Isn’t this supposed to be a Pens blog? Who’s the real fraud here

“The coaching thing is fun. I think it’s a little overrated,” Brind’Amour said earlier this week. “You open the door and you say, ‘Go play.'"

Obviously not the whole story, because the bigger part of the job is getting everybody on the same page and developing a strategy that can have success, but it's still an interesting quote from a first year guy.


Babcock, unfortunately, seems to have got that backwards.
- BINGO!

This is where coaches could stand to toot their own horns a bit more and discuss what actually goes on and why they like it. That would certainly give kids a bit more background on what they should (or shouldn’t) expect from their minor league, high school, and junior coaches

Thought for sure Ryan Wilson was gonna blame the Leafs loss on Jack Johnson that's how bad Johnson is

I think you are still a little raw from the loss, as well as the knowledge that Babcock is a fraud is misdirecting your displeasure on to Mr. Wilson.

There is a reason the Leafs lost last night and it wasn't because of Ryan Wilson.
- Makita

Is it because they were eliminated by the 2nd place team. Last year the fourth place overall. The year before, first overall.

Doesnt matter what round it was. It's being eliminated by top teams every year.

Kinda missed this blog's fun... didn't realize it was RW without the Penguins logo

Babcock has blown 3 series leads in the last 4 series he's coached. And 4 out of the last 6.

Impressive consistency.

Isn’t this supposed to be a Pens blog? Who’s the real fraud here
- WSCTeton17

Meh... Not a ton going on in Pensland.

I've been saying the same thing about Babcock for years, even after his gold medals and cup wins. I'm from Detroit and I'm both a Habs and Wings fan. As a Wings fan one of the happiest days in my life was when he decided to leave. He's way over rated. At best he's a good coach but so are over half the coaches in the NHL. Team Canada's gold medals and the Wings Cup were won in spite of him, not because of him. Those gold medal teams were teams that Steve Yzerman put together. The 2014 Team Canada had 8 NHL captains on their roster. Daffy Duck could have coached those teams to gold. He has had the good fortune to take over as head coach of some highly talented teams. He stepped into Toronto just as Brendan Shanahan started getting rid of dead wood and loading the team with young talent. As a hockey purest I'd love to see a historic franchise like the Leafs win a Cup, but I'd be shocked if it happens with Babcock behind the bench.

I've been saying the same thing about Babcock for years, even after his gold medals and cup wins. I'm from Detroit and I'm both a Habs and Wings fan. As a Wings fan one of the happiest days in my life was when he decided to leave. He's way over rated. At best he's a good coach but so are over half the coaches in the NHL. Team Canada's gold medals and the Wings Cup were won in spite of him, not because of him. Those gold medal teams were teams that Steve Yzerman put together. The 2014 Team Canada had 8 NHL captains on their roster. Daffy Duck could have coached those teams to gold. He has had the good fortune to take over as head coach of some highly talented teams. He stepped into Toronto just as Brendan Shanahan started getting rid of dead wood and loading the team with young talent. As a hockey purest I'd love to see a historic franchise like the Leafs win a Cup, but I'd be shocked if it happens with Babcock behind the bench.
- HabandWingfan

Why did Yzerman and Shanahan both hand pick him to coach their teams? That seems odd, since having played for him, they both would have experienced first hand how bad he was. It's strange. I ask myself who's judgement is more credible; Yzerman and Shanahan, or this blogger and Mike Commodore.

I think you are still a little raw from the loss, as well as the knowledge that Babcock is a fraud is misdirecting your displeasure on to Mr. Wilson.

There is a reason the Leafs lost last night and it wasn't because of Ryan Wilson.
- Makita

Oh you hit it right on the head. Only thing is I have been a bruin fan since 1967. Actually saw the greatest of all time in person. You probably don't know who Johnnypie is which is a small hint of my favorite team. My displeasure with Ryan Wilson is the fact that he hates any player that hits and plays with grit and throws the b.s. about how the corsi % skill player is a proven winner. Mocks 4th lines with players like Martin and Acciari etc even though they prove their worth over and over. Don't really care about Babcock but for this guy to call him a fraud is a joke. Gardiner was hurt but he should have played more ? Mocks Komarov who just stifled Malkin and Polack who averaged over 19 minutes a game in his teams first round victory. I guess playoff results don't matter only Corsi stats.

Why did Yzerman and Shanahan both hand pick him to coach their teams? That seems odd, since having played for him, they both would have experienced first hand how bad he was. It's strange. I ask myself who's judgement is more credible; Yzerman and Shanahan, or this blogger and Mike Commodore.
- Zezel

One reason they hired him would most likely be fan pressure. Fans think he is the greatest because they only look at the wins-loses record, not the circumstances behind those wins and loses. If they had picked a different coach the fans would have been pissed. Plus neither Yzerman or Shanahan played for him all that much so I'm not sure if they have much first hand knowledge of how average he really is. But the proof is in the numbers. He has a history of teams under achieving and exiting in the early rounds of the playoffs.

