Thanks for the insight. Yikes if he doesn't like Marino, might mean he's being shipped out at a low point in his value. The PP stuff I don't believe he'd be married to but who knows. What does he do with the bottom 6 that is bad? Usage? Isn't bottom 6 makeup usually the FO's responsibility?
I feel like Pitt has been in a pretty unique situation the past 4 years, not sure how much pull the (varied) FOs / veterans have over things he's done.
Mike Sullivan's approach to the bottom six is basically bury the 3rd and 4th line in as much defensive zone starts as possible with defensive minded guys who will play the other team to a draw. The idea being that the offensive forward will then be given the cake walk minutes.
The issue with this concept is he consistently relies on veterans regardless of what their on ice performance is like. Looking at New Jersey's roster last year the bottom six would've definitely seen Nosek, Tierney, and Lazar playing 82 games and significant minutes.
Heading into camp last year we had Samuel Poulin and Valtteri Puustinen looking great in preseason. Sullivan chose to play Jansen Harkins over both and frequently comments how Harkins - Acciari - Carter was "the identity line" for the team. Harkins had 4 assists in 40+ games. Puustinen was called up due to an injury. He finished the season with 20 points in 52 games.
PIT's veteran core has been part of the issue the last few years, but ask any Penguins fan on HF and Mike Sullivan is the # 1 culpert to why they've lacked success. The same issues have been present since their exit against Montreal. They can't keep leads, they have an ineffective powerplay, and they are absolute against infusing youth.
I would agree with you about Marino. There was a lot of rumors that year and summer about the relationship Marino had with the coaching staff. Now, that could've been with Reirden over Sullivan, but ultimately, I believe it lays at the foot of the head coach regardless and it's a story we've seen several times over the years with "fringe" players that show positives, but then suddenly seem to look worse the longer they stay with the Penguins. Kessel, Sprong, Kahun, Marino, there have been several examples and I don't think the players are without fault, but it does seem like Sullivan's approach wears on some.
Since being traded Guentzel has mentioned without encourgagement how great it is to be under a great coach in Carolina if you want more biased fuel for the fire from a noted Sullivan hater.