The best thing this org could do imo is blow it up. The prospect pool is terrible. Besides Murashov, Pickering, Yager and Broz there isnt a single future NHLer I see. There are no young guys who I think could break out and the team does not have a lot of picks.

Guentzel would get an absolute haul then Crosby, Malkin, Letang, EK65, Graves, Pettersson, Rakell, and Rust are all assets that can get you a few picks and prospects (obviously Crosby more than others) but it would be well worth it. Metro is so tough they arent winning a series with this roster core

I think sully is a great coach. BUT I do think this team is maybe over-coached right now. They are so bland offensively. They are trying to hang on to brand of hockey that they had success with 7 years ago.

It’s too early to fire Sully, but I’d like to see some changes. I think Sid needs to step up and speak up to him, if he hasn’t already. If things don’t change by December, then I think they make a coaching move. Who? I’m not sure. I don’t think the solution is currently in the Pens org.

This team isn't rebuilding as long as Crosby is on the roster. Simple as that

Slightly above average offence
Shaky D
Mediocre G
Very old core
Whacko GM

Ahhhhh this ^ ^ ^

Crosby is never wearing another sweater in the NHL, it's as simple as that.

What if we are a top 5 lottery team this year? Or even top 10 and far out of playoffs? What would we do at that point to fix the team? I don't think Dubas will be afraid to pull the trigger on the rebuild if its apparent we are not contending

I agree, but that doesn't necessarily mean we don't rebuild

I agree, but the issue is if we wait until December we may be too far out of playoff contention by then

I don't even know anymore man lol. I'm not saying Sully is without blame - because he's not - but I think it's hard to blame the system or the coaching for where they are right now. Outside of the PP of course. They're out-possessing, out-shooting, out-chancing, and out-expecting the other team on what seems like a nightly basis. At some point it's just on the players to finish some chances and not leave people wide open in front of the net.

The issue is Crosby, Malkin, Letang, Karlsson and Rust all have full NMCs. The others all have some kind of NTCs. So unless the players come together and make the decision to blow it up - it's not even a possibility.

Sullivan needs to go. The team needs a new voice. He's playing the same system since 2016, but this core isn't in their late 20's anymore.

They are beyond soft. This is the team/roster he wanted. I don't think Dubas will sit by and let the season wilt away. I would think Sullivan needs to start feeling the heat. They've won one playoff round since 2018. It's not like them struggling is new. They/Sullivan just don't change anything. Jake-Sid-Rust 1st line forever. They will fix everything!!

If the team declares they are rebuilding though then they might want out. I don't think that would be the case with all of them. I'm sure at least 1-2 of them would want to retire Penguins, which I'd love to be the case. But I don't think it's realistic that we don't rebuild as long as they're on the team. If we continue to struggle, I could see us slowly phasing into it with a Guentzel trade and then going from there.

Every good team has a balance of speed, skill, and physicality. Our cup teams had it. People assume physicality means guys who just fight and hit, but that's not the case. We had Hornqvist and Bonino who were awesome and were the perfect mix of skill and energy. We've been missing that for years and for some reason adopted the idea that we should just go for 100% speed. Need to adjust our game style based on different situations/teams/players, but we for some reason play 100% speed no matter whose on the team or who we are playing. Although I think it might be time to rebuild, it is worth it to try a coaching change before then.

My concern is that our finishing has been a big issue for years. At some point when it continues year after year even after roster overhaul then there's something the team is doing wrong. We also play to the perimeter too much and don't go to the net. I think our system is a massive problem, but I also don't think it's out of the question that the team has just fizzled out and it's at the end of their run. I would want to make a coaching change before going forward with a rebuild though.

Oh it has - it's been terrible. I've been waiting for a regression to the mean and it's just not coming haha. I agree the team is doing something wrong in that regard - I just don't think finishing is something a coach can really fix. Like I said I'm not trying to say Sully is untouchable or without blame - results are what matters and his haven't been good recently. I just don't know how much can be blamed on Sullivan at this point so far this season. If they were being noticeably outplayed night in night out then I would agree that's a coaching or system issue - but that hasn't really been the case so far this season imo. But sometimes a change behind the bench creates a spark and extra drive in the players - so I can understand the idea of wanting a new coach. I'm not adamantly against it

We do play to the perimeter for sure. I've definitely noticed that as well and I don't like it either. It's a valid criticism. They've become a dump and chase, cycle the puck to the blue line team - causing a lot of shots from distance. At least in my eyes. The transition game seems non existent - outside of the Malkin line at times. But to be fair, that system does have them 2nd in the league in xGF/60 and 4th in scoring chances per 60. The offense and chances are there.

Definitely not out of the question - especially after watching the way Crosby played last night haha. Coaching change before a rebuild for sure. Let's be honest they aren't rebuilding no matter what with like 5 guys on NMCs anyway - so the coaching change would definitely come first. Just out of curiosity - what about the current system do you think is a massive problem - and what would you prefer?

I'm not sure they would even declare it unless the players are on board first though - they have all the power there. I don't think they'll hold off a rebuild until Letang/Malkins contracts are up - but I think it's almost a given that they aren't rebuilding until Sid's contract is up after next season. It would be mind blowing to rebuild halfway through the year they just went out and got Karlsson to add to the group. But I guess stranger things have happened.

Is he playing the same system as 2016 though? And do we know this is the roster he wanted?

I could see Dubas doing a semi-rebuild. Or more like a very slow drawn out rebuild. So basically selling Guentzel maybe one more guy at deadline, getting a 1st plus more, then signing 1-2 replacements on short term deals for the next year but kind of expecting the same. I don't know if that's the case though. I think Dubas has full 100% control and will take others thoughts into account but ultimately do what's best for the team.

I don't think they have a good defensive structure and have 0 net front presence at either end of the net. And I can't stand the power play configuration either. The team is built on attacking/speed, but that can't be the system we play with an older and slower roster that doesn't have an offensive bottom 6. I don't like a ton of it but my biggest problem is that we have no one to provide a net front presence on either side. That's why I think we are constantly goalied, make it too easy on the opposing goalie.

Also side note. Not in love with our goaltending so far. Think Ned has been solid. Jarry hasn't been bad at all but just feel like he never makes a big save when we need one at the end of games. That could be because he's constantly screened though and we have no one clearing the net. Honestly that plus the lack of team defense and coverage probably hurts Jarry a ton.

Remember the blues in 2019?