Official fire johnston thread - join the crew

[Algernon]

I'm sure I'm gonna catch hell for this but the dude isn't doing his job.

This is carry over from last year.


Pens don't even look like they're playing a system

[Pavement]

Lots of new players on the roster needing time to get used to playing with each other.

It's not a great start, but too soon to think about sacking him.

[pens_ct]

It's too early to fire the coach but there are questions that need answered in a hurry. (1) Why does Crosby have no shots on goal in two games? (2 ) why did we keep a rookie on the team, and then give him minimal minutes on the fourth line? (3 ) why is this team zero for the season on the PP ? (4) why does the team give the impression by their lack of effort that they don't care?

If this staff is unable to figure these questions out, and soon, then a change needs to be made.

[count2infinity]

I didn't even need to look to know who started this thread.

[Craig]

Id rather fire the gm.

And yes to c2i's comment.

[pens_ct]

Beyond the Despres trade, I'm not sure why people think Rutherford should be fired. Is it his fault that Crosby and Malkin have performed below expectations? Or at least below what they are getting paid to do.

[columbia]

Even with Despres, they would still be short a top 4 D...because he isn't one himself.

Having said, it was a botched deal.

[mikey]

Dumb thread...

[Rocco]

What's the Pens record since 5AF was founded? Pretty clear this little vanity project has negatively impacted the Pens.

[Gaucho]

Don't know their record, but their GPG is lower than Sunderland's.

[Silentom]

Stupid thread is stupid.

[Sarcastic]

Not as stupid as some of you think. It's too early, but we're not looking any better than last season. Also, hearing MJ during 2nd intermission last night admit that the team was flat for most of the game and that we just started playing 10 or 15 minutes earlier was a red light for me. What these guys need is a Tortorella type to lit some fire under their ass. MJ is a fatherly figure and might be better with younger players in a lower league.

We'll see 10 or 20 games from now, but Mario and JR shouldn't rule out a change at some point in the season.

[NEPA]

Not as stupid as some of you think. It's too early, but we're not looking any better than last season. Also, hearing MJ during 2nd intermission last night admit that the team was flat for most of the game and that we just started playing 10 or 15 minutes earlier was a red light for me. What these guys need is a Tortorella type to lit some fire under their ass. MJ is a fatherly figure and might be better with younger players in a lower league.

We'll see 10 or 20 games from now, but Mario and JR shouldn't rule out a change at some point in the season.

I agree. I'm not sold on MJ to this point because I don't see him as a fit for this for this team. But I'm not implying fire him right now because it's too early and over reactive to call for his head.

[NEPA]

Even with Despres, they would still be short a top 4 D...because he isn't one himself.

Having said, it was a botched deal.

You know what's funny.. since the trade, they haven't been the same. In fact I think they're teetering 500 or less.

Edit: They are 7-12-3 since the trade.

[dodint]

Source of the post Tortorella type

Mike Keenan. Do it already.

[NEPA]

Source of the post Tortorella type

Mike Keenan. Do it already.

Kunitz future would be a bag skate every other day

[Hugo Stiglitz]

Already with this?

[large garlic]

I certainly wouldn't fire Johnston now (probably wouldn't even consider it seriously until after this season), but I do think the jury is still out on him. At the end of the Bylsma era, it was clear the Pens had problems of the Xs-and-Os variety and of the psychological/mental variety. Johnston seems to have fixed some of the Xs-and-Os issues (though certainly not all), but it's unclear to me whether or not he has the persona to change the psychological state of this team.

[pens_ct]

Already with this?

If the team had played hard for 60 minutes in both games and were just stoned by hot goaltending then most people wouldn't care that they are winless. However it seems as if this season is starting the same as last seasons ended. The lack of playing harf for 60 minutes is particularly troubling.

[shmenguin]

The only thing we can glean so far is that he still sucks at personnel. Which likely means he always will. Which is a problem.

[VoiceOfTheFan]

Boy, did these first to games suck out loud....my gosh, what terrible lack of chemistry.
It's a long season, hopefully they get better.

[the wicked child]

I'm not ready to call for his head, but there is definitely something off here. 1 goal in 2 games against Dallas and Arizona is scary. And naturally Niemi no longer looked like Patrick Roy in his prime in his next game.

[FreeCandy44]

What's the Pens record since 5AF was founded? Pretty clear this little vanity project has negatively impacted the Pens.

He might have a point.

[columbia]

I blame everyone under 36 for the Pirates success since the Baltimore series.

[Sarcastic]

I saw Larkin score his first goal for Detroit several days ago and I could have sworn he had Zetterberg on his line. I thought to myself then why don't Penguins allow young talent to learn from team's best players. Sprong should be playing with Sid or Geno for the time being and Kunitz should be lower down the list (if not be traded). I think we all wanted Bennett to receive such treatment the past couple of seasons. Why do vets get so much preferential treatment here?