Here come two more big games … but must-wins? Again?
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16 Comments
Trade Graves and Rankell
😶
Can’t trade players other teams don’t want. Only person you can trade for something is guentzel. If I was the GM my mission would be to keep Crosby and that’s about it. Of course sid would have to approve of the changes or fall in line
I'm going to say the unpopular thing: I hold Sid responsible. Because for all the superlative things he does, including trying to set the example for all others to follow, I have never once for the entirety of his career, heard of him calling out other players. Granted, that's not who he appears to be by all accounts, but he's the one wearing the captain's C.
It's not one individuals fault? No it isn't. It's a collective effort. But that doesn't mean changing out the coach and those players that aren't preforming won't help. If it won't then why even care? They've reached the point that something/anything different needs to be tried. They've changed out the ancillary parts of the roster a couple times now since 2018, brought in two new GM's and things have only gotten worse. There's a overarching problem here that just won't go away, and the only two constants surrounding it are the head coach, and the core.
Honestly, we should just call this daily shot of mediocre. Lol
I hope Jake will sign before the trade deadline. Hope we can work something out for Sid.
The Jets thing is interesting. So you're saying OTHER teams play different depending on who they're playing? That is illegal in Sullivanland. And that's why they're mediocre and why players are, for lack of a better word, bored.
I know it’s easier said than done, but where is the sense of urgency? Where is the panic that this could be “it” for this core? I think a little panic could be good. They just seem complacent and trot out the same tired philosophy. Why does Mike Sullivan get such a massive leash? He hasn’t won a playoff round in many years and is trending toward missing again despite relatively decent player health.
I’m getting a similar feeling to last year when we just assumed the underlying 5 on 5 metrics would take over, they would start finishing, and they’d win games. That wasn’t the case. It never happened and they blew it against the Blackhawks AHL team – a team that was tanking. The team just seems so calm like it’s okay we will get it going soon and everything is fine.
I don’t doubt that they want to win, I just think they’re not hungry enough to play Sullivan’s system consistently. When they execute and players play to their potential, the results are encouraging. For a team full of cup winning veterans and HoFers, the lack of consistency is baffling. I’d love to know why they can’t produce consistent results? Would love an answer to that.
Why are people so scared of free agency? Is it the Jager curse? Sometimes I think it's like trading your nice car for one of the last two used ones on the lot. Can't you be better off if you just say, thank you for your service, then find something new down the road?
Your example with Geno is wrong. Geno was trying to pass the puck last game but the rest of the players stood still and didn’t get open for him. That was not his fault. He clearly can’t move well and he’s injured. Geno did change his game and he’s been defending much better. His skating has been labored and yes, it is all about the skating for him
Never liked the idea of a coaching change but I think now is the time. Sully's system was awesome 7 years ago when we had fresh legs and a lot of speed & skill. This team needs to adapt a less risky system that emphasizes the teams skill which is puck possession
I’d never say never. Jake might not even wanna stay. With all these bad contracts this team is more than likely gonna be at the bottom of the pile over the next 5 years or so. Start the rebuild now. Everyone is expendable except 87
DK, if it’s not the coaching, why do the coaches of the leagues top teams have perennial winning seasons with hard working squads with relatively similar players. They know how to get the most from their players. They can identify problems and deal with them effectively. Just don’t see it with this staff. They seemingly have no clue how to debug these problems. Like Sully but he’s just not getting it done.
I;ve been a big fan of Sullivan since he came here, but I do really think his system just cant work anymore. The game is changing and the Pens are now officially old…and slower..and weaker. I blame the Sullivan system, which is the reason for the player composition. The player composition flaws are exposed when the Pens get in the first round of the playoffs. Been this way for a long time now. Other teams dont fear the Pens any more…they can keep up, dont have to worry much about taking penalties, and kinda get the night off because they arent going to be hit very hard. The last Vancouver game was a good example..I dont think the Pens coould have played better with the players they have and goaltending was great..that should be good for a win on most any night against one of the best teams.
This phrase “must win” is now past due. They are showing who they are and it’s not a winner.