This Pittsburgh Penguins Act is Getting Old

[Honour Over Glory]

I think he's gone if the Pens lose again tonight.

I was at the Pens game when a bloke threw a jersey on the ice and Dumoulin handed it back, then the next day Boudreau was fired.

Let it be our turn damn it, fittingly against the same team.

 

[DickSmehlik]

In any case, should be interesting if Sullivan is fired, what a different coach could do with this roster.

Spoiler alert.

Not a whole lot with that roster.

 

[BallardEra]

Pens are now #1 in shots allowed per game and #2 in GAA.

Sullivan has to go at this point.

They need a new voice, direction and playing style.

 

[Stickpucker]

The battle of PA is still alive and well as they battle for the bottom of the metro.

 

[Empoleon8771]

It’s astounding that this team is still riding with Sullivan behind the bench. But you know nothing will cause him to be fired. He’s going to be the US Olympic coach in 2026, how can you possibly fire that kind of guy?!?!?!?

This roster is super mediocre but it’s better than how it has performed this year.

 

[brentashton]

It’s astounding that this team is still riding with Sullivan behind the bench. But you know nothing will cause him to be fired. He’s going to be the US Olympic coach in 2026, how can you possibly fire that kind of guy?!?!?!?

This roster is super mediocre but it’s better than how it has performed this year.

I don’t watch them a lot, but watched the game vs Edmonton last night and I gotta say, there is something very wrong with that team. Goaltending aside, there is still some good talent on the team but it sure doesnt show.

 

[Frank Drebin]

Pens weren’t dominant for 20 years where is that number coming from?

Probably a touch less than 15, starting in 06-07 and ending somewhere around the Covid years

 

[Fatass]

Pens are now #1 in shots allowed per game and #2 in GAA.

Sullivan has to go at this point.

They need a new voice, direction and playing style.

It’s likely Dubas tries playing the “change the coach” card but in reality their club is too old. They play slow. Should have started a deep rebuild when Dubas came. Don’t resign any old guy except Sid. Move on. Their era of winning, which was great, is past. Hopefully the fans there will support the club during the rebuild. They didn’t before.

 

[Luigi Lemieux]

Pens weren’t dominant for 20 years where is that number coming from?

Probably a touch less than 15, starting in 06-07 and ending somewhere around the Covid years

06-07 to 21-22. 16 consecutive playoff appearances.

 

[Frank Drebin]

06-07 to 21-22. 16 consecutive playoff appearances.

so 16 years?

 

[Luigi Lemieux]

so 16 years?

Yes. I agree that it's not 20

 

[Duffy13]

so 16 years?

Stanley Cup appearances count as a + season, so 4 Cup finals + 16 playoff appearances = 20

What are you? Basic?

 

[Frank Drebin]

Stanley Cup appearances count as a + season, so 4 Cup finals + 16 playoff appearances = 20

What are you? Basic?

I'm definitely below average IQ

 

[Duffy13]

I'm definitely below average IQ

The mental gymnastics I had to go through to get to 20 was exhausting haha

 

[nturn06]

I don’t watch them a lot, but watched the game vs Edmonton last night and I gotta say, there is something very wrong with that team. Goaltending aside, there is still some good talent on the team but it sure doesnt show.

To me it really looks like a typicall Dubas build team: it is build by adding as many big name players as possible, no matter if it is cohesive or can defend. Firing the coach will do little.

 

[WarriorofTime]

Between prospects that could be part of something, players on ELC to keep an eye on and RFAs with potential trade value, there’s really nothing there. With that lack of foundation, any sort of “proper” rebuild is going to take a while. Realistically looking at players born 2007-2010 at the earliest to be the significant pieces of any future contending efforts in terms of window.

 

[Empoleon8771]

To me it really looks like a typicall Dubas build team: it is build by adding as many big name players as possible, no matter if it is cohesive or can defend. Firing the coach will do little.

Spoken like someone who hasn't watched a Penguins game in years.

The defense this year is identical to the defense from last year, just with Joseph and Ruhwedel swapped out for Grzelcyk and St. Ivany. The defensemen on this team aren't good, but the team is horrendous defensively because of the system Sullivan is running, not because of the defense.

https://x.com/i/web/status/1850129722597937400

The team simply doesn't have the personnel to run the system Sullivan has been forcing this team to run for the past few years. Good coaches make systems that work with the players that they have, they don't just run the same system and then pout because it's not working due to the players not being good fits for it.

 

[Duffy13]

Between prospects that could be part of something, players on ELC to keep an eye on and RFAs with potential trade value, there’s really nothing there. With that lack of foundation, any sort of “proper” rebuild is going to take a while. Realistically looking at players born 2007-2010 at the earliest to be the significant pieces of any future contending efforts in terms of window.

Dude, don't worry, we're going for Gavin

 

[Fatass]

Spoken like someone who hasn't watched a Penguins game in years.

The defense this year is identical to the defense from last year, just with Joseph and Ruhwedel swapped out for Grzelcyk and St. Ivany. The defensemen on this team aren't good, but the team is horrendous defensively because of the system Sullivan is running, not because of the defense.

https://x.com/i/web/status/1850129722597937400

The team simply doesn't have the personnel to run the system Sullivan has been forcing this team to run for the past few years. Good coaches make systems that work with the players that they have, they don't just run the same system and then pout because it's not working due to the players not being good fits for it.

That system won two Cups. What system has this current roster be competitive?

 

[Empoleon8771]

That system won two Cups. What system has this current roster be competitive?

The system won 2 cups nearly a decade ago when Crosby and Malkin were in their 20s. Even taking out that obvious factor, there is no way that a team can win the same way 10 years ago as today. The game is constantly evolving and new strategies need to be implemented.

 

[Fatass]

The system won 2 cups nearly a decade ago when Crosby and Malkin were in their 20s. Even taking out that obvious factor, there is no way that a team can win the same way 10 years ago as today. The game is constantly evolving and new strategies need to be implemented.

So which systems/strategies will help this old and slow core compete in a young, fast league?
Imo the Pens needed to rebuild instead of trading for EK. Now they’re kind of stuck with this old core that’s most likely to get them into drafting 10-15. That’s not the best when needing young elite talent to rebuild a new core.

 

[WarriorofTime]

Dude, don't worry, we're going for Gavin

Assuming they actually tank next year, and then still obviously no guarantee as even last place only has a 25 % chance.

 

[Empoleon8771]

So which systems/strategies will help this old and slow core compete in a young, fast league?
Imo the Pens needed to rebuild instead of trading for EK. Now they’re kind of stuck with this old core that’s most likely to get them into drafting 10-15. That’s not the best when needing young elite talent to rebuild a new core.

I agree with you on the rebuild, but they need to run a trap based 1-3-1 or 1-2-2 that has them capitalizing on errors from other teams and winning the special teams battle. Negate out the speed disadvantage they have on younger teams by clogging up the middle of the ice.