Didn't make that up. Crosby has been a huge distraction to his team mates than a leader. Since 2012, locker room questioned his captaincy. And when they were eliminated by the Rangers in 2013, there was a big divide in the locker room. But ya know, I'm just making things up.

http://www.pensburgh.com/...-of-sidney-crosbys-injury

Also Orpik and Niskanen's comments. Coincidence they decided to go elsewhere?

http://avoidtheclap.com/tag/sidney-crosby/

Even Mark Recchi was sick of Sid's attitude with all of his complaining after the whistle.
- awildmudkip

Seriously... You use that garbage as an example? A column about team mates questioning his concussion issues. What a joke. The guy had symptoms for the better part of two years and team mates are going to question his desire to play. Laughable! Don't believe every "rumor" you read on the internet. Where's your source on "dividing the locker room"?

The thing you should be most concerned with is the tail end of the second article. Dan Bylsma was steering that ship.

The 2012 Penguins went the route of the 2008 and 2009 Washington Capitals. All offense all the time. And, much like the Caps, the Pens went down in laughable fashion. The forwards stopped backchecking. The defense was constantly (and preoccupied with) moving north and pinching. The goaltending, while left hung out to dry regularly, was abysmal. It was a complete team failure on so many levels, and that doesn’t exclude the coaching and front office.

By the way.... Orpik and Nisky left because, they weren't offered contracts. That might have something to do with leaving.

I would also consider offering the Ducks our 21st pick for John Gibson, maybe that's a little much.
- SABRES 89

I have been saying this, as you know.

You must have made that up. I never heard anything of the sort. Bylsma was run out of town because he wasn't a very good coach. Especially with making adjustments (both in-game and during playoff series). He repeatedly got his ass handed to him year after year in the playoffs.

His first adjustment to the Bruins in the ECF, came in game 3. The Pens couldn't score at all in that series, and Dan makes his first personnel change on the PP in the second to last chance in game 4. He had Iggy on the 2nd unit for that series. The guy still has a right handed bomb and he never once got on the ice with Crosby. He actually had Iggy playing left wing the entire series with Malkin. It was obvious Iggy was not comfortable at left wing.....ya know because he became a HOF player at RW.

I could go on and on because he made a dump truck load of poor decisions during his tenure. He's a hell of nice guy, but too damn stubborn to win when it matters (playoffs). If you guys hire him, pray that he's been humbled a little bit.
- madmike71

And I don't see any issue to do what Dan did when your franchise superstar continually chokes in the playoffs. I can understand moving Iggy to the left wing to have him strong side against Thomas' blocker side. Plus I'm sure Dan tried to match Iggy on the same side as Lucic. Right, it didn't work, but nothing else was working for them in that series either. So blame him from making "poor adjustments" but what else was he gonna do, play Crosby at defense and let any at goalie?

Bylsma tried to make changes happen with what he had. The on ice product didn't execute. Can't put 100% of blame on Dan.

I have been saying this, as you know.
- Irish 14

They don't need the picks though, they need NHL talent, which we have very little to spare

I don't want him and what's so special about him ? he's average if that.
- SABRES 89

He'd be hands down the best puck moving defenseman in the organization.

I'd be all for trading 21 to get him. Unless you can move up for hanifin, were making or provorov and you feel they can step in next year

And I don't see any issue to do what Dan did when your franchise superstar continually chokes in the playoffs. I can understand moving Iggy to the left wing to have him strong side against Thomas' blocker side. Plus I'm sure Dan tried to match Iggy on the same side as Lucic. Right, it didn't work, but nothing else was working for them in that series either. So blame him from making "poor adjustments" but what else was he gonna do, play Crosby at defense and let any at goalie?

Bylsma tried to make changes happen with what he had. The on ice product didn't execute. Can't put 100% of blame on Dan.
- awildmudkip

Who says I'm putting 100% blame on Dan. I'm just telling you why he got fired. The whole organization needs to take a big bite of that sh!t sandwich.....yes including Sid. I'm just telling you, Dan was repeatedly out-schemed by better coaches.

The Iggy thing was an embarrassment. The whole city knew he mangled it. Including ownership. As far as defense goes, they actually made Dan hire Jaques Martin to try and coax him into a a better defensive scheme. Which, naturally, didn't work because Dan was too stubborn to change.

The guy your team should pursue is our AHL coach John Hynes. The Devils are after him. He's a real good coach that cares about defense.

Seriously... You use that garbage as an example? A column about team mates questioning his concussion issues. What a joke. The guy had symptoms for the better part of two years and team mates are going to question his desire to play. Laughable! Don't believe every "rumor" you read on the internet. Where's your source on "dividing the locker room"?

The thing you should be most concerned with is the tail end of the second article. Dan Bylsma was steering that ship.

The 2012 Penguins went the route of the 2008 and 2009 Washington Capitals. All offense all the time. And, much like the Caps, the Pens went down in laughable fashion. The forwards stopped backchecking. The defense was constantly (and preoccupied with) moving north and pinching. The goaltending, while left hung out to dry regularly, was abysmal. It was a complete team failure on so many levels, and that doesn’t exclude the coaching and front office.

