1) Fire Bylsma.
2) Trade for Hal Gill
3) ?
4) Make $$
5) Win Stanley Cup

It's pretty clear what the plan is.
- jmatchett383

But Hal Gill is your Masterton nominee... He exemplifies the qualities of perseverance and dedication to a sport in which he no longer can play anymore... By refusing to just retire, and to instead milk another $700k out of an NHL team, he gets nominated for an award.

I mean this as a 100% serious question to Penguins fans:

Very simply, do you expect the Penguins to be able to beat the Bruins with the way things are now (i.e. no further injuries to either team, and injured players keeping to projected timetable of return)? As good as the Penguins are, would you expect them to be able to beat Boston (not CAN they, would they be the favorite)?
- jmatchett383

Right now, no. The way they've been playing they could lose to anyone.

The organization really missed its chance last summer. I don't see any way two or three more seasons aren't wasted once the playoffs further expose the Penguins. The coaching and management units should be ashamed of themselves.

I mean this as a 100% serious question to Penguins fans:

Very simply, do you expect the Penguins to be able to beat the Bruins with the way things are now (i.e. no further injuries to either team, and injured players keeping to projected timetable of return)? As good as the Penguins are, would you expect them to be able to beat Boston (not CAN they, would they be the favorite)?
- jmatchett383

They would not be the favorite at all. But, frankly I think by the time of the conference finals Chara will be showing signs of fatigue. I know everybody fluffs his tires but he looks slower this year than in years past. The Pens lost 4 straight last year but it was not utter dominance as revisionist Boston fans like to think (Game two being the exception).

Long way to go before we can even think about this potential rematch though.

To Ryans blog, I find it interesting that Trotz is being rumored on the outs. Does that influence the decision if the decision is brought up? Me thinks so.

To Ryans blog, I find it interesting that Trotz is being rumored on the outs. Does that influence the decision if the decision is brought up? Me thinks so.
- Topshelf Mountain

This posses the question ... Does Barry Trotz do to the Penguins what Torts did to the Rags and Vancouver - make them a defense first type of team? Nashville is one organization that doesn't care about skilled guys. They built their foundation on defense.

Kirk Mueller could be out too in Carolina. Would he be an improvement? Does Tippett get the boot in Phoenix if they don't make the play-offs?

To Ryans blog, I find it interesting that Trotz is being rumored on the outs. Does that influence the decision if the decision is brought up? Me thinks so.
- Topshelf Mountain

Ray Shero came from Nashville.

I mean this as a 100% serious question to Penguins fans:

Very simply, do you expect the Penguins to be able to beat the Bruins with the way things are now (i.e. no further injuries to either team, and injured players keeping to projected timetable of return)? As good as the Penguins are, would you expect them to be able to beat Boston (not CAN they, would they be the favorite)?
- jmatchett383

The Bruins would probably not break sweat counterattacking the Penguins for four games. I don't get any of this 'as good as the Penguins are' stuff. The Penguins are a banana republic, and it would be an achievement to get to the point of playing Boston.

To Ryans blog, I find it interesting that Trotz is being rumored on the outs. Does that influence the decision if the decision is brought up? Me thinks so.
- Topshelf Mountain

Trotz is interesting... He's a defensive coach, but he has never really had the toys that he'd have here. Who knows how much that would change his approach.

This posses the question ... Does Barry Trotz do to the Penguins what Torts did to the Rags and Vancouver - make them a defense first type of team? Nashville is one organization that doesn't care about skilled guys. They built their foundation on defense.

Kirk Mueller could be out too in Carolina. Would he be an improvement? Does Tippett get the boot in Phoenix if they don't make the play-offs?
- Oneonta Penguin

I would kill a guy for Dave Tippett. Barry Trotz as well to a lesser extent. The Penguins could have been the best trap-counterattack team since the 1970s Habs. To all of those concerned, becoming a defense-first team is a great deal better than being a no-defense team. Ask the Capitals.

