Against a very talented hawks team? That would be like if the pens came back against the senators down 3-1. Not a melt down at all. Being embarassed by Philly last year, barely getting by the isles and getting swept by the bruins is a meltdown
- drummer829

So which is it? The great Blackhawks or the ones that found themselves in a 3-1 hole, because you cant have it both ways with the criticism of the Pens/Islanders series. Fact is both Hawks and Pens found a way to advance.

I hope Shero had a heart to heart before offering DB that extension. I don't like this. He has failed miserably in the play-offs since winning the Cup. That series against Philly and that 4-0 sweep by Boston, I can't get out of my mind. He coached poorly.

Granato deserves to stay. He has more fire than the head coach and he did well with the PK.

I hope Shero told him things have to change. Play the players you have a chance to win with and don't leave young talent rotting in the press box in lieu of lesser talents. Based on what I saw, I wouldn't have extended him.

So which is it? The great Blackhawks or the ones that found themselves in a 3-1 hole, because you cant have it both ways with the criticism of the Pens/Islanders series. Fact is both Hawks and Pens found a way to advance.
- Gunner Staal

And look how Babcock coached against the hawks. Constantly matching against toews and taking away space, grinding down the hawks D with simple forechecks, however the depth of the hawks kicked in and won them some close games. Look how Sutter coached the kings last year. The kings had quick, but they did an amazing job of shutting down Vancouver.

And the pens obviously didn't find a way to advance if they are golfing now

I hope Shero had a heart to heart before offering DB that extension. I don't like this. He has failed miserably in the play-offs since winning the Cup. That series against Philly and that 4-0 sweep by Boston, I can't get out of my mind. He coached poorly.

Granato deserves to stay. He has more fire than the head coach and he did well with the PK.

I hope Shero told him things have to change. Play the players you have a chance to win with and don't leave young talent rotting in the press box in lieu of lesser talents. Based on what I saw, I wouldn't have extended him.
- Oneonta Penguin

With Bylsma staying, Shero will shake things up another way

And look how Babcock coached against the hawks. Constantly matching against toews and taking away space, grinding down the hawks D with simple forechecks, however the depth of the hawks kicked in and won them some close games. Look how Sutter coached the kings last year. The kings had quick, but they did an amazing job of shutting down Vancouver.

And the pens obviously didn't find a way to advance if they are golfing now
- drummer829

Sutter didn't coach any differently this year than last year, he is golfing now.

And look how Babcock coached against the hawks. Constantly matching against toews and taking away space, grinding down the hawks D with simple forechecks, however the depth of the hawks kicked in and won them some close games. Look how Sutter coached the kings last year. The kings had quick, but they did an amazing job of shutting down Vancouver.

And the pens obviously didn't find a way to advance if they are golfing now
- drummer829

Babcock, I can't stand, but he is simply the best coach in the business. If Pittsburgh had him, we would have an Edmonton like run of titles.

Shutting down Vancouver is no big thing. They couldn't score this year. Leading goal scorer you ask, Alex Burrows with 13.

I hope Shero had a heart to heart before offering DB that extension. I don't like this. He has failed miserably in the play-offs since winning the Cup. That series against Philly and that 4-0 sweep by Boston, I can't get out of my mind. He coached poorly.

Granato deserves to stay. He has more fire than the head coach and he did well with the PK.

I hope Shero told him things have to change. Play the players you have a chance to win with and don't leave young talent rotting in the press box in lieu of lesser talents. Based on what I saw, I wouldn't have extended him.
- Oneonta Penguin

That's not just a problem in Pittsburgh. It's everywhere. There's an overriding theme in hockey, and many other sports, where veterans "paying their dues" are going to get the nod over young guys. The problem is that when when young guys, who have yet to "earn" anything, are simply better, that archaic philosophy does nothing but make your team worse.

Its not a different concept. He isn't going to bad mouth "assets" that he still has control of.

What does Shero gain by saying the Penguins are going to move on from Fleury at a press conference today?
- Gunner Staal

Exactly.

