We Are Not In Kansas Anymore

The past 6 seasons the Pens have been in Kansas heading into the playoffs. "Well Toto it looks like we're not in Kansas anymore".

We've made the playoffs every year since 2006. There's the old saying "to whom much has been given, much is required". When you have arguably the two best players in the world, expectations should be high. This season has been incredibly frustrating from a fan perspective. Look at the record up to 12/31/14 and after 1/1/15. The core of this team is intact.

Everyone asks why ? Why are the Pens playing their worst hockey since 2009 ? Well the well oiled excuse machine has generated several "problems":

Problem is not injuries although Pens have had their fair share.

Problem is not officiating although there have been some horrific calls and non calls go against the Pens.

Problem is not the Pens are not a physical team although they could use a couple of smart big physical agitators.

Problem is a lack of leadership on the ice and behind the bench. The game against the Red Wings was one of the greatest examples this season of the lack of leadership with 5 Pens in the penalty box. Total lack of discipline and composure. Last night’s game against Ottawa was truly epic. When you are up 3-0 in the most meaningful game in years, you don’t blow it. You treat it like a Game 7 and do everything you can to win. You don’t put in Sutter to take a crucial faceoff with the game on the line. You block shots. And you make decisions like employing a neutral zone trap to shut them down.

Numerous blogs employ graphs, charts, and excellent breakdowns. No fault with any of them but this doesn’t take a Ph.D. to discern what is wrong with the Pens.

Shero has created problems that will take years to resolve. Hind sight is always 20/20 but if the Pens just fired him and reigned in Byslma, we would not be at this point. But Byslma was guilty by association. Shero was probably the worst GM the Pens had with JR not too far behind. There had to have been better GM candidates than JR but the reason he was hired is that they are grooming his assistant to take over in a year or two. That's not going to work. The only move that JR did that has worked was the Neal trade. Everything else has been an epic failure. And the bungling of hiring MJ was a sincere joke. If you remember, JR had picked out the one assistant coach of the Kings - but they locked him up. Plan B was Desardins but he bolted for the Cannucks when he was told he couldn't choose his staff. We ended up with Plan C in MJ who is great x's and o's guy but a poor motivator. My feeling is that the Pens should have pursued Guy Boucher but he was under contract I believe.

I'm a die hard Pens fan through and through but there will be significant changes that are needed to get them back on course to make a serious run for the Cup. Good luck to them on Friday against the Islanders and hopefully in the playoffs. Let's Go Pens !