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Forums :: Blog World :: John Toperzer: Game Night: A light-hearted approach to Game 4
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MadCap2008
Washington Capitals
Location: Brambleton, VA
Joined: 06.02.2007

Jun 8 @ 9:13 AM ET
Trying to remember another series which was as shocking in the way it played out. Not suprised that the Bruins won, but for the Pens to be swept while scoring only 2 goals (and never having a lead) is difficult to comprehend. Although I think the problems run deeper than just him, it seems like Bylsma needs to go. Shero should shoulder some of the blame, though, because the way the team is constructed seems to be an issue.
Gunner Staal
Pittsburgh Penguins
Location: @gunnerstaal @Hockey_Hurts hoc, NY
Joined: 04.19.2007

Jun 8 @ 9:14 AM ET
Do you think a malkin or letang trade could be coming? I just can't see that happening but I guess you never know.
- NYI44


Malkin is a Penguin.

Letang and Fleury are the two high profile names to focus in on.
Orpik44
Pittsburgh Penguins
Location: Wooooo!Bring it on Flyer wussies!
Joined: 06.04.2011

Jun 8 @ 9:15 AM ET
Do you think a malkin or letang trade could be coming? I just can't see that happening but I guess you never know.
- NYI44

Malkin, never. Letang, maybe (more to yes than no). Before, we'd say signing Letang was about the money he'd request. Now we have question marks about his game.

Personally I'd keep him for anything under $6M...but that's just me. Some people want to see him gone, and I don't blame them.
Gunner Staal
Pittsburgh Penguins
Location: @gunnerstaal @Hockey_Hurts hoc, NY
Joined: 04.19.2007

Jun 8 @ 9:15 AM ET
I'm open to dicussion. If Dave Tippett is a good name, I trust you. I really like Bylsma as a person and some as a coach but his mistake was to be too stubborn as you said. He seems to believe his way is the right way and rarely adjusts. Unfortunately he'll pay for this.
- Orpik44


What if Shero in his discussions with Bylsma addresses that fact and the proper adjustments are made in that regard? What if Shero becomes a little more hands on about who dresses (Bennett, Despres scenarios)?
Gunner Staal
Pittsburgh Penguins
Location: @gunnerstaal @Hockey_Hurts hoc, NY
Joined: 04.19.2007

Jun 8 @ 9:18 AM ET
Trying to remember another series which was as shocking in the way it played out. Not suprised that the Bruins won, but for the Pens to be swept while scoring only 2 goals (and never having a lead) is difficult to comprehend. Although I think the problems run deeper than just him, it seems like Bylsma needs to go. Shero should shoulder some of the blame, though, because the way the team is constructed seems to be an issue.
- MadCap2008


Its really easy to make it a Penguin centric conversation but I wasn't as mad as some people in here watching the actual games (I was pretty mad about personnel decisions).

I love watching great hockey, and the Bruins provided it. They were so outstanding on the defensive secondary puck support it made the illusion of having 6 guys out there (which they did twice in Game 3 haha).

They remind me of a more physical 2008 Red Wings team

It may have been luck to escape Toronto but the wake up call was received, full steam ahead for Boston now.

Also Rask is sitting at .943%, Tim Thomas was .940% in his Conn Smythe playoff.
NYI44
New York Islanders
Location: Long Island, NY
Joined: 05.18.2013

Jun 8 @ 9:19 AM ET
Malkin is a Penguin.

Letang and Fleury are the two high profile names to focus in on.

- Gunner Staal

I don't understand when people say they want to trade malkin. He is just so good but i would understand if malkin wants to be the star of whatever team he would get traded to.

Also, why does everybody want letang traded? I understand that he hasn't been great defensively but he is a Norris trophy finalist.

As for Fleury, I think he has played his last game as a Penguin. I don't know how they can put him back in net after benching him after the Isles series and after he got some playing time in game 6.
Gunner Staal
Pittsburgh Penguins
Location: @gunnerstaal @Hockey_Hurts hoc, NY
Joined: 04.19.2007

Jun 8 @ 9:24 AM ET
I don't understand when people say they want to trade malkin. He is just so good but i would understand if malkin wants to be the star of whatever team he would get traded to.

Also, why does everybody want letang traded? I understand that he hasn't been great defensively but he is a Norris trophy finalist.

As for Fleury, I think he has played his last game as a Penguin. I don't know how they can put him back in net after benching him after the Isles series and after he got some playing time in game 6.

- NYI44


That is quite an oxymoron.

And Malkin is a star in Pittsburgh. One of only 3 players to ever win Calder, Hart, Art Ross, Ted Lindsay, and Conn Smythe Trophy. Lemieux and Orr the other 2.
MadCap2008
Washington Capitals
Location: Brambleton, VA
Joined: 06.02.2007

Jun 8 @ 9:25 AM ET
Its really easy to make it a Penguin centric conversation but I wasn't as mad as some people in here watching the actual games (I was pretty mad about personnel decisions).

