For sure - I think we do as well. Yeah the horrific job Hextall did this offseason has really put this team in some weird kind of limbo. He really did have a chance to build a contender. He did such a good job with the big guys contracts in the offseason too and just butchered everything else. Plus the Carter signing the previous year. And his pressers are just depressing to listen to. Basically saying he likes the team and won't give up any first round picks - so the team most likely isn't going to get any better, but also won't sell anyone for draft capital.

For the first time I really just don't understand what Sullivan is doing. He keeps switching Rust and Rakell for no reason. The third line clearly has no ability to play defense, but they get almost all defensive zone starts, it seems like they get a too many men penalty every game lol. They always give up a goal right after they score. For all those years - sure he had a good roster - but it still seemed like he was able to get the most out of the little guys and would keep this team competitive even when people were injured. I'm not sure what the issue is now. I'm with you, I'm not there yet. See how this season finishes out. But 5 years no playoff wins with this core and he needs to be on the hot seat. The Pens are turning into the Steelers lol

Yup agree with all of this. I mean Hextall just did an awful job and as far as changes I'm 100% on board with him being fired whenever. Hasn't proven anything here and I thought he did a bad job in Philly too. They never rebuilt or contended in Philly, they were always just in the middle and more or less had a boring team. JR made big big mistakes, but it was always exciting at least and he never let things get stale. Sullivan you can tell when he first came here got the most out of every player and the system just worked. Now it isn't and he abandoned things that helped him win before like giving young players a chance. And his lineup decisions just make no sense. I really hope this dosen't become like Steelers. It seems like the current trend is that winning championships matters less and just making playoffs and being in the mix is more important for Pittsburgh teams. Drives me crazy with the Steelers because I'd rather be bad for a few years then truly contend then be mediocre and 9-8 every year. Obviously it's super tough to win championships and I'm not expecting that every year, but it would be nice to go into playoffs thinking we have a chance at least (both in hockey and football). Getting bounced in the first round every year cant become the standard

I think we all are on board with that haha - Hextall really hasn't shown any promising signs as a GM on any team I agree. Yeah GMJR definitely swung and missed on a lot, but like you said at least he took the chances and it was obvious he was trying to mix things up and improve the team. And even though he missed, enough of them hit for him to bring in 2 cups. Can't ask for much more.

It did work. Is the problem just that the team he inherited was so fast and fit his system and now he can't adapt? Is the reason he called up AHL players in 15-17 because they were just better? I don't know. But yeah - the lineup decisions and deployment are just extremely questionable.

Yeah the Steelers situation is just a nightmare and I really hope that doesn't happen with the Pens. The standard has become 9-8 with no playoff wins and fans keep defending that for some reason because "never had a losing season" lol