Penguins/NHL
Latest NHL Buzz
— Coyotes head coach Rick Tocchet got a 4 year deal worth $1.75 million per season and he was an ownership hire. Even if the losing continues, now 0-10-1 on the season, he’s likely safe from Barry Melrose territory of getting fired 16 games in on the first year of a job.
The Coyotes, though, are beyond just a mess right now.
What a few scouts say is the Coyotes are playing at a faster pace under Tocchet than last year, but there hasn’t been a more poorly structured team and lack of hockey IQ on the ice as a whole in years than what evaluators have seen from the Coyotes this season.
For significant stretches the Coyotes look like a group playing pick up hockey.
It didn’t appear Tocchet was walking into such a dire situation but he’s now in one as changing a losing culture is often harder than it looks on paper.
— Will Barry Trotz make it to Christmas as Capitals coach? The chatter around the league is that Trotz is under the hot seat more so than Alain Vigneault is in New York as both teams are off to disappointing starts. That said, in New York when things are going bad like they are for the Rangers, no coach is ever safe.
The Capitals situation will be an intriguing one and if they are still playing around .500 hockey four to six weeks from now, keep an eye on a coaching move.
Trotz is in the last year of a contract, and while Daryl Sutter’s name is circulating among some executives, the Capitals gave serious thought to replacing Trotz over the summer with assistant Todd Reirden.
— Dan Bylsma’s stock as a head coaching candidate was so low this summer, the Florida Panthers who offered Bylsma their head coaching job in the summer 2014 (Bylsma wanted a 5 year deal), made zero contact with Bylsma or his reps this summer when they had another opening. He also wasn’t brought in for interviews from any other clubs.
Bylsma currently doing some analyst work, is due $8.55 million from the Sabres through the 2019-2020 season as he was fired with three more seasons left on his deal.
A consensus around the league is that Bylsma could be waiting a long-time before he gets another shot, but one situation down the road those close to Bylsma wonder about is Detroit where Red Wings GM Ken Holland is said to have been very high on Bylsma in the past.
— Prior to finalizing a deal for Riley Sheahan last Friday, the Pittsburgh Penguins were engaged in heavy talks with the San Jose Sharks surrounding To read this insider news, subscribe to get “Inside Access”!
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Sitting in great seats down low at ice level near the blue line in Winnipeg watching the Penguins get slaughtered. They really, really need to get it together with back to backs. They don’t just lose… they get killed. Chicago… Tampa… now the Jets. Brutal.
Let me beat Dejan and the Pitt media to it; you cannot replace the character and leadership of Kunitz and Cullen. Pens haven’t been hard to play against and they don’t compete.
And Gajtka. Who read your q&a on his DK podcast this week.
Where is gaydogg we need live stats. Anyway you can pull off live stats in Pittsburgh how many fans turned off their TV now?
Hard hitting analysis from sam the guy that’s never touched a vaginaa
Any way pens can get fleury back ? trade some fool and have Vegas retain portion of fleury salary
So we can immediately place him on the IR?
Letang needs to go. I would go with 5 D the rest of the way.
You think pens are losing because they are used to play in a museum back home?
I was thinking the same thing. That and Letang is a French Canadian puzzy.
Sam doesn’t know what “puzzy” is
Remember, it’s only November and there is plenty of time for Letang to have a season-ending injury.
If Fleury were playing tonight, you wouldn’t utter Letang’s name. Let alone in 12 different posts.
Except I’ve been uttering his name for theee years. Other than that you’re spot on again.
Eh. Yeah. It’s come up. But the point it, it was all fleury all the time before this. And yes. I know I’m spot on. The only one that bitchedd about lejunk when it wasn’t chic was kinda me. So you’re welcome. Again.
Hey zerotool how many pens need tonight in order to win for Murray?
Another value add from the guy that we all know brings so much here.
Technically 4, then he won’t be the goalie of record.
Technically it’d be an N/A then because he can’t win.
Good news boys tbj and Mstartari turned off their TV and wont be here tonight
Man. You bring so much to the board.
I’m here Samantha.
If I only have two of the three TVs in my living room on, does chubby sam still consider me to have “turned off my tv?”
Yikes, just checked the score. Looks like I’m not missing much. GO STEELERS!
Murray looked like dogshit
Fucken Letang man…
Yeah and your Russian is playing amazing tonight
Another goal for Zero’s Russian.
Any chance Letang has another hole in his heart
Guess it wasn’t Niemi after all.
Malkin with horseshiit night.
Not sure what’s more shocking, Sullivan dressing borderline NHLer Ryan Reaves in back to back nights or that he dressed Letang
Great shift by 87’s line. Sid and Letang each had a chance to clear it.
No for galchenyuk no need a drunk coke addict player to Pittsburgh
Philip danault same guy that same wanted here when habs took him from Hawks?
Dan Bylsma’s stock should be going up, quite honestly – because it’s pretty clear at this point he wasn’t the problem in Buffalo.
That fraud DB should never even in the NHL. Not even as a water boy
Look at sam – bringing it to the board!
Go back behind your counter and take some orders
You should come and be my landscaper. Then you wouldn’t have to live off of your moms teat. Virgin.
They don’t have water boys in the NHL, but your point is well taken
Towel boys
I bet you’ve had your eye on a towel boy or two
Not those either. But again, I’m with you.
It’s not too late to trade Letang.