those cups?? He was a different voice in the room, but JR made 6-7 changes that is allot more responsible for their success.

Yes, JR made a lot of very good moves. But those two Cups did coincide with the coach coming in too. Their issues now aren’t because of the coach. They are an experienced club. They will figure it out. And if they don’t, then the drama will get worse.

 

[WarriorofTime]

I doubt firing the coach does anything. It’s a top heavy roster as assembled and the top is old and can’t carry much these days.

 

[Tripledeke333]

Good lord people just want to hate on Dubas. This is not a problem created by him. This team has been dead in the water with Sullivan for years now. They are old and the coach can't adjust his system at all to account for it.

Dubas went into full blow buy mode to get Karlson with his old team in decline. If Dubas did not think the team could compete he should not be buying. It’s the job of Dubas to select the coach.

I swear, Dubas is the biggest fraud in the world and so many people rush to defend him.

 

[Peasy]

Dubas went into full blow buy mode to get Karlson with his old team in decline. If Dubas did not think the team could compete he should not be buying. It’s the job of Dubas to select the coach.

I swear, Dubas is the biggest fraud in the world and so many people rush to defend him.

Hes a good talker, but an average gm. Hes nothing special, but he can do a good job convincing you that he is. Once the mist wears off you see the real thing. He has a lot of weaknesses and blind spots as a gm (just like practically every other gm). His ways have shown to not have much success, yet hes doin the same stuff in Pitts that he did in Toronto.

I remember when he was first named gm in Toronto and all the media would go on about how much out of the box thinker he is, how hes really good at finding undervalued players etc. But by the end of his tenure, none of that really ever seemed to happen lol. He had some decent moves, but also a lot of blunders.

 

[Luigi Lemieux]

Getting rid of Sullivan seems like a mistake. He's one of the better coaches in the league IMO.

He's a good coach but not for this team. He's gone stale here and it's an old team that can't play his up tempo system anymore. He'd be good for a young fast team looking to get over the hump.

 

[Leaf Fans]

I can really feel the pain of 1967 with each post added to this thread that is not related to the Penguins at all. Must suck.

You are the one who feels pain. Does it suck.

 

[TooManyHumans]

Dubas went into full blow buy mode to get Karlson with his old team in decline. If Dubas did not think the team could compete he should not be buying. It’s the job of Dubas to select the coach.

I swear, Dubas is the biggest fraud in the world and so many people rush to defend him.

He hasn't been in Pittsburgh long enough to do much and is not free to do whatever the heck he wants to do anyway given the core. Anyone deciding that he has already failed in Pittsburgh came into this with a massive agenda.

 

[CharasLazyWrister]

9 games in, my “hot take” opinion that they wouldn’t actually be a good team this year is right on the money. This isn’t the NBA. You can’t just fetch a big name superstar at the end of his useful life and be catapulted to the top of the league. Especially when your depth scoring, defense and goaltending are all unaddressed issues.

So selfishly, I’d like them to continue to be terrible so I can have eternal HF bragging rights. The third or fourth most important thing in my life.

 

[BallardEra]

”No matter how low the Penguins sink in the standings this season, I’d be extremely surprised if Sullivan were fired by Kyle Dubas. Ownership is quite enamored with Sullivan. I sense that Dubas holds him in high regard. Crosby, Malkin and Kris Letang have made it very clear that they aren’t interested in playing for any other head coach.”

”Dubas has only so much leverage because of all the no-trade clauses on his roster. Still, if the Penguins have a bad trip in California, I have to think a move from Dubas is a possibility. He can’t let this go on for much longer. It’s early, sure. But this team would appear to be in serious trouble. There isn’t just one problem. And that is the biggest problem of all.”

Yohe's 10 observations: Penguins endure shocking last-second loss as swoon continues

The Penguins could be in serious trouble after an embarrassing 4-3 loss at home to the Ducks.

theathletic.com

 

[Hockey4Lyfe]

Honestly, it may be the best possible outcome for the Penguins. They are too old to win and this all may force the starting of the rebuild a couple years before planned.

They have a bunch on NTC’s but really no horrific contracts like some other aging teams. They have a few that can fetch a bunch at the deadline if this play continues.

Hopefully they start taking offers instead of trying to stay afloat.