It is ridiculous that Sprong only saw 4 minutes and change. Sullivan probably blamed him for the Debrusk goal, a shot Jarry obviously blew. It was basically his only mistake in an otherwise brilliant performance. But clearly, Sprong was blamed and stapled to the bench again. This has to stop.
JR did a great move with the Pearson acquisition. We finally have a great second line with all three players on the line capable of scoring goals when set up. So obviously, Sullivan is now sabotaging Crosby's line with a player who cannot score. His love for the penalty-killing forward is completely out of control. Our PK was never an issue, and it still is not an issue despite the fact that the golden one is now in LA.
We needed a second goal last night, and Rust was the one getting all the chances. We lose 2-1. That loss is on the coach, sorry.
I get his hate for Sprong, it is clear as day and obvious. Sprong is not Sullivan's cup of tea, and he would rather lose with Rust than win with a player he hates (on principle). HOWEVER, how was Simon not given more ice time in the third period? He is NOT in the dog house, as far as we know. He was on a serious roll before Sullivan elected to make more line changes after Crosby returned from injury. Simon should have never left Crosby's wing. It can be argued that Simon is the winger with the most chemistry with Crosby on this team. He complements 87 perfectly. Yeah he differs a bit too much, and should shoot the puck more, but overall he is fine there when a shooter like Guentzel is on the other wing. AND, he is more comfortable at RW than Guentzel is, so the line of Guentzel-Crosby-Simon works on so many levels. Instead, he decided to go back to the veteran RW that Crosby hates playing with, and then when HE went down Rust was the replacement. So basically, our three best RW options to play with Crosby (Simon, Sprong and Kessel) were snubbed in favor of a player with one goal on the season.
So, it looks like JR has to take away Sullivan's other toys as well. Hagelin gone. Wilson sent back down. The next to go have to be Rust, and either Sheahan or Grant. Then MAYBE the coach will finally understand what the GM already knows: that this team NEEDS young, cheap productive players with our salary cap situation. Both Simon and Sprong are on sweetheart contracts right now, but it matters none if the coach won't maximize their talents.
Therefore, instead of taking away more toys, maybe JR should first just take away the coach. It's probably easier.
Besides, on many nights this season we have resembled the 2008-09 Pens under Therrien, and also the 2015-16 Pens under Johnston. Lifeless, uninterested, as if the message is no longer getting through.
Time for change.