Sutter didn't coach any differently this year than last year, he is golfing now.
- Gunner Staal

And they did better than the pens this post season. At least they won one against the hawks. They at least scores goals

The similarities between Pitt and Vancouver in the post season has been very similar

The similarities between Pitt and Vancouver in the post season has been very similar
- drummer829

You know, minus the whole Stanley Cup thing, as well as an additional trip to the Final.

You know, minus the whole Stanley Cup thing, as well as an additional trip to the Final.
- Gunner Staal

The choking part is uncanny

The choking part is uncanny
- drummer829

Mistakes were made in the Conference Finals, but the sensationalism that accompanies this time of year is humorous.

And they did better than the pens this post season. At least they won one against the hawks. They at least scores goals
- drummer829

Solid argument.

The Kings lost 9 games and the Pens only lost 7. So I guess the Pens were actually better.

Solid argument.

The Kings lost 9 games and the Pens only lost 7. So I guess the Pens were actually better.
- canadianpenfan

In that case, Buffalo lost 0 games. We win.

In that case, Buffalo lost 0 games. We win.
- buffalofan19

You're tied for 1st overall with 13 other teams.

It's not that the pens lose a series by giving it their all and were beaten by a better team, it's that they collapse on themselves and look atrocious. I was a little happier of how the pens played in games 3 and 4, but it still wasn't a huge improvement. You can say all you want about the pens being shutdown by Rask, but the pens had no problem at all scoring on Anderson who played unbelievable during the regular season and 1st round. If you think Fleurys confidence is shot, what about Bylsmas.

In that case, Buffalo lost 0 games. We win.
- buffalofan19

The complaining you read in here must make you sick given what we see in WNY.

I know it's a poor analogy and a completely differernt sport, but look at Marv Levy in Buffalo...4 super bowl appearances and no wins. He was indeed a great coach. If the Pens needed to shake up the staff...one of the assistants should have been replaced with a veteran "old school" coach. Meloche stepping down is probably a good thing in the long run, but they should be looking outside of the organization for some "fresh blood" and a new perspective.

And they did better than the pens this post season. At least they won one against the hawks. They at least scores goals
- drummer829

If that's how you are judging which team/coach did better, than I'm at a loss.

Are you saying that you would be happier with the Pens if they lost the Bruins series 4-2? Does it really make a difference?

If winning it all is the only scenario that brings happiness, be prepared to be miserable all the time. Hardest trophy in sports to win.

The complaining you read in here must make you sick given what we see in WNY.
- Gunner Staal

Admittedly, I came here looking to be entertained.

If that's how you are judging which team/coach did better, than I'm at a loss.

Are you saying that you would be happier with the Pens if they lost the Bruins series 4-2? Does it really make a difference?
- rival22

Did you not see the pens get out worked by the bruins?

Mistakes were made in the Conference Finals, but the sensationalism that accompanies this time of year is humorous.
- Gunner Staal

I think the criticism is very fair. You have the highest scoring team in the league and the best team in the east that loses all four games by a combined 12-2 count. There wasn't just one mistake. There were several. The style of play for one. You don't try to beat Boston by playing Boston's style. There were no adjustments on the power play. The refusal to take Niskanen out of the lineup, who sucked all play-off season ...

Someone has to be held accountable for that embarrassment. If we lose in seven, I don't think you have as much female doging. Let's face it, his play-off success absent the Cup hasn't been good. People criticize Fleury saying he is a good regular-season goalie, but can't get it done in the play-offs when the pressure is one. That is fair. DB seems exactly like Fleury.

I know it's a poor analogy and a completely differernt sport, but look at Marv Levy in Buffalo...4 super bowl appearances and no wins. He was indeed a great coach. If the Pens needed to shake up the staff...one of the assistants should have been replaced with a veteran "old school" coach. Meloche stepping down is probably a good thing in the long run, but they should be looking outside of the organization for some "fresh blood" and a new perspective.
- pghbirdman

People can make fun of the Bills if they want for that Super Bowl run but it was still an impressive feat and will never be done again. I had a great time being a fan during that time period, much like how I love the situation the Penguins are in now. Every year they have a chance.