By the way.... Orpik and Nisky left because, they weren't offered contracts. That might have something to do with leaving.
- madmike71

"It is going to be interesting what evolves in Pittsburgh. I've heard from too many people this summer that this was not a happy group at the end of the year last year......because of lots of things. Guys not happy with who they're playing with... some of the stars not happy with their linemates. It was not a happy operation...and I mean before they got beat out. I mean as it was evolving during the season" said by Doug MacLean. Sounds pretty obvious to me. But what do I know, I'm just making stuff up.

At least I'm not another sheep.

He'd be hands down the best puck moving defenseman in the organization.

I'd be all for trading 21 to get him. Unless you can move up for hanifin, were making or provorov and you feel they can step in next year
- CaptPantalones

What I'm not doing is trading the 21st pick for a young goaltender.

It's been shown that you don't overpay for that position, and to me, that means picks as well.

"It is going to be interesting what evolves in Pittsburgh. I've heard from too many people this summer that this was not a happy group at the end of the year last year......because of lots of things. Guys not happy with who they're playing with... some of the stars not happy with their linemates. It was not a happy operation...and I mean before they got beat out. I mean as it was evolving during the season" said by Doug MacLean. Sounds pretty obvious to me. But what do I know, I'm just making stuff up.

At least I'm not another sheep.
- awildmudkip

Don't get me wrong. It's been a poorly run organization for years. Guys aren't happy with who they're playing with because we've got exactly one (maybe two) top six wings. Shero and Bylsma mangled it. Shero really mangled it with poor drafting. Old Ruthy has only been marginally better.

What I'm not doing is trading the 21st pick for a young goaltender.

It's been shown that you don't overpay for that position, and to me, that means picks as well.
- kingcong39

Totally agree. Use that pick as leverage for top 3 defenseman or top 6 forward. Or just draft a player.

Don't get me wrong. It's been a poorly run organization for years. Guys aren't happy with who they're playing with because we've got exactly one (maybe two) top six wings. Shero and Bylsma mangled it. Shero really mangled it with poor drafting. Old Ruthy has only been marginally better.
- madmike71

He'd be hands down the best puck moving defenseman in the organization.

I'd be all for trading 21 to get him. Unless you can move up for hanifin, were making or provorov and you feel they can step in next year
- CaptPantalones

Can't see them giving up that kid. Top prospect. They'd be spinning their wheels, giving up a top prospect for another first round pick.

He should've pulled a top-3 goalie in the league on the world stage? That American team was pathetic, anyway.

I'll give him a pass. I'd rather have Paul MacLean though.
- CaptainRivet

I just want his mustache.

He'd be hands down the best puck moving defenseman in the organization.

I'd be all for trading 21 to get him. Unless you can move up for hanifin, were making or provorov and you feel they can step in next year
- CaptPantalones

I didn't see much from him

They don't need the picks though, they need NHL talent, which we have very little to spare
- Sabresfan-365

The Ducks don't " need " NHL talent in case anyone hasn't noticed, they seem to be doing fine. Gibson isn't going to start there anytime soon.

The Ducks don't " need " NHL talent in case anyone hasn't noticed, they seem to be doing fine. Gibson isn't going to start there anytime soon.
- SABRES 89

Need's a strong word, but i bet they prefer nhl talent vs low 1st rounder.


And I wouldn't be sure of that, they may move andersen instead.

Need's a strong word, but i bet they prefer nhl talent vs low 1st rounder.


And I wouldn't be sure of that, they may move andersen instead.
- Sabresfan-365

I doubt it

I doubt it
- SABRES 89

Guess we'll see.

Need's a strong word, but i bet they prefer nhl talent vs low 1st rounder.


And I wouldn't be sure of that, they may move andersen instead.
- Sabresfan-365

the Ducks are one of those teams that has a lot of money tied up for a lot of years. So the are going to need a steady stream of young cheap players to fill in roster spots. They might just prefer a 1st rounder.

the Ducks are one of those teams that has a lot of money tied up for a lot of years. So the are going to need a steady stream of young cheap players to fill in roster spots. They might just prefer a 1st rounder.
- Cheeseballin

Which is what Gibson is, if they're looking for picks it'll be for the money they try to move out.

I wouldn't trade a 1st for a goalie unless they are proven in the NHL.

I wouldn't trade a 1st for a goalie unless they are proven in the NHL.
- sbroads24

Me neither.

21st overall for MAF.

:hides:

I wouldn't trade a 1st for a goalie unless they are proven in the NHL.
- sbroads24

I agree I wouldn't trade that first for a goalie either. Goalies are so interchangable nowadays, we can find one through trade, FA, or a later round draft pick. While I like Gibson I don't think it's worth it. I do think that pick will be moved though. Either useing it to move up or for a NHL player of some sort

I wouldn't trade a 1st for a goalie unless they are proven in the NHL.
- sbroads24

Craig Anderson?

Craig Anderson?
- SuperCat

Is he really worth a 1st?