Pittsburgh Sports Media Gibberish - Part X (Rossi explains it all)

[Honour Over Glory]

Given the (bad) choice between Ron Wilson and Keenan, I'd swallow the lump in my throat and say Hello to USA hockey again.

Ron hasn't coached in the NHL since 2011-12. I remember him losing his **** a lot to the media as well, some hilarious, some not so much. I can't remember the type of coach he was at the moment.

Refresher if you have the time?

http://news.nationalpost.com/2015/0...leafs-coach-ron-wilson-i-just-hate-the-leafs/

Seems like a guy that just changed because of the Leafs Media circus.

 

[billybudd]

Ron hasn't coached in the NHL since 2011-12. I remember him losing his **** a lot to the media as well, some hilarious, some not so much. I can't remember the type of coach he was at the moment.

Refresher if you have the time?

http://news.nationalpost.com/2015/0...leafs-coach-ron-wilson-i-just-hate-the-leafs/

Seems like a guy that just changed because of the Leafs Media circus.

Well, he was right to lose his **** to the media. The questions they used to ask him were jingoistic and ridiculous. Those bozos acted like he was a spy from Nazi Germany with the mission of sabotaging the Canadian way of life. In his hiring interview, some *** hole asked him to see his citizenship papers.

No, I thought he did fine in Toronto, all things considered.

What I don't like about him was his work in Washington and San Jose. But that's still better than anything Keenan did since 94.

 

[Harv]

Jeff O'Neill ‏@odognine2 29m29 minutes ago

Reason #1 I'm not a general manger in the NHL. I'd fire Mike Johnston and hire Randy Carlyle. Tomorrow.

 

[Sidney the Kidney]

Jeff O'Neill ‏@odognine2 29m29 minutes ago

Reason #1 I'm not a general manger in the NHL. I'd fire Mike Johnston and hire Randy Carlyle. Tomorrow.

Reason #2: Jeff O'Neill can't spell manager.

 

[billybudd]

Reason #2: Jeff O'Neill can't spell manager.

Reason #3: the pool of likely available coaches this summer is too good to just hire Randy Carlyle right now

Boucher, possibly Tippett, Hitchcock, Boudreau, that fat whale who coaches the Bruins...definitely one of Babcock/Blashill. They're not all going to work out for their next team and not all will be available, but at least some of them are better than freaking Carlyle and will be looking for a gig.


Reason #4: Carlyle probably isn't even the best bench boss available now. That honor goes to one Peter Deboer

 

[Sidney the Kidney]

Reason #3: the pool of likely available coaches this summer is too good to just hire Randy Carlyle right now

Boucher, possibly Tippett, Hitchcock, Boudreau, that fat whale who coaches the Bruins...definitely one of Babcock/Blashill. They're not all going to work out for their next team and not all will be available, but at least some of them are better than freaking Carlyle and will be.


Reason #4: Carlyle probably isn't even the best bench boss available now. That honor goes to one Peter Deboer

I'll be honest. I'm not even sure it matters who coaches this team -- whether it be Johnston, Bylsma, or any of the other names above -- will matter. There's something seriously wrong with the entire culture of the organization. From the guys up top having no ****ing clue how to build a contender, to the roster we have looking like they don't have a pulse.

Unless they hire a guy like Babcock and give him free run of the roster how he sees fit, and at the same time get rid of alllllll the dead weight on this team, I can see us having this same discussion around the same time next season.

 

[billybudd]

I'll be honest. I'm not even sure it matters who coaches this team -- whether it be Johnston, Bylsma, or any of the other names above -- will matter. There's something seriously wrong with the entire culture of the organization. From the guys up top having no ****ing clue how to build a contender, to the roster we have looking like they don't have a pulse.

Unless they hire a guy like Babcock and give him free run of the roster how he sees fit, and at the same time get rid of alllllll the dead weight on this team, I can see us having this same discussion around the same time next season.

Much as I think Morehouse is a meddler, I don't think the "give free run of the roster" stipulation is all that far-fetched.

There's a lot of front office bloat right now. When we hired Karmanos and promoted Guerin and Fitz, I said the executive structure wasn't sustainable because it encouraged infighting. Too many lateral guys with important titles and not enough people working for them. To me, it's only a matter of time before some of those AGMs go elsewhere.

Karmanos is an unknown to me, but does it seem unlikely that 2 of those guys move on and, say, Guerin and JR would cede some power to Mike Babcock to solve the coaching issue once and for all? I can see it. Neither seems like a control freak.

Of course, that assumes Babcock would even be interested, which is a big if. He does have ties to the region (and our most-prominent player), but we do not have a clear future due to 8 years of drafting with one forward to show for it (and that forward is a Cane). Will the Wings be better or worse than us in three years? I can't answer that.

But even if, for example, it was Hitchcock being interviewed, I might see that carrot being dangled.

 

[Shwag33]

It's funny how so many people want babcock, but he probably has the biggest reputation in the league for NOT playing the young guys.

