NOTEBOOK BUZZ

— Rumblings, Musings, Opinions —

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

One Penguins source who’s a strong supporter of Kyle Dubas: ‘He bought too much bullshit from carry overs who made him believers’ group was a lot closer than they really were. He leaned on those who were entrenched, and I bet that won’t be the case anymore. Kyle will learn and grow from it.’

Dubas has had a bad first season as General Manager with just a few hits and a slew of misses. There’s no way around it. Still, great General Manager’s learn and react on the fly and the next phase for Dubas is going to be the toughest course of action he’s ever faced as a hockey executive starting this week. Last summer was the easy part to stay the course. Now the real challenges are here for Dubas less than a year in, on enacting a plan and the obvious being of hitting some home runs if Pittsburgh can turn fantasy of trying to contend next season into reality. Avoiding a full-scale rebuild may end up tied to how successful or not the next 3-4 months are for the Penguins. Dubas deserves the benefit of doubt for now instead of so many rehashing he should have done this, that, ect………

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Rumblings: Despite his age and performing above expectations, Pittsburgh feels no urgency to move Lars Eller. There’s not a significant market for Eller who has been a strong fit in Pittsburgh, but there’s To read this insider news, subscribe to get “Inside Access”!

One of the Penguins most popular players on the market is To read this insider news, subscribe to get “Inside Access”!

Scouts Buzz: Reilly Smith’s lack of awareness with the puck has and inability to read the play ahead of time has stunned the Penguins coaching staff this season…….. As Matthew Phillips was placed on waivers Monday after appearing in just three games, will management force the coaching staff’s hands to play Jesse Puljujarvi after moving some bodies out by the weekend? Immediate word on Puljujarvi after just a few games was the coaching staff didn’t feel Puljujarvi plays with enough pace to warrant time over others and a belief he’s too slow with his decision making and just doesn’t have NHL-level time and react ability right now. Hard to see coaching embracing him from here on out but remains to be seen if management is ready to close the door on Puljujarvi so soon……..

________________________________________________________________________________________________________

MORE BUZZ

Great quote from Devils General Manager Tom Fitzgerald today in discussing the firing of Lindy Ruff: “Accountability isn’t always taking a kid and sitting his ass on the bench.”.This is a common problem with veteran coaches who are locked into their ways. Even here in Pittsburgh. Assuming Mike Sullivan stays the course and doesn’t seek a mutual parting over the next year, that is something that has to change with him here in Pittsburgh…….Highly unlikely but If Mike Sullivan does get a wondering eye this summer, there will surely be To read this insider news, subscribe to get “Inside Access”!

Related posts:

Mike Sullivan critical of the Penguins’ effort in loss to NJD Latest Pens Buzz: Trade Buzz surrounding veteran forwards Eller, Carter? Latest Pens Buzz: Pressure mounting on Kyle Dubas to provide a shakeup before hard discussions need to be had by end of Feb Inside Pittsburgh SportsLatest Pens Buzz: Ruhwedel popular in Trade Talks, Wildcard in Camp & More Buzz