Not sure if Johnston is completely at fault, his system seems decent, but he has seemed in over his head at some points.

But, if they can him, outside of overpaying Babcock (would ownership want to pay a big ticket coach, while still paying two others?), who would take the job? It's literally win it all or bust

Gary Agnew or John Hynes are probably your only two options at this point.
- rival22

Big name coaches have ego's. They all believe they're the answer. I have zero doubt they'll make the move if Babcock becomes available.

I honestly don't believe it's "win it all or bust". I've said over the years, it's not that they're losing in the playoffs, it's HOW they're losing. Flyers series was an embarrassment. Swept by B's. Up 3-1 against the Rags last year.

When he suggested trading Malkin for draft picks... Wow, what an idiot.
- madmike71

I can't gauge the Pens WB system, but if there is truly nothing that can even play 4th line minutes, I think they will explore many options. Those cheap guys are killing the Pens. Instead they're paying 2mil for Spaling on the 4th. That needs to be a sub 1mil contract.

Would anyone do

Malkin to Edmonton for Drasatil, Eberle and Nurse?

Or

Malkin and Doumalin to San Jose for Couture, Hertl, Wringles, Dillion and a 2nd.

Or

Malkin to Arizona for 2nd overall (Eichel) and Boedker?

I can't gauge the Pens WB system, but if there is truly nothing that can even play 4th line minutes, I think they will explore many options. Those cheap guys are killing the Pens. Instead they're paying 2mil for Spaling on the 4th. That needs to be a sub 1mil contract.
- sammy87

I think there's hope for Rust and Wilson being bottom 6 players as soon as next year. Spaling is a dime a dozen player. It's hard to believe he's stealing 2mil from the Pens.

Would anyone do

Malkin to Edmonton for Drasatil, Eberle and Nurse?

Or

Malkin and Doumalin to San Jose for Couture, Hertl, Wringles, Dillion and a 2nd.

Or

Malkin to Arizona for 2nd overall (Eichel) and Boedker?
- Willaged

And just to note- I do not believe Malkin is the problem. But lack of depth clearly is. Moving Malkin for the right package could fetch us 3-4 quality players including still a legit #2 center- not Malkin quality but a #2 center non the less. If we could do Malkin for under 25 #2 center and top 6 wing, plus an under 30 solid bottom 6 player... I'd do it. Team needs more young forward depth

I am a Senators fan but I sincerely hope you guys beat Buffalo today.

I have zero respect for a franchise that intentionally tried to finish last in the league. No way I want them to un-tarnish that reputation by ending their season on a high note from knocking a team out of the playoffs.

Big name coaches have ego's. They all believe they're the answer. I have zero doubt they'll make the move if Babcock becomes available.

I honestly don't believe it's "win it all or bust". I've said over the years, it's not that they're losing in the playoffs, it's HOW they're losing. Flyers series was an embarrassment. Swept by B's. Up 3-1 against the Rags last year.
- madmike71

That's many fans issues with Bylsma. Something like 90% of series that go to 3-1 end in victories for the team up by two games. Bylsma lost two of those. 2011 and 2014. 2012 was an absolute mess and largely coaching was at fault for discipline issues. 2013 he made terrible lineup decisions and deserved to be fired that offseason. Just because this current coaching/GM duo might not be the answer doesn't make the last one good.

Just for the record and I'm sure of this anyway.... team's can't put out injury reports that are a tad exaggerated to the length of time they'd be out, right?

I am a Senators fan but I sincerely hope you guys beat Buffalo today.

I have zero respect for a franchise that intentionally tried to finish last in the league. No way I want them to un-tarnish that reputation by ending their season on a high note from knocking a team out of the playoffs.
- maaddmike

Figures now that they tank enough to get the worse record, they will bring everything they have to beat the pens

Would anyone do

Malkin to Edmonton for Drasatil, Eberle and Nurse?

Or

Malkin and Doumalin to San Jose for Couture, Hertl, Wringles, Dillion and a 2nd.

Or

Malkin to Arizona for 2nd overall (Eichel) and Boedker?
- Willaged

71 can pretty much say wherever he wants to go. So i dont think EDM is on the list. Maybe PHX or SJ. Id do PHX if they threw in Hanzel too. If the Pens add BB it might work.

Figures now that they tank enough to get the worse record, they will bring everything they have to beat the pens
- drummer829

I doubt Tampa Bay will be laying down vs Boston though... Tampa Bay wins and Mont loses, Tampa gets the #2 overall spot and passes Montreal.

they need to fire half of the FO (too many chiefs, not enough Indians)and use that money to study the water, food , soil, environment in Pitt to figure out how these injuries keep happening at such an alarming rate.

