Following the Penguins 6-5 loss to the Islanders Monday afternoon, head coach Michel Therrien went on a tirade calling out goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury in front of the team and then to the media moments later. The downfall of Therrien when he was coaching Montreal was his emotions would get the best of him and calling out Fleury was a prime example. The team just came off a 14-0-2 run and although Fleury did play horrible against the Islanders, there is no reason to rip him after that game. Fleury knows he played bad and what good did it really do? The rap on Therrien has always been he can’t handle star players. He’s the kind of coach who gets the most of AHL players like a Max Talbot but the verdict is not out yet whether he can coach star players over the long haul. Which brings another question. Will Therrien become another Kevin Constantine?
The latest rumors have the Penguins as the front runner to land Kings defenseman Brent Sopel, . Defenseman Aaron Miller of the Kings has also been linked to the Pens but the Thrashers and Islanders are also expected to make a run at the veteran defenseman. The Penguins biggest need right now is a faceoff specialist and a defenseman to shore up the 3rd set of D. Gonchar – Eaton – Orpik – Whitney are all solid but the teams achilles heel is going to be Melichar and Scuderi. What scares me is the Penguins think is Melichar is fine back their and there is no need to bring in another defenseman. Tell me how this guy is still around after two General managers and 4 different coaches in a 6 year span