 

[Asuna]

It's funny how so many people want babcock, but he probably has the biggest reputation in the league for NOT playing the young guys.

This is true. However he gets results. And that's what matters.

 

[Shwag33]

This is true. However he gets results. And that's what matters.

His results aren't that much better than what the pens have accomplished.

Exits:
1st Round
Conference Finals
Cup Champs
Cup Finals
2nd round
2nd round
1st round
2nd round
1st round.


I'm not saying I wouldn't want him, but to act like he'd be a savior... and give 'the people' what they want. I doubt it. Scuderi will still be playing.

 

[drpepper]

DK had two interesting tidbits in his Friday insider

• There is ample discussion in the locker room — not complaining, mind you, at least not yet — that the Penguins’ five-on-five offense is as scripted as any in the NHL. This is true. Johnston regularly runs drills focused on highly specific situations in the attacking zone. Generally, hockey coaches allow offense to be created, albeit within parameters.


• Johnston’s continued support of Chris Kunitz shouldn’t be misconstrued as anything other than what it appears, I’m told. The coach isn’t being influenced on this count at all. In fact, there’s a very good chance the head coach is getting increasingly isolated.

The mention of a scripted offense was interesting because, outside of the normal hockey-isms (pucks to the net, shots from the point, bodies in front, crash the net for rebounds), I didn't think Johnston had an intensive offensive system. The lack of offense may be due to (1) overscripting creative players (Crosby, Malkin) and (2) having the script be an ill-match for the bottom 6 and defensive players (eg Lapierre and Sutter are specialists on the rush and can't really cycle or Martin, Lovejoy, and Scuderi can't really put shots on net)

Sounds like Johnston has staked a bit on Kunitz being able to regain his form which I doubt happens this year.

 

[xxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

Babcock plays vets over young guys? Yeah, so does every single coach in the league.

The fact remains that Babcock's one of the very best at what he does, bar none. He has the legacy/reputation/presence to be able to demand the most out of our players--stars included. He'll keep their attention and they're more likely to buy into what he says than someone like Johnston/Hynes. He'll also hold guys accountable, and will tell it like it is when it comes to poor play.

That is why Babcock's going to be very highly sought after this summer. We need a coach like that, because quite honestly, I don't think this team's listened to a damn thing a coach has said for years. They tuned Bylsma out around the time of the Philly series and never looked back.

 

[Asuna]

His results aren't that much better than what the pens have accomplished.

Exits:
1st Round
Conference Finals
Cup Champs
Cup Finals
2nd round
2nd round
1st round
2nd round
1st round.


I'm not saying I wouldn't want him, but to act like he'd be a savior... and give 'the people' what they want. I doubt it. Scuderi will still be playing.

Babcock plays vets over young guys? Yeah, so does every single coach in the league.

The fact remains that Babcock's one of the very best at what he does, bar none. He has the legacy/reputation/presence to be able to demand the most out of our players--stars included. He'll keep their attention and they're more likely to buy into what he says than someone like Johnston/Hynes. He'll also hold guys accountable, and will tell it like it is when it comes to poor play.

That is why Babcock's going to be very highly sought after this summer. We need a coach like that, because quite honestly, I don't think this team's listened to a damn thing a coach has said for years. They tuned Bylsma out around the time of the Philly series and never looked back.

What he said.

 

[Shwag33]

It's not the coach its the players. The only thing MB could bring that no one else has is the ability to tell sid, geno, letang etc to **** and do what he tells them.

That could go either way, good or bad.

 

[Shady Machine]

DK had two interesting tidbits in his Friday insider



The mention of a scripted offense was interesting because, outside of the normal hockey-isms (pucks to the net, shots from the point, bodies in front, crash the net for rebounds), I didn't think Johnston had an intensive offensive system. The lack of offense may be due to (1) overscripting creative players (Crosby, Malkin) and (2) having the script be an ill-match for the bottom 6 and defensive players (eg Lapierre and Sutter are specialists on the rush and can't really cycle or Martin, Lovejoy, and Scuderi can't really put shots on net)

Sounds like Johnston has staked a bit on Kunitz being able to regain his form which I doubt happens this year.

Lovejoy said the scripted comment in the game on Tuesday in an in bench interview with Bob. Something like "I've never been on a team where the offensive scheme was so scripted or so planned out". I can't remember if he used the word scripted but that was the gist. Not sure how I felt about it, but the game is becoming increasingly scripted and I don't think we have enough creative forwards to play anything less than a scripted game.

As for MJ, I don't really have a problem with him to be honest. I still believe the roster and player management is the bigger problem. I also believe he is relying on Chris Kunitz so much because they don't really have many better options and he needs him to produce for them to be successful. It's not the way I'd do things, but with the lack of legit options, I understand it.

 

[DegenX]

EDIT: Shady beat me to it about the Rev's comments ... he did use the phrase 'scripted offense'

 

[xxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

It's not the coach its the players. The only thing MB could bring that no one else has is the ability to tell sid, geno, letang etc to **** and do what he tells them.