This posses the question ... Does Barry Trotz do to the Penguins what Torts did to the Rags and Vancouver - make them a defense first type of team? Nashville is one organization that doesn't care about skilled guys. They built their foundation on defense.

Kirk Mueller could be out too in Carolina. Would he be an improvement? Does Tippett get the boot in Phoenix if they don't make the play-offs?
- Oneonta Penguin

Lots of scenarios. Sheros history with Trotz makes me think he'd leapfrog a guy like J. Martin. Unless, Martin was brought in as the successor.

They would not be the favorite at all. But, frankly I think by the time of the conference finals Chara will be showing signs of fatigue. I know everybody fluffs his tires but he looks slower this year than in years past. The Pens lost 4 straight last year but it was not utter dominance as revisionist Boston fans like to think (Game two being the exception).

Long way to go before we can even think about this potential rematch though.
- Tiogadog

I think New Jersey playing a disciplined seven games Devils-style could beat Pittsburgh at full strength. Boston plays a better trap/counter than NJ. Boston has given up thirty less goals than Pittsburgh in a tougher division, and outscored Pittsburgh by 11. Boston has the edge in match-ups, scoring, goaltending, coaching, even-strength play, team defense, depth, and recent history. That's why the Bruins shot right by the Penguins in the standings after the break and why the Penguins will be watching the Bruins on television from their vacation homes.

Ryan,

you hit the nail on the head with "circumstances" regarding a potential exit pre stanley cup finals.

I do give props to DB for the regular season and overcoming the many injuries, though it seems a lot of people seem to think our team could do what it has done regardless of the coach...

I for one think the hypothetical game 7 loss to whomever in the first round probably says good bye to disco dan. game 7 loss in the 2nd round or semis though and ownership has something to think about.

we get swept by boston again that is if we can make it to them and hes gone...

boston went on their march run, now they have lost a few games, granted all 1 goal games, so maybe come playoffs they will cool down, ideally they will do what the pens have done in the past, and now that the pens have had a miserable march maybe now they can get hot when it matters

I understand the intrigue of a coach that isn't Blysma, but looking at the playoff track record of both Trotz and Tippett doesn't impress me.

I think New Jersey playing a disciplined seven games Devils-style could beat Pittsburgh at full strength. Boston plays a better trap/counter than NJ. Boston has given up thirty less goals than Pittsburgh in a tougher division, and outscored Pittsburgh by 11. Boston has the edge in match-ups, scoring, goaltending, coaching, even-strength play, team defense, depth, and recent history. That's why the Bruins shot right by the Penguins in the standings after the break and why the Penguins will be watching the Bruins on television from their vacation homes.
- Johnny Wrath

Why don't you change your team affiliation to Boston then.

I think New Jersey playing a disciplined seven games Devils-style could beat Pittsburgh at full strength. Boston plays a better trap/counter than NJ. Boston has given up thirty less goals than Pittsburgh in a tougher division, and outscored Pittsburgh by 11. Boston has the edge in match-ups, scoring, goaltending, coaching, even-strength play, team defense, depth, and recent history. That's why the Bruins shot right by the Penguins in the standings after the break and why the Penguins will be watching the Bruins on television from their vacation homes.
- Johnny Wrath

Sounds like a reversal from last year if I recall correctly. pittsburgh were heavy favorites and I believe led Boston in all those categories.

Its going to have to be at least a Eastern Conference finals game 7 loss to keep him(with the pens playing good hockey not a bunch of puck luck). Anything less I say fire him, and it may not even be his fault. After so many consecutive years of disappointing playoff losses something will have to change, and one guy over 20 is the old adage indeed. I believe if there is another lackluster performance the team in general has to be looked at. Trading Malkin will have to be considered. If MAF plays like a nervous teenager his future will have to be considered. You hear people talk about a teams identity, well fail again and that is now this teams identity.

Ryan,

you hit the nail on the head with "circumstances" regarding a potential exit pre stanley cup finals.

