Post-Game Talk: Pens 2, Bolts 1 - Cup Bound

[HandshakeLine]

That's the narrative non-Pens fans want at least.

 

[td_ice]

ESPN giving hockey analysis is brain numbing. apparently the pens are a whiny team.

They were, but that changed under Sullivan.

That is coming from Rick Tocchet himself in an interview. Tocch basically saying we were constantly whining/barking at the refs, but that Sullivan put a stop to all that.

 

[PensandCaps]

They were, but that changed under Sullivan.

That is coming from Rick Tocchet himself in an interview. Tocch basically saying we were constantly whining/barking at the refs, but that Sullivan put a stop to all that.

Thats what im saying, people dont realize the pens are MUCH different from previous years or even in November of 15. Completely different.

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

Tough to believe the Penguins, as a group, were dense enough to think that would be an effective strategy all those years. It's probably done a lot more harm than good. A lot. It's pretty clear they are much calmer as a team, now. And I really liked Sullivan telling his team to shut the **** up and sit the **** down a few games back.

On another note... I think it's kind of cool that the Penguins and Sharks respective affiliates will be playing for the Kelly Cup in the ECHL. It's been a while since the Nailers have been in a position to win a Championship. Since the Thunderbirds days, actually.

 

[Zen Arcade]

They were, but that changed under Sullivan.

That is coming from Rick Tocchet himself in an interview. Tocch basically saying we were constantly whining/barking at the refs, but that Sullivan put a stop to all that.

It's probably a lot easier to not engage in that sort of thing when you feel like you have an advocate on your side.

This difference in presence between Sullivan and MJ/Bylsma is staggering.

 

[HandshakeLine]

It's probably a lot easier not engage in that sort of thing when you feel like you have an advocate on your side.

This difference in presence between Sullivan and MJ/Bylsma is staggering.

Also there just seems to be a lot more respect for Sullivan than either MJ or Bylsma.

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

It's probably a lot easier not engage in that sort of thing when you feel like you have an advocate on your side.

This difference in presence between Sullivan and MJ/Bylsma is staggering.

Yeah, that's a really good point. It had to be really deflating a lot of the time to have to rely on Dan Bylsma to speak up for your forcefully but eloquently and with purpose. Nevermind the human bucket of wallpaper paste, Mike Johnston. That guy was about as uninspiring as it gets.

 

[td_ice]

It's probably a lot easier not engage in that sort of thing when you feel like you have an advocate on your side.

This difference in presence between Sullivan and MJ/Bylsma is staggering.

Great point!

Agreed.

 

[#66]

Also there just seems to be a lot more respect for Sullivan than either MJ or Bylsma.

The trick to a coach like Sullivan is longevity. Tough coaches never last long... Hope he can walk the fine line between players coach and task master.

 

[td_ice]

Also there just seems to be a lot more respect for Sullivan than either MJ or Bylsma.

Yep....that too.

 

[JTG]

When you see Sullivan laying into guys on the bench because they are chirping too much and doesn't give two ****s less what player it is, that's what you want to see.

Sully is a Torts guy, and Torts is a dick, but one thing Torts does is demand respect. There's no option. You respect him or you ride pine.

 

[Zen Arcade]

From what I've seen from Sullivan in WBS and here, he's not quite in the same mold as someone like Tortorella.

It's possible that losing his jobs in New York and Vancouver in rapid succession along with Torts forced him to reevaluate things and soften his approach a bit.

 

[clefty]

Does anyone have that gif where Sullivan is - relatively calmly - arguing a call with the referee. Then one of the players joins in and Sully turns and just erupts at him?

I saw it on Twitter a while back.

 

[Speaking Moistly]

From what I've seen from Sullivan in WBS and here, he's not quite in the same mold as someone like Tortorella.

It's possible that losing his jobs in New York and Vancouver in rapid succession along with Torts forced him to reevaluate things and soften his approach a bit.

Yeah... Torts is crazy. Sullivan seems like a loud hardass but I can't see him throwing the fits that Torts has. I wouldn't even call him a sane Torts, I think Sullivan is more new school than that.

Jacques Martin might be the unsung hero of this time, though.

 

[xxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

does anyone have that gif where sullivan is - relatively calmly - arguing a call with the referee. Then one of the players joins in and sully turns and just erupts at him?

I saw it on twitter a while back.

The player receiving the verbal eruption was Malkin, if I remember right.

 

[Ogrezilla]

 

[M0NTY26]

I'm not sure how many of you are watching the All Access show on Showtime, but I cannot wait for that to go live.

 

[Malkinstheman]

I'm not sure how many of you are watching the All Access show on Showtime, but I cannot wait for that to go live.

Started watching episode 1 right now and man Cooper is so cool and collected. I was already a big fan but his speech before game 1 was so simple, so relaxed and he was so confident. Compared to Bylsmas random ramblings and awkward pauses it was something else.

 

[Speaking Moistly]

Started watching episode 1 right now and man Cooper is so cool and collected. I was already a big fan but his speech before game 1 was so simple, so relaxed and he was so confident. Compared to Bylsmas random ramblings and awkward pauses it was something else.

Spoiler: Hitchcock swears so much it becomes weird. **** is his awkward pause, apparently.

 

[ColePens]

It's probably a lot easier to not engage in that sort of thing when you feel like you have an advocate on your side.

This difference in presence between Sullivan and MJ/Bylsma is staggering.

Remember when Crosby basically told DB to **** off and DB backed down?

 

[Jacob]

I like how Sullivan doesn't complain about officiating one iota in the media, no matter how bad it gets. That's the complete opposite of Tortorella.

You'd think that with spending 8 years attached to Torts's hip he'd develop similar habits, but it seems like Sullivan's learned from his mistakes more than anything.

 

[mpp9]

Does anyone have that gif where Sullivan is - relatively calmly - arguing a call with the referee. Then one of the players joins in and Sully turns and just erupts at him?

I saw it on Twitter a while back.

https://streamable.com/ovq4

He was yelling at Malkin.

 

[Finesse]

https://streamable.com/ovq4

He was yelling at Malkin.

He's a frightening man when he wants to be.

I think that's probably been good for this team.

 

[mpp9]

I like how Sullivan doesn't complain about officiating one iota in the media, no matter how bad it gets. That's the complete opposite of Tortorella.

You'd think that with spending 8 years attached to Torts's hip he'd develop similar habits, but it seems like Sullivan's learned from his mistakes more than anything.

People will get pissed that he uses the WBS kids alot and rolls 4 lines instead of shortening the bench at times, but I'll take that as his vice.

It may actually pay off quite a bit in the next series as Kessel and Malkin have only been averaging 17 minutes/game. They'll be plenty fresh to go up against a team that's older, slower and relies on its star players far more.

 

[xxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

I think the personnel issue will be resolved by fixing the last remaining problem areas of the roster this summer.

Get rid of Kunitz and land a stud LW (at least one) and Sullivan won't have any toys to misuse.