Ryan Wilson: Sullivan can't stop going to the well Sullivan can't stop going to the well

So wait...are you saying you don't like Jack Johnson? Just trying to make sure I understand, because I can't remember you not liking him before.

Again, as important as defensemen are, especially the top-4, Jack Johnson is not the reason the Penguins are down 3-0. With the system being employed by both coaches, anything short of 6 Nick Lidstroms on defense wouldn't change things.

And while it's far from optimal, and was beyond surprising that it happened, this team won a Stanley Cup with Ron Hainsey not only being a top-4 player, but on the top pair, and without Letang. Again, it's not a great recipe for success, but it can be done.

Yes, Jack Johnson is not an optimal top-4 defenseman, or even an optimal top-6. We get it. But maybe if the coach and players deviated from their need to control zone exits and entries and forcing the puck into places that are occupied, they'd...score, maybe???

Maybe if Matt Murray provided more than average (at best so far) goaltending, they could have stolen Game 1?

Maybe if Crosby (yes, I know, #boardwork) could be the best player in the world, they'd be able to help out with the defensive shortcomings.

This team was never going to be a defensive juggernaut, they were going to win by outscoring their defensive shortcomings. Well, the current plan to do so isn't working. It's not judgement day. Maybe try to change things up? Can it be much worse than the current plan?

I’m just here for the JJ rage

I think as bad as JJ has been, and he's been bad most of his career, this series came down to coaching and Trotz is totally working Sullivan over for the 2nd year in a row.

As has been said previously the coach and GM do not appear on the same page and it's showing up big time in the playoffs.

[edited for a comma]

I think as bad as JJ has been, and he's been bad most of his career, this series came down to coaching and Trotz is totally working Sullivan over for the 2nd year in a row.

As has been said previously the coach and GM do not appear on the same page and it's showing up big time in the playoffs.


- iworkatinitech[edited for a comma]

Bylsma 2.0

I’m just here for the JJ rage
- FinnGod

They schedule Svechnikov's memorial service yet?

They schedule Svechnikov's memorial service yet?
- Feds91Stammer

We need to find the human remains first so Evgeni has something to bury.

Bylsma 2.0
- Feds91Stammer

hahaha It's unreal...its actually f'n maddening that he morphed into this.

"Do you make Sidney Cros… haha that will never happen he has Letang"

This made me chuckle....its so sad and true, its funny.

I think as bad as JJ has been, and he's been bad most of his career, this series came down to coaching and Trotz is totally working Sullivan over for the 2nd year in a row.

As has been said previously the coach and GM do not appear on the same page and it's showing up big time in the playoffs.


- iworkatinitech[edited for a comma]

hahaha

hahaha It's unreal...its actually f'n maddening that he morphed into this.
- MattStrat

It's been a year-long downward trajectory, maybe more than a year. It's painful to watch his blasé attitude also...His success was so evident in speed, just play, etc mantra's and then he morphed into this micro-managing manner and the GM hasn't given him replacement pieces.

Not trying to relive the past but since the 2nd cup the team D has been declining in quality substantially. Pair that with his constant forward line shuffling negating any hot lines consistency gained and here we are.

Bylsma 2.0
- Feds91Stammer

I’ve been saying that for a while. Bylsma tried turning a skilled team into a dump-and-chase team... square peg round hole. He refuses to adapt his strategy.

Here we are again. A stubborn coach who refuses to adapt.

It's been a year-long downward trajectory, maybe more than a year. It's painful to watch his blasé attitude also...His success was so evident in speed, just play, etc mantra's and then he morphed into this micro-managing manner and the GM hasn't given him replacement pieces.

Not trying to relive the past but since the 2nd cup the team D has been declining in quality substantially. Pair that with his constant forward line shuffling negating any hot lines consistency gained and here we are.
- iworkatinitech

Yeah, its nuts.

I still dont understand all the rearranging of the forwards for game 1 and after, when finally we had lines that were working. The 3rd line might not of been producing like crazy but they were getting boat loads of chances and keeping puck in the opponents zone for long periods of time....then they dont even start the playoffs together haha. I guess it was to spread out the scoring with Kessel on the 3rd line but still, why F with things that were working.

Yeah, its nuts.