That could go either way, good or bad.

You put your organization in the best position to succeed. If things don't work, you fix them. Babcock puts us in the best position to succeed with regard to our coaching situation.

 

[Shady Machine]

You put your organization in the best position to succeed. If things don't work, you fix them. Babcock puts us in the best position to succeed with regard to our coaching situation.

If we can get Babcock or even Tippet, then yeah I'd fire MJ. If neither of those two are available and seriously interested, then I'd keep him. we had a ton of roster turnover and a coaching change. At some point you need some continuity, especially because I want more roster turnover next year (bye Kunitz, Sutter, Adams, Scuderi from the "core"). I'm not sold on MJ, but I haven't seen enough to blame their lack of success on him and I do think they can win with his approach to the game with the right roster.

 

[cassius]

You get the vibe MJ doesn't exactly command respect in the locker room.

Pens seem to tune him out like he is some sort of substitute teacher.

It's understandable though - this guy has almost 0 experience at the NHL level and he's trying to coach the best players in the world? Seems like a reach

 

[xxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

If we can get Babcock or even Tippet, then yeah I'd fire MJ. If neither of those two are available and seriously interested, then I'd keep him. we had a ton of roster turnover and a coaching change. At some point you need some continuity, especially because I want more roster turnover next year (bye Kunitz, Sutter, Adams, Scuderi from the "core"). I'm not sold on MJ, but I haven't seen enough to blame their lack of success on him.

I'm not saying dump MJ just to dump him, but there are two of the very best available this summer. You do whatever it takes in order to get one of them. If Babcock wants more control over the roster and GM duties, so be it. If Tippett wants extra cash to head cross country, so be it. Either way, you have to try and get one of them.

MJ isn't the only issue with this team, but he's an issue. I don't think the players buy into his coaching, I don't think he is able to get them ready to play night in and night out, and I don't think he's the kind of guy to hold players accountable for poor play. Now, he's working with a roster that's got some serious holes, but the roster is only so much of an excuse.

 

[Waffle Fries]

I'm more disappointed with Tocchet than I am with Johnston.

 

[xxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

I'm more disappointed with Tocchet than I am with Johnston.

Me too, but I think we had pretty unrealistic expectations for Tocchet. There was a reason he'd been tweeting about games from his living room couch for years. We're seeing that.

 

[IcedCapp]

this Dejan thing makes no sense, because:

HE WAS THE ONE WHO ORIGINALLY REPORTED THAT THE COACHES WERE FED UP WITH KUNITZ, AND WHEN THE IRON DEFICIENCY THING CAME OUT, HE SAID, NOPE, COACHES STILL HATE HIM

Now Johnston is isolating himself in his support for Kunitz?

 

[drpepper]

Lovejoy said the scripted comment in the game on Tuesday in an in bench interview with Bob. Something like "I've never been on a team where the offensive scheme was so scripted or so planned out". I can't remember if he used the word scripted but that was the gist. Not sure how I felt about it, but the game is becoming increasingly scripted and I don't think we have enough creative forwards to play anything less than a scripted game.

As for MJ, I don't really have a problem with him to be honest. I still believe the roster and player management is the bigger problem. I also believe he is relying on Chris Kunitz so much because they don't really have many better options and he needs him to produce for them to be successful. It's not the way I'd do things, but with the lack of legit options, I understand it.

I have huge reservations about Johnston.

If Johnston is scripting the offense, then it has been unsuccessful and ineffective.

Johnston has done a relatively poor job in my opinion of roster management and player deployment from everything from Kunitz's minutes to Scuderi 4v4 to offensive zone face-offs to Sutter as a shut-down center to the fourth line (with Sill and Adams) out against top lines to benching players (Goc, Bennett) to managing "hot" players (Malkin, Bennett).

I don't think Johnston's systems are designed to take advantage of the Pens current roster and often highlight the Pens's weaknesses (see the wingers in the DZ coverage)

I don't think Johnston's in-game adjustments have been successful at all either in terms of shuffling the lines, deploying players, or changing tactics (see the Pens current record when trailing). I also don't think he's successful in managing a lead either.

On Kunitz, he's not going to start producing at this point in the season. It's a pipe dream, and continuing to rely on him regaining form is stupid.

I don't know that anyone can look at Johnston's current season and say that it is a success or that it has improved the team.

Maybe things come together in the playoffs, but right now I am not impressed.

I'm more disappointed with Tocchet than I am with Johnston.

Tocchet seems like a complete waste of space. His jobs are the forwards particularly the offense and the PP.

He shouldn't be there next year in this capacity.

 

[Shady Machine]

You get the vibe MJ doesn't exactly command respect in the locker room.

Pens seem to tune him out like he is some sort of substitute teacher.

It's understandable though - this guy has almost 0 experience at the NHL level and he's trying to coach the best players in the world? Seems like a reach

Same with Bylsma and the get along gang all loved him. And MJ had way more coaching experience than Bylsma.