I do give props to DB for the regular season and overcoming the many injuries, though it seems a lot of people seem to think our team could do what it has done regardless of the coach...

I for one think the hypothetical game 7 loss to whomever in the first round probably says good bye to disco dan. game 7 loss in the 2nd round or semis though and ownership has something to think about.

we get swept by boston again that is if we can make it to them and hes gone...

boston went on their march run, now they have lost a few games, granted all 1 goal games, so maybe come playoffs they will cool down, ideally they will do what the pens have done in the past, and now that the pens have had a miserable march maybe now they can get hot when it matters
- JLT168

Agreed, I'm hoping boston peaked too early and the wheels come off in the playoffs , lots of people are very pessimistic about our chances , I think it'll all come together , at least I'm hoping for that, but I give us as good a chance as anyone. "Here's to hoping " *chug beer*

Its going to have to be at least a Eastern Conference finals game 7 loss to keep him(with the pens playing good hockey not a bunch of puck luck). Anything less I say fire him, and it may not even be his fault. After so many consecutive years of disappointing playoff losses something will have to change, and one guy over 20 is the old adage indeed. I believe if there is another lackluster performance the team in general has to be looked at. Trading Malkin will have to be considered. If MAF plays like a nervous teenager his future will have to be considered. You hear people talk about a teams identity, well fail again and that is now this teams identity.
- Grinder47

Why would that need to be considered?

Why would that need to be considered?
- Tiogadog

He gets paid more than Sidney Crosby. Enough said.

Shero has put his eggs in the defense basket. To date we see a somewhat improved but inconsistent defense and this is a problem. We can argue and discus the who, what, where and when of this problem but the problem is the gorilla in the room for Blysma.

For this team to go deep it would require the defense to play up to it's potential and for those assets to be managed to their best advantage. To date, it just hasn't happened for whatever reason, at least not consistently.

For Disco Dan to be highly adored, it requires getting the most out of the assets at his disposal both youth and vets. End of story. I hope it happens but I am not holding my breath because he has trouble with decision making on when to play youth and knowing when to play whomever is a better in terms of size and skill and energy. I don't know what is affecting his decision making but it's a bit of a problem, just enough to be a concern.

Injuries cloud the issue but not as much as some people are stating. To me, for Coach Dan it's all about asset management and the problems within that area.

He gets paid more than Sidney Crosby. Enough said.
- Grinder47

Not sure he gets paid that much more. Also, we all complain about the lack of a third line center on this team. If you trade Malkin, we would then complain about the lack of a second line center.

Besides, the return for him would not come close to what he brings to the team.

well i know the stillers always play better as the underdog so hopefully everything being pessimistic about the pens lights a fire under their arse...

as far as trading malkin I brought that up a few weeks ago and everyone wanted to kill me for even suggesting such a thing...

I like DB for the record but if we bow out early I guess all the ownership can do is move on...it is just hard to stomach and think about letting the organizations winningest coach walk, but of course we have the best player in the world and a pretty close 2nd

so hard to speculate here but if we get detroit then say philly and can beat both of them, regardless of how many games each series took then I actually think we will have a good chance of beating boston, we lose to either of those teams (doesnt matter how many games) then we were going to lose to boston anyway...

I'm just trying to figure this out from everybody in here.

The Penguins have over 400 man games lost, which is highest in the NHL, but managed to walk into a Metro division title, and everybody is already firing the head coach and trading Malkin?? I understand the low expectations going into the playoffs, but personally, i like the way Fleury has played recently, plus the fact that players are getting some rest and getting healthy before the playoffs start have to be encouraging. I will gladly call for change if the Pens get bounced in the first round, but lets get there first before we start talking about it.

I understand the intrigue of a coach that isn't Blysma, but looking at the playoff track record of both Trotz and Tippett doesn't impress me.
- cap1681

Tippett intrigues me a bit.. He likely has learned a lot along the way, but he had a couple of REALLY good Dallas teams that didn't make it out of the first round.