We all know the Einstein quote about insanity. I feel like changes are coming this time. Too much talk about it. Please owners...please don't let this season be in vein. To ignore the problem is to grow the problem. It's a cancer...it must be stopped and destroyed.
The real question here is...how much does management want to change things? If management is looking for a scapegoat...they will find many. It will be easy. If they want the change they have to start by looking deed inside themselves. What kind of culture have they bred in the organization? Are they responsible for enabling such behaviors? I believe they are. I believe they want the country club / family atmosphere / exceptionalism atmosphere. THAT is where this rebuild (yes rebuild) needs to start.
This team can no longer be a family. The coaches can no longer be friends. This can no longer be a 9-5, 40hr/wk job team. No more ring the bell, get food.
This summer needs to be "The Summer of Hurt Feelings". At it starts at the top.
Lemieux, Burkle, etc all need to admit to the failures and dedicate themselves to fixing it.
I will give Shero the benefit of the doubt one last time. He gets one last off season, season, TDL to fix this mess. One more flameout, bu-bye.
Sorry Dan. I know everyone likes you but you have to go. This is long overdue and should NOT be unexpected. You know it, the players know it, the organization knows it, the media knows it, and the fans know it. This needs to happen in the worst way. I can not stress how important it is to remove Bylsma and the other assistants, save for Martin, from this team. Every bit of Bylsma needs to be removed from this organization and that includes in WBS. Stricken from the records, out of site out of mind, gone forever. Good ****in riddens.
Next the players. We all know we need to keep Sid and Geno. That should be, if not already, a given. No other way to put it. They stay.
The only other player that should be untouchable is Olli Maatta. Yes he was mediocre down the stretch but there is too much upside to the kid. Save for a 1:1 for a MacKinnon like deal...he stays.
Here's where it gets tough (for the organization at least). You need to take guys aside and lay it out. Kunitz...you are getting old but you compliment Sid well. Although you were awful in the post season you need to pick it up or else you will be asked to waive your NTC.
Dupuis. I know you and Sid are besties and room together and like to play together...but it no longer gets the job done the way it needs to get done. You will be put in the 3rd line never to reach the Top 6 again. If you take issue with that, you can ask to be traded and we will gladly, gladly, GLADLY oblige. In fact, if there is a deal to be made...you WILL be asked to waive. If not, you may be asked to report to WBS. I know you are a vocal leader and everyone likes you...but guess what, leaders have failed the last 5 years. Your leadership is clearly not as great as you think it is.
Neal. You're a former 40 goal scorer that completely disappeared in the playoffs while your questionable Cooke-esque behavior increased. Although you are on a sweet deal for us, if the right deal comes along, bu-bye. I know you're besties with Geno...but thems the breaks.
Jokinen. You were a steal for the cap hit but I do not believe 1. we will be able to justify your salary and 2. there will be a logical spot for you on next years roster. Thank you for the goals, we wish you the best.
Sutter. You went from ***** to beast. We need it on a regular basis at a reasonable cap hit. You want $4mil we will make the trade. You are not Staal, you are not what the bottom 6 truly needs, and due to your great post season your trade value is at an all time high. If the right deal comes around, thanks for the memories we wish you well.
Bennett. You are our one and only offensive prospect. You do a lot of things right but there are still huge questions. If the right deal comes along, pack your bags. If not, you will start on the 3rd line. Prove you belong elsewhere. As a free gift we will put you on your correct side.
Glass. GTFO. You WILL NOT be resigned. Start looking elsewhere. There will be no further discussion.
Adams. The only reason why you were on the team was because you were a pet player of the former coach. You will not be on the roster next year. If you are, it will be as the 14-16th guy. If that's ok with you great. If not we will seek a trade or waive you. Your leadership clearly is not working and is quite honestly a joke all things considered. Your PK speciality can be replaced.
Megna. There is promise with you. Please be patient in WBS, rock our socks off when you're called up.
Gibbons. See Megna. I love your speed on the PK. You can be lethal. You and Megna shall battle for a 4th line spot. When you get the opportunities, make the most of them.
Vitale. You are the ideal 4C. You will be back. Keep bringing the energy.
Martin. Thank you for being a rock this year.
Letang. You are perhaps the biggest question mark on the team. At times you justify your future contract. Other times you barely look like a NHLer. We need more. We need more consistency. Right now you have among the highest trade value on the team. I know Shero promised he wouldn't trade you...but things have changed. The team needs change and if there is an opportunity to make the team better by shipping you out, thanks for the memories, no hard feelings.