One reason they hired him would most likely be fan pressure. Fans think he is the greatest because they only look at the wins-loses record, not the circumstances behind those wins and loses. If they had picked a different coach the fans would have been pissed. Plus neither Yzerman or Shanahan played for him all that much so I'm not sure if they have much first hand knowledge of how average he really is. But the proof is in the numbers. He has a history of teams under achieving and exiting in the early rounds of the playoffs.
- HabandWingfan

I don't know, I doubt either of those guys made a decision for Team Canada and the Leafs because of fan pressure. I find that to be simply not believable. Their own reps and jobs are on the line too. And both guys are hall of fame multi time champions, I doubt they hired Babs because they had the wrong impression of him, that's a reach.

Marner gets the most ice of forwards. He's hardly a veteran.

Matthews doesn't kill penalties.

Rielly and hainsey were one of the best d pairings in the NHL.
- Njuice

By what metrics?

Oh you hit it right on the head. Only thing is I have been a bruin fan since 1967. Actually saw the greatest of all time in person. You probably don't know who Johnnypie is which is a small hint of my favorite team. My displeasure with Ryan Wilson is the fact that he hates any player that hits and plays with grit and throws the b.s. about how the corsi % skill player is a proven winner. Mocks 4th lines with players like Martin and Acciari etc even though they prove their worth over and over. Don't really care about Babcock but for this guy to call him a fraud is a joke. Gardiner was hurt but he should have played more ? Mocks Komarov who just stifled Malkin and Polack who averaged over 19 minutes a game in his teams first round victory. I guess playoff results don't matter only Corsi stats.
- johnnypie

Hit the (frank)ing return button.

Honest question, you guys surprised he didn’t shït on Fleury at some point during this blog for letting up 4 goals in 4 minutes? I mean, isn’t your goalie supposed to make the big save at the right time? He had FOUR opportunities to make that one save the team needed. He’s supposed to be the best penalty killer right?

Honest question, you guys surprised he didn’t shït on Fleury at some point during this blog for letting up 4 goals in 4 minutes? I mean, isn’t your goalie supposed to make the big save at the right time? He had FOUR opportunities to make that one save the team needed. He’s supposed to be the best penalty killer right?
- j.boyd919

I'm going to sound like a Fleury apologist for a moment, but I re-watched those goals. Two of those goals were not on him. Vegas did a terrible job of clearing bodies away from Fleury and he couldn't see anything.

But yes, I'm shocked he didn't poop on Fleury.

I'm going to sound like a Fleury apologist for a moment, but I re-watched those goals. Two of those goals were not on him. Vegas did a terrible job of clearing bodies away from Fleury and he couldn't see anything.

But yes, I'm shocked he didn't poop on Fleury.
- Rinosaur

Oh I don’t actually think it was a Fleury melt down. I was just trolling all the guys with flowers petal in their mouth.

By what metrics?
- j.boyd919

Very impressive. Is this where you break out your stat spread sheet with all the important factors that make a great player, zone entry % time, first man out of the zone, best pass % from behind the net etc. You obviously can't measure desire and player intangibles on your little stat line.


Looks like that physical Cap team with that worthless brute Tom Wilson might be moving on . Wonder what metrics were used ?

Very impressive. Is this where you break out your stat spread sheet with all the important factors that make a great player, zone entry % time, first man out of the zone, best pass % from behind the net etc. You obviously can't measure desire and player intangibles on your little stat line.


Looks like that physical Cap team with that worthless brute Tom Wilson might be moving on . Wonder what metrics were used ?
- johnnypie

Dude have you been watching this Caps team? Man are they a well coached team. I think it’s the Blues cup to lose they look good

Anyone here with access to Pittsburgh Hockey Now? Dan Kingerski has an article up about a potential trade.

Thanks

Anyone here with access to Pittsburgh Hockey Now? Dan Kingerski has an article up about a potential trade.

Thanks
- Barnaby36

No, but I did just stay at a holiday inn Express.

We're really going down this road again LeafNation? Really???? The premature fire this guy, fire that guy...trade that guy. I don't know exactly which blow to the head put me in a coma, but quite obviously I missed 2 years somewhere while everyone else ramped up their expectations on this team seemingly overnight. If you wonder how a team can go 51 years and counting without a championship...READ THIS AGAIN.

No, but I did just stay at a holiday inn Express.
- Guile

I legitimately laughed out loud hard

Jordo!

Anyone here with access to Pittsburgh Hockey Now? Dan Kingerski has an article up about a potential trade.

Thanks
- Barnaby36

I don't, but Mackey had a column today stating the Pens are going to consider big changes. Players like Kessel, Geno and Letang and everybody including ownership is involved. Kingerski is probably just speculating about the possibilities.

I highly, highly doubt you'll see Geno or Letang involved in any trades. I think Yohe's article is much more plausible.

Considering we have some contracts that might be impossible to move, I think Maatta is gone. Kessel is possibly gone considering they were taking offers last year. Rust is also a viable candidate to be moved.