So Madden's latest rumor... Dubas want's to make changes with the assistant coaches and Sully doesn't want to do that.

I guess that's from Seravelli not Madden.

So Madden's latest rumor... Dubas want's to make changes with the assistant coaches and Sully doesn't want to do that.

I guess that's from Seravelli not Madden.
- madmike71

Well a mutual parting of ways is one way to get a coaching change.

Whoever said arvidson would be a a player we could really use, was absolutely correct. Feisty little guy.

So Madden's latest rumor... Dubas want's to make changes with the assistant coaches and Sully doesn't want to do that.

I guess that's from Seravelli not Madden.
- madmike71

First Dubas leaves Hinostroza and Zohorna in WBS in favor of Puustinen, Gruden and Poulin. Although he did eventually replace Poulin with Zohorna.

Second, he doesn't renew the AHL coaches. A bit of a surprise as they made the playoffs.

Now a rumor, and it is just a rumor, Dubas wants to shake up the coaches at the NHL level.

Sullivan sees the writing on the wall. He may want to leave.

We've all heard the New Jersey rumor. I also saw an article connecting him to Ottawa. Matt, I did not read the article, I don't know if it was an opinion of a writer. Or if it's something altogether different.

First Dubas leaves Hinostroza and Zohorna in WBS in favor of Puustinen, Gruden and Poulin. Although he did eventually replace Poulin with Zohorna.

Second, he doesn't renew the AHL coaches. A bit of a surprise as they made the playoffs.

Now a rumor, and it is just a rumor, Dubas wants to shake up the coaches at the NHL level.

Sullivan sees the writing on the wall. He may want to leave.

We've all heard the New Jersey rumor. I also saw an article connecting him to Ottawa. Matt, I did not read the article, I don't know if it was an opinion of a writer. Or if it's something altogether different.
- Thunderbolt

hahahah no sweat, bud

I think I just like to root for the teams Pens have had good battles with once the Pens are eliminated. That and Guentzel playing up bullpoop to the media like a child just makes me want to see him fail.
- Grinder47

See, I understood why you respected them a lot back about 4 or 5 years ago when they had Trotz at the helm. They played stingy tight checking D as a 5 man unit, low event, cycle down low hockey that I know that you love. They were a defensive juggernaut. However, they haven't been like that now in several years...but your love remains.

First Dubas leaves Hinostroza and Zohorna in WBS in favor of Puustinen, Gruden and Poulin. Although he did eventually replace Poulin with Zohorna.

Second, he doesn't renew the AHL coaches. A bit of a surprise as they made the playoffs.

Now a rumor, and it is just a rumor, Dubas wants to shake up the coaches at the NHL level.

Sullivan sees the writing on the wall. He may want to leave.

We've all heard the New Jersey rumor. I also saw an article connecting him to Ottawa. Matt, I did not read the article, I don't know if it was an opinion of a writer. Or if it's something altogether different.
- Thunderbolt

So this basically implies that Dubas has been playing a brilliant long game.

1. FSG runs teams as a business... dollars matter. Previous regime signed an underperforming coach to a bad extension. Dubas decides its time for him to go.

2. Dubas continually pumps Sully in the media while he is obviously failing. Effort to maintain value and high perception of Sully, he even blames performance on himself (he owns some blame but the coaching staff completely failed).

3. Now, Dubas starts making changes to poke at Sully. Roster moves, WBS coaching staff, likely the Pens big league staff... who knows what else. Strategy - get Sully to think the pasture might be greener on the other side.

4. Get a rumor going about a team being interested in trading for Sully and immediately denying it... Implies - "he's too valuable to let go".

5. Either trade him or now do a messy firing knowing that there are teams that would be attractive to Sully (Jersey, potentially the Lightning, who knows where else). If you can't figure out a trade, and fire him, you are betting that he is going to sign right away with a new team for a similar value, so you don't end up owing him anything.

If I were a gambling man, Id bet that if Sully gets fired he goes and immediately gets another job over him being able to lead this team back into relevancy this year.

See, I understood why you respected them a lot back about 4 or 5 years ago when they had Trotz at the helm. They played stingy tight checking D as a 5 man unit, low event, cycle down low hockey that I know that you love. They were a defensive juggernaut. However, they haven't been like that now in several years...but your love remains.
- MattStrat

Like I said. Just want to see Guentzel fail more than anything. He’s a little female dog.

So this basically implies that Dubas has been playing a brilliant long game.

1. FSG runs teams as a business... dollars matter. Previous regime signed an underperforming coach to a bad extension. Dubas decides its time for him to go.

2. Dubas continually pumps Sully in the media while he is obviously failing. Effort to maintain value and high perception of Sully, he even blames performance on himself (he owns some blame but the coaching staff completely failed).

3. Now, Dubas starts making changes to poke at Sully. Roster moves, WBS coaching staff, likely the Pens big league staff... who knows what else. Strategy - get Sully to think the pasture might be greener on the other side.

4. Get a rumor going about a team being interested in trading for Sully and immediately denying it... Implies - "he's too valuable to let go".

5. Either trade him or now do a messy firing knowing that there are teams that would be attractive to Sully (Jersey, potentially the Lightning, who knows where else). If you can't figure out a trade, and fire him, you are betting that he is going to sign right away with a new team for a similar value, so you don't end up owing him anything.

If I were a gambling man, Id bet that if Sully gets fired he goes and immediately gets another job over him being able to lead this team back into relevancy this year.
- MacPatty

A while back someone asked the board here 'How long before Sullivan is let go?"