Orpik. You will not be back. Go away. Good luck with the knee.
Scuderi. I know we just signed you, I know it was a mistake letting you go, and I know you played well before the injury. But right now you are one of the most expensive mistakes on the roster and with the prospect pool at D we have, it makes little sense to hang on to you. We will try to trade you for a pick to a team that can utilize you. Thanks for 09.
Bortuzzo. You will take Orpik's place.
Despres. Thank you for your patience. You will be on the roster next year.
Maatta. Outstanding rookie year.
Niskanen. I really, really, REALLY hope you consider coming back at a cost we can afford. You were a rock this year. We want, we need you back.
Fleury. After so many post season flubs you are on the hot seat as much as anyone. If we can find a taker for you, we will. The goalie market is flooded right now. I know you have a lot of friends here but change is needed and you are one of the biggest question marks every post season. We need more. Thanks for the memories, no hard feelings.
Zatkoff. Dear god dude.
Vokoun. I wish you the very, VERY best of health. We will be moving on.
NO ONE should be immune this off season except Sid, Geno, and Maatta. No more keeping people around because they are leaders, because they have friends on the team, or because people like playing with them. That needs to end right now. Right now! I don't care about NTC or handshake deals or your Pittsburgh legacy. Right now that should all mean absolute ****. If you piss people off or hurt anyone's feelings TOO FICKING BAD! Time for hugs and kisses and cuddles is done. It's over. From top to bottom.
When looking at new players, think youth and size. Gotta give to get. This coming draft...if Shero takes a defenseman in the 1st round he needs to be fired in the worst, most painful way imaginable. With that, check your scouts. We never find the late round jems. Hire a scout or two from Detroit if you have to. But for the love of God get a few decent forward/wing prospects. It a crippling shortcoming of this organization. Instead of Hurtles, Ninos, Coyles, Nyquists, Jurcos, Manthas, etc...we have Bennett...Gibbons...Harry Z...Kobasew.
Speak of which, NO MORE RECLAMATION PROJECTS! No more Kobasews, DAgis, Comries, Parks, etc. Youth. Sign youth. Scout the NCAA games and poach some tough young college guys...not some broken down vet.
This rebuild requires the dedication from everyone top to bottom. If Sid or Geno ain't down with it, you MAKE them down with it. That is what Lemieux, Shero, and the new coach (WHO IS NOT NOT NOT!!!! BYLSMA!) should be doing. On the flip side, bring in people Sid can play with. No more Gibbons, no more Dupuis, Guerins, etc. It doesn't work, the team needs the change, and Sid more than anyone needs the change. Let him pout...but dear god get him a winger.
In doing so we need the Shero of 06-08. The guy who will go out and make the moves. The daring moves, the bold moves, the shocking moves, the high risk moves. Not the dumb ones. Not the blysma, Kunitz, Dupuis, Glass, Adams, Letang extension moves. The blockbuster bring in Ron Francis and Ulf moves. The bring in Hossa moves. And again...don't be afraid to hurt some feeling doing it. If you're NOT hurting feelings, you're doing it WRONG!
I will have to do some serious thinking about some potential moves but off the top of my head, Kane/Wheeler/Ladd/Kulemin/ROR/ should be in the forefront. Consider Steve Downie...or check with Minnasota and see if we can snag Cooke back. Maybe send over a significant piece and get Coyle back too?
Too many options, too many potential signings, too many potential trades to make 1-2 minor moves. Get the word out that the roster is available and see who calls. Who knows what other GMs might want. But you gotta put your dick out there and not be afraid to get it slapped or chopped off. Grow some balls.
But first and foremost, GET RID OF DAN BYLSMA and make it absolutely clear that NO ONE is safe.
Next season there should be no guarenteed spots. That **** is done and has been way, way, WAY past due. Adams I don't give a **** what you do or what you say or who likes you...you had no business on this roster for the vast majority of the season. You and Glass both. Those days need to be done. Make it clear to the new coach that pet players aside from Sid or Geno will not be tolerated.
Time to nut up or shut up. Time to establish ourselves for the present and the future. Don't let this season be in vein. Everyone deserves more. Owners need more, Management needs more, the players need more, and the fans need more. Start it tomorrow. Keep pushing and never get comfortable until there is another Cup on the shelf. The price of greatness is eternal vigilance.
Make it happen.