I love watching great hockey, and the Bruins provided it. They were so outstanding on the defensive secondary puck support it made the illusion of having 6 guys out there (which they did twice in Game 3 haha).

They remind me of a more physical 2008 Red Wings team

It may have been luck to escape Toronto but the wake up call was received, full steam ahead for Boston now.

Also Rask is sitting at .943%, Tim Thomas was .940% in his Conn Smythe playoff.

- Gunner Staal


Absolutely, tons of credit goes to the Bruins and the way they played.
Killian
Pittsburgh Penguins
Location: Germantown, MD
Joined: 02.22.2013

Jun 8 @ 9:34 AM ET
and he wanted me to let Gunner know that he agrees with what you said about Bylsma adjusting...
arnpriorguy
Ottawa Senators
Location: Arnprior, ON
Joined: 06.30.2010

Jun 8 @ 9:38 AM ET
Just wondering what u guys are gonna do with MAF guy is done ,management seems to have no faith in the guy .
Killian
Pittsburgh Penguins
Location: Germantown, MD
Joined: 02.22.2013

Jun 8 @ 9:39 AM ET
Just wondering what u guys are gonna do with MAF guy is done ,management seems to have no faith in the guy .
- arnpriorguy


i seem to be the only one that does
rival22
Pittsburgh Penguins
Location: @Mance_22 - Albany, NY
Joined: 02.27.2007

Jun 8 @ 9:40 AM ET
Despres, Dumoulin, and possibly Reese will be coming up. Also Bortuzzo could be signed for cheap
- drummer829


Reese is nothing more than an injury callup.

Engelland is the perfect cheap #7 guy.
MadCap2008
Washington Capitals
Location: Brambleton, VA
Joined: 06.02.2007

Jun 8 @ 9:40 AM ET
What if Shero in his discussions with Bylsma addresses that fact and the proper adjustments are made in that regard? What if Shero becomes a little more hands on about who dresses (Bennett, Despres scenarios)?
- Gunner Staal


IMO the main thing Bylsma has going for him is that he won a Cup (and I know that's a big thing, though you could say the same for Fleury and everyone seems more than ready to cut ties with him). Otherwise, his track is very similar to Bruce Boudreau's tenure in DC. Great talent, excellent regular season results, high expectations and playoff disappoinments (some staggering, like this one). The Caps were also a 1 seed when they were swept by Tampa in the 2nd round in 2011. Many were calling for Boudreau's head because it was clear that it just wasn't working. The Caps gave him another shot and he was ultimately fired early the next season when it was apparent that whatever message he was delivering wasn't being heard.
rival22
Pittsburgh Penguins
Location: @Mance_22 - Albany, NY
Joined: 02.27.2007

Jun 8 @ 9:46 AM ET
What if Shero in his discussions with Bylsma addresses that fact and the proper adjustments are made in that regard? What if Shero becomes a little more hands on about who dresses (Bennett, Despres scenarios)?
- Gunner Staal


One approach that I could see happening is bringing in an older, experienced assistant. Not someone to undercut Bylsma, but a respected voice that will speak up to Bylsma. Maybe someone on the staff does now, but it doesn't seem that way.
top shelf 15
Ottawa Senators
Joined: 11.23.2008

Jun 8 @ 10:08 AM ET
Meh it just wasnt in the cards this year ,Boston is a good team .Pittsburgh needs to cut some deadwood, and see what their pretty decent stable of young blueliners can do .
Sell My Monkey
Pittsburgh Penguins
Location: United States
Joined: 05.02.2008

Jun 8 @ 10:11 AM ET
IMO the main thing Bylsma has going for him is that he won a Cup (and I know that's a big thing, though you could say the same for Fleury and everyone seems more than ready to cut ties with him). Otherwise, his track is very similar to Bruce Boudreau's tenure in DC. Great talent, excellent regular season results, high expectations and playoff disappoinments (some staggering, like this one). The Caps were also a 1 seed when they were swept by Tampa in the 2nd round in 2011. Many were calling for Boudreau's head because it was clear that it just wasn't working. The Caps gave him another shot and he was ultimately fired early the next season when it was apparent that whatever message he was delivering wasn't being heard.
- MadCap2008


I don't think this team has the option to continue to "develop a coach" into a playoff winner. The tools were there and HCDB used them to whack himself in the head with them.

Not EVER trying Iggy with Sid and reuniting Kuni with Geno was just absurd. The complete mishandling of the lineup..even during the regular season was at best awful. Despres and Bennett are now behind in their overall development due to irrational healthy scratches.

The PP NEVER changed all series until the very last one. I guess 0-14 is OK for Blysma. The hustle level arrived but no adjustment was made. We played Dan Blysma hockey in games 3 and 4 and it wasn't effective and had no other style to try. This is the NHL and coaches need to think when the game is going on, not look lost all the freaking time when the chips are down.