I said he was safe for one year. I'm not sure anymore. It looks to me like Dubas is putting his plan in place and making it clear to Sullivan, either jump on board or I'll get someone else.

IMO, the days of Dubas and Sullivan working together ended when Dubas stood in front of a podium at the TDL and said, 'we need to get younger.'

So this basically implies that Dubas has been playing a brilliant long game.

1. FSG runs teams as a business... dollars matter. Previous regime signed an underperforming coach to a bad extension. Dubas decides its time for him to go.

2. Dubas continually pumps Sully in the media while he is obviously failing. Effort to maintain value and high perception of Sully, he even blames performance on himself (he owns some blame but the coaching staff completely failed).

3. Now, Dubas starts making changes to poke at Sully. Roster moves, WBS coaching staff, likely the Pens big league staff... who knows what else. Strategy - get Sully to think the pasture might be greener on the other side.

4. Get a rumor going about a team being interested in trading for Sully and immediately denying it... Implies - "he's too valuable to let go".

5. Either trade him or now do a messy firing knowing that there are teams that would be attractive to Sully (Jersey, potentially the Lightning, who knows where else). If you can't figure out a trade, and fire him, you are betting that he is going to sign right away with a new team for a similar value, so you don't end up owing him anything.

If I were a gambling man, Id bet that if Sully gets fired he goes and immediately gets another job over him being able to lead this team back into relevancy this year.
- MacPatty

John Henry himself signed Sully to a 3 year extension that kicks in this year. They didn't even tell Hextall they were doing it lol. Obviously the Boston connection.

I'm starting to wonder if there's some validity to what you're saying. Getting Sully to opt-out of Pittsburgh and not come off as the the bad guy. Can they even trade coaches any more?

Probably not related, but It was just reported last night that FSG fired a bunch of executives from the business office.

Like I said. Just want to see Guentzel fail more than anything. He’s a little female dog.
- Grinder47

Hahaha okay okay

Hahaha okay okay
- MattStrat

Wonder if Rempe knocks him out of the series? The hockey world would implode.

Like I said. Just want to see Guentzel fail more than anything. He’s a little female dog.
- Grinder47

I don't care if he fails or succeeds, but I am curious to see how it goes. He has quite a lot of money on the line here. I am perfectly happy moving on without him but the more he struggles, the cheaper he becomes in the offseason.

I don't care if he fails or succeeds, but I am curious to see how it goes. He has quite a lot of money on the line here. I am perfectly happy moving on without him but the more he struggles, the cheaper he becomes in the offseason.
- MacPatty

He’s not needed in Pittsburgh.

Max Domi is the best player on the ice in this Leafs Bruins game.

Sullivan to the Devils for Graves and a 1st.

Sullivan to the Devils for Graves and a 1st.
- drummer829

I would rather Sullivan, Karlsson and our 2025 1st for Brady Tkachuk from the Senators.

Sullivan to the Devils for Graves and a 1st.
- drummer829

Sullivan & Graves to the Devils for a 1st?
Or
Sullivan, Graves & a 1st for nothing?

Todd Reirden is gone

So if the rumored disagreement between Sully and Dubas was true, Dubas takes this round I have no idea how anyone could defend Reirden. Clear his two areas of the team were disasters this season.

More importantly - are we one more Boston loss away from new head coach of the Bruins, Mike Sullivan? I dont know if he'd want to coach his son-in-law, but it would be an interesting opportunity if Boston came calling.

Adios Reirden, don't let the door hit ya where the good lord split ya.

Dubas got his way. Rierden gone.

Not enough. If Sullivan is staying I want BBQ Bruce on the staff yesterday

Todd Reirden is gone

So if the rumored disagreement between Sully and Dubas was true, Dubas takes this round I have no idea how anyone could defend Reirden. Clear his two areas of the team were disasters this season.

More importantly - are we one more Boston loss away from new head coach of the Bruins, Mike Sullivan? I dont know if he'd want to coach his son-in-law, but it would be an interesting opportunity if Boston came calling.
- SuperHenderson13

He coached Sheary for years.

Todd Reirden is gone

So if the rumored disagreement between Sully and Dubas was true, Dubas takes this round I have no idea how anyone could defend Reirden. Clear his two areas of the team were disasters this season.

More importantly - are we one more Boston loss away from new head coach of the Bruins, Mike Sullivan? I dont know if he'd want to coach his son-in-law, but it would be an interesting opportunity if Boston came calling.
- SuperHenderson13

Boston already fired him once.

Edit: Sullivan.

Todd Reirden is gone

So if the rumored disagreement between Sully and Dubas was true, Dubas takes this round I have no idea how anyone could defend Reirden. Clear his two areas of the team were disasters this season.

More importantly - are we one more Boston loss away from new head coach of the Bruins, Mike Sullivan? I dont know if he'd want to coach his son-in-law, but it would be an interesting opportunity if Boston came calling.
- SuperHenderson13

I feel like Montgomery has super overachieved with that roster. Can't imagine him going anywhere.

Todd Reirden is gone

So if the rumored disagreement between Sully and Dubas was true, Dubas takes this round I have no idea how anyone could defend Reirden. Clear his two areas of the team were disasters this season.

More importantly - are we one more Boston loss away from new head coach of the Bruins, Mike Sullivan? I dont know if he'd want to coach his son-in-law, but it would be an interesting opportunity if Boston came calling.
- SuperHenderson13

Agree with all this. PP and defense both were well below expectations. It's a step they had to take, though not sure it's enough with Sully still in charge.