I am a Senators fan but I sincerely hope you guys beat Buffalo today.

I have zero respect for a franchise that intentionally tried to finish last in the league. No way I want them to un-tarnish that reputation by ending their season on a high note from knocking a team out of the playoffs.
- maaddmike

The Sabres learned by what the 1983-84 penguins did.

That's many fans issues with Bylsma. Something like 90% of series that go to 3-1 end in victories for the team up by two games. Bylsma lost two of those. 2011 and 2014. 2012 was an absolute mess and largely coaching was at fault for discipline issues. 2013 he made terrible lineup decisions and deserved to be fired that offseason. Just because this current coaching/GM duo might not be the answer doesn't make the last one good.
- jfkst1

That's the way I feel about it. I can't say I was thrilled when they brought JR here, although, I think his personnel moves have been pretty good (until the Despres move).

However, bringing a coach from Juniors was mind boggling. I've been saying for years this team needed a disciplinarian. Not a professorial guy like MJ. Certainly mustache boy needed to go. He absolutely mangled a couple of those series.

If changes need to be made, especially to clear some cap room and bring in new blood, who do Pens fans want traded first?

That's the way I feel about it. I can't say I was thrilled when they brought JR here, although, I think his personnel moves have been pretty good (until the Despres move).

However, bringing a coach from Juniors was mind boggling. I've been saying for years this team needed a disciplinarian. Not a professorial guy like MJ. Certainly mustache boy needed to go. He absolutely mangled a couple of those series.
- madmike71

I know I wasn't alone on this, but why we didn't target Trotz harder is belong me. And sure enough, he's done a great job with Washington.

If changes need to be made, especially to clear some cap room and bring in new blood, who do Pens fans want traded first?
- MnGump

Scuderi.. Lol.. But no one really believes his contract is moveable.

Kunitz- but his return won't be big enough

Sutter- but will we be able to truly upgrade the 3C POSITION?


Not the guy Pens fans want to move, but the only guy to move that will clear space and bring a good return back is Malkin. IMO, it's move Malkin, or remain status quo and tinker what you can with outgoing/ incoming UFAS....

If changes need to be made, especially to clear some cap room and bring in new blood, who do Pens fans want traded first?
- MnGump

To most fans 87, 58, 71, 3, 72, 29 can all stay. The rest can go. If drastic changes are made 71 has the potential for a huge return.

Scuderi.. Lol.. But no one really believes his contract is moveable.

Kunitz- but his return won't be big enough

Sutter- but will we be able to truly upgrade the 3C POSITION?


Not the guy Pens fans want to move, but the only guy to move that will clear space and bring a good return back is Malkin. IMO, it's move Malkin, or remain status quo and tinker what you can with outgoing/ incoming UFAS....
- Willaged

Yeah everyone here thinks moving Kunitz or Sutter will bring a return that changes the team. Its just not true and they dont have the players in the farm that can help either. I get the impression that DP, Dumo and Harrington have uderwhelmed. Which means either over pay Martin or Hoff or over pay a UFA.

I know I wasn't alone on this, but why we didn't target Trotz harder is belong me. And sure enough, he's done a great job with Washington.
- Willaged

It was a timing issue. Pens went 7 games into the 2nd round. Then took time to fire Shero and bring in JR. By the time JR was able to asses the mess and start interviewing candidates, Washington already locked up Trotz.

I understand that their weren't a boat load of good candidates available to JR. But you have to question the decision to hire a coach out of Juniors.

Youre delusional if you think any GM is going to keep salary in reserve just in case we have 4 D Men out within the last 10 games. The odds of that happening are probably very low. We just seem to have the best of luck lately.
- thickman1178

Um that aint delusional dude. Shero always spent to about $1mill UNDER the cap each year for just such a reason.

You ever see any other teams in this sitch? For this long a period?

GMJR gambled and he lost.

Terrible mgmt. If you think otherwise, you're not delusional...you just don't know what you're talking about.

Hope we knock you out tonight, brother in law is a huge pens fan. So I wouldn't mind him not talking about a penguins playoff run for at least a year

Hope we knock you out tonight, brother in law is a huge pens fan. So I wouldn't mind him not talking about a penguins playoff run for at least a year
- beargk

You guys aren't the sole factor in this though :D

You guys aren't the sole factor in this though :D
- Guile

We're a key factor tho

We're a key factor tho
- beargk

Nah, you're the hole