If I'm Shero, I know the window is closing and Blysma was terrible last year and showed little improvement with a better team this year. KICK ROCKS DAN! Thanks for the Cup...take Flower, Nisky, and your boy Glass with ya!
BulliesPhan87
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: the lone wolf of hockeybuzz
Joined: 07.31.2009

Jun 8 @ 10:13 AM ET
I will assume trolling duties on this thread, in lieu of our margin defying friend.

So, um... Something something eliminated something
riceroni
Ottawa Senators
Location: e5, ON
Joined: 07.29.2009

Jun 8 @ 10:15 AM ET
What would it take to trade for Letang?

I'd give up..

Anderson, 1st 2014 and Mark Stone

for

Letang, Fleury

Andy can be your stable #1 G and you will save a ton of cap space for keeping your core together...

Ottawa gains another PMD that we can have long term with Karlsson to solidify our D and we give the reins to Lehner who looks like he's ready and get Flower to give him a fresh start.
top shelf 15
Ottawa Senators
Joined: 11.23.2008

Jun 8 @ 10:18 AM ET
What would it take to trade for Letang?

I'd give up..

Anderson, 1st 2014 and Mark Stone

for

Letang, Fleury

Andy can be your stable #1 G and you will save a ton of cap space for keeping your core together...

Ottawa gains another PMD that we can have long term with Karlsson to solidify our D and we give the reins to Lehner who looks like he's ready and get Flower to give him a fresh start.

- riceroni

As much as pens fans are a little upset with Letang,moving him would be a mistake. They need to get better defensemen to help him out ,kid has tallent but he pushes to make things happen a little to much sometimes
BulliesPhan87
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: the lone wolf of hockeybuzz
Joined: 07.31.2009

Jun 8 @ 10:21 AM ET
As much as pens fans are a little upset with Letang,moving him would be a mistake. They need to get better defensemen to help him out ,kid has tallent but he pushes to make things happen a little to much sometimes
- top shelf 15

For what he'll get on his next contract, he should be the one making his partner better, not vice versa. Anyways, its obvious he'll sign with the Flyers in free agency, to seek revenge once he's fully ostracized by Pittsburgh
top shelf 15
Ottawa Senators
Joined: 11.23.2008

Jun 8 @ 10:32 AM ET
For what he'll get on his next contract, he should be the one making his partner better, not vice versa. Anyways, its obvious he'll sign with the Flyers in free agency, to seek revenge once he's fully ostracized by Pittsburgh
- BulliesPhan87
Pittsburgh needs a good second pairing pmd to help take the heat off him in the offensive production dept.There are a few problems with pittsburgh,s blueline overall speed.Their blueline doesnt match the high skill of the forwards,Doug Murray belongs on a big grinding team like boston not on an explosive offensive team like pittsburgh
nh4442
Pittsburgh Penguins
Location: @MyDaddysInTheAF, PA
Joined: 05.28.2010

Jun 8 @ 10:34 AM ET
Letang to edm for eberle and their 1st and 3rd

nisk for a 4th

MAF for a 1st (west coast team with a top 8 pick) prospect and player

glass wont get traded but should be odd man out

tk wont be resigned

iggy and murray resigns low for one more chance

morrow retires bc hes too slow

cooke and dupes resign

DB gets canned for tippet or tocchet...

despres and Bennett get top playing minutes

vokun and hartzell are new goalie tandem, unless they find someone in free agency

malkin get same deal as sid only 9 mil instead of 8.7... should get 7.1 lol

rival22
Pittsburgh Penguins
Location: @Mance_22 - Albany, NY
Joined: 02.27.2007

Jun 8 @ 10:42 AM ET
Letang to edm for eberle and their 1st and 3rd

nisk for a 4th

MAF for a 1st (west coast team with a top 8 pick) prospect and player

glass wont get traded but should be odd man out

tk wont be resigned

iggy and murray resigns low for one more chance

morrow retires bc hes too slow

cooke and dupes resign

DB gets canned for tippet or tocchet...

despres and Bennett get top playing minutes

vokun and hartzell are new goalie tandem, unless they find someone in free agency

malkin get same deal as sid only 9 mil instead of 8.7... should get 7.1 lol

- nh4442


Sorry, you're never getting that return for either Letang or Fleury.
rival22
Pittsburgh Penguins
Location: @Mance_22 - Albany, NY
Joined: 02.27.2007

Jun 8 @ 10:43 AM ET
Pittsburgh needs a good second pairing pmd to help take the heat off him in the offensive production dept.There are a few problems with pittsburgh,s blueline overall speed.Their blueline doesnt match the high skill of the forwards,Doug Murray belongs on a big grinding team like boston not on an explosive offensive team like pittsburgh

- top shelf 15


Ummm... We have Paul Martin.
StabMastaArson
Pittsburgh Penguins
Location: Why do you want to know?!?!?!
Joined: 05.13.2009

Jun 8 @ 10:44 AM ET
Watching Hossa lift the cup again is going to hurt
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