I still dont understand all the rearranging of the forwards for game 1 and after, when finally we had lines that were working. The 3rd line might not of been producing like crazy but they were getting boat loads of chances and keeping puck in the opponents zone for long periods of time....then they dont even start the playoffs together haha. I guess it was to spread out the scoring with Kessel on the 3rd line but still, why F with things that were working.
- MattStrat

To me I read that as a sign of desperation from the coach...he had HBK win him a cup, when he was mostly outcoached throughout the playoffs. So now he's seeing his team isn't a juggernaut so he's reverting back to the thing he thinks ensured his success. That's scary because everyone on this board has pointed out that there were a handful of players that had career years during those runs, as well as the insanely how shooting percentages.

I think this team has had all the success it will have in the playoffs with this coach and hoping for much (if any) more is delusional. Not that the team can't win but that the coach won't just let the players play.

I’ve been saying that for a while. Bylsma tried turning a skilled team into a dump-and-chase team... square peg round hole. He refuses to adapt his strategy.

Here we are again. A stubborn coach who refuses to adapt.
- Rinosaur

Except that this time, to beat this team, you have to switch from a speed team to a dump and chase team.

at this point im almost believing Sullivan is just playing JJ to show Rutherford he has to get rid of him come offseason.

I know its not true but I rather believe this than the alternative.

To me I read that as a sign of desperation from the coach...he had HBK win him a cup, when he was mostly outcoached throughout the playoffs. So now he's seeing his team isn't a juggernaut so he's reverting back to the thing he thinks ensured his success. That's scary because everyone on this board has pointed out that there were a handful of players that had career years during those runs, as well as the insanely how shooting percentages.

I think this team has had all the success it will have in the playoffs with this coach and hoping for much (if any) more is delusional. Not that the team can't win but that the coach won't just let the players play.
- iworkatinitech

He definitely was not out coached in the first cup run. He made several adjustments especially in the conference finals to slow down the Lightning in the last 3 games in the NZ and that was when I has faith in him most. Seeing adjustments from the team and seeing them work. But I haven’t seen that in the last few seasons even going back to the 2nd cup.

At the possibility of "Stupid Flyerz fans fights rawr rawr" type replies...if you're Sullivan, would you see if Gudbranson would go with Martin? Seemed to work for Talbot vs. Carcillo in 2009.

I mean if we’re losing why the (frank) not? Won’t do any harm, I just doubt it’ll do any good either. But given how this series is going Gudbranson would probably lose and make everything even more depressing.

He definitely was not out coached in the first cup run. He made several adjustments especially in the conference finals to slow down the Lightning in the last 3 games in the NZ and that was when I has faith in him most. Seeing adjustments from the team and seeing them work. But I haven’t seen that in the last few seasons even going back to the 2nd cup.
- j.boyd919

Yeah I agree with what you said here and lets not forget that he came in whipped these guys into shape that year. They were 12th in the east in February after the Mike Johnston debacle, and he took them all the way.

He definitely was not out coached in the first cup run. He made several adjustments especially in the conference finals to slow down the Lightning in the last 3 games in the NZ and that was when I has faith in him most. Seeing adjustments from the team and seeing them work. But I haven’t seen that in the last few seasons even going back to the 2nd cup.
- j.boyd919

This is pretty common in human nature once somebody has a good deal of success. They start believing the press clippings and fail to make the required changes and adjustments to stay on top. Bylsma never thought another team had the capability to stop his team through strategy.

It's funny as I'm typing this, they just had a clip of Sullivan saying he doesn't think he needs to change the way the Penguins play. It's almost identical to Bylsma's approach. Not giving the other team credit for effectively countering how his team plays.

I mean if we’re losing why the (frank) not? Won’t do any harm, I just doubt it’ll do any good either. But given how this series is going Gudbranson would probably lose and make everything even more depressing.
- Victoro311

Well I mean, all Talbot did was get punched a bunch of times, but apparently that got the Pens going.

This is pretty common in human nature once somebody has a good deal of success. They start believing the press clippings and fail to make the required changes and adjustments to stay on top. Bylsma never thought another team had the capability to stop his team through strategy.

It's funny as I'm typing this, they just had a clip of Sullivan saying he doesn't think he needs to change the way the Penguins play. It's almost identical to Bylsma's approach. Not giving the other team credit for effectively countering how his team plays.
- madmike71

And here, I'd expected he would publicly lay out exactly what his plan to change was for the whole world to hear.

After Sunday’s disappearing act what Pens team shows up tonight? Win tonight and live another day. Lose and get swept in the first round, expect major changes.

And here, I'd expected he would publicly lay out exactly what his plan to change was for the whole world to hear.
- jmatchett383

You think the Pens are going to make some dramatic systemic changes tonight?