“Karlsson will most likely get dealt this summer. Hopefully we can get something useful back in the trade.”
Not if the Penguins are going to Sweden next year. Ain’t happening.
Interesting take, But I do not think that will have anything to do with what happens this summer. If it does, this management team will prove to be amateur at best.
I wouldn't mind if the Pens wheeled and dealed and showed up in Sweden with Hållander as the only Swede in the lineup.
Been away at a conference all week so haven't had time to comment, but:
On Sullivan and the young guys:
--Lack of quality or high end prospects shouldn't really have any bearing on the opportunity Sullivan gives those young players. The problem is the team (which is a coordination between coach and GM) blocks the prospects it does have. So what if Poulin, Puustinen, Puljujarvi, and Ponomarev are bottom 6 players. Getting any meaningful games out of a 7th round pick is a bonus. I'm not going to say Puustinen was perfect, for example, but he also got jerked around a bit. How?
---First NHL game...plays great, gets a primary assist springing Jeff Carter for a breakaway goal....result....benched the next game.
---Start of last season, he was getting 10 to 14 minutes a night, and he had 7 points in his first 10 games...a goal and 6 assists. He averaged 2 shots a game over that span and had a shot every game of those first 10....result....Sullivan shoved him on the 4th line where he got about 7 minutes TOI per game. He exceeded 10 minutes only twice over next 11 games. He had 1 assist over the next 11 games. And then....he got bumped back up in the lineup, TOI went back to 12-14 minutes TOI over the next 6 games. Result....4 points in the next 6 games. Now, after that, he got over 10 minutes the rest of the way and didn't produce a great deal. But the general pattern was pretty clear....the guy played well but his TOI suffered, his play suffered.
---Blake Lizotte was the same way. He was 3C, and was on a career point pace even with the 2 puck to face injuries he had. But, Sullivan shoved him down to 4C as well.
--Puljujarvi may have defensive IQ deficiencies, but he had scored goals in 2 of his last 3 games when Sullivan started healthy scratching JP.
Young players often put themselves in a position to succeed, and Sullivan cuts them off at the knees. Bjorkqvist and Hallander are another example. They may not have been producing the same way Puljujarvi or Puustinen were, but they were getting shuttled back in forth between WBS and Pittsburgh, only to sit 80% of the time. Two years in a row, this bit the Penguins in the ass. Word was ahead of exit interviews for Bjorkqvist, they expected him to be an NHL regular in the bottom 6 the following season. Instead, he told them he was leaving the org, and went back to Europe. And the following season, the exact same thing happened with Hallander. Around March, it was already filtering out through the media that Hallander had an agreement to leave the team at the end of the season...even though the Penguins had hoped to have him as a regular in their NHL bottom 6 the following season.
I would also add that, a common rebutt against these players is "Well, they are gone and nobody else took them, either." Almost every team has players like this. When you are a bottom end prospect pool, typically other teams aren't going to be claiming your waiver wire players because they have their own, better home-grown developed players. That's not a knock on our guys, but I'd also say the way a player is handled, how his ice time and role on the team is handled can travel with the player....ie, oh, Sullivan didn't trust him so we aren't going to bother with him.
With Sullivan, it seems, if the player is average or worse defensively, the odds of said younger player breaking through and earning a regular role in a proper usage slot is very, very difficult.
As this team moves into the retool/rebuild age, they are going to need to give young guys a much longer leash. You can't berate Kolyachonok for making a defensive mistake while defending Karlsson for making 20 of them. They need to start opening up spots for competition...open up a spot next year on the 3rd line for at least one of McGroarty, Koivunen, Broz, or Ponomarev to make the team. Sign some guys like Imama, Kopanen, Hinostroza types to cheap deals, where you stash them in the minors, but can use them to fill in should any of the young guys fail to meet expectations....with proper usage and allowing them to play through mistakes.
McGroarty, Koivunen, Ponomarev and Broz all better be on the team for the opener next season. I get that they want them together this year for a possible deep playoff run in WBS and I'm being patient. But not after whatever happens this spring.
Imama 3rd line? So he will actually play more than 5min? Wth
Koly demoted because of Letangs mistakes is another wtf..
on top of it, now Letang on left with Timmins on 1st pair..
You gotta feel for Lizotte,now matter how good he plays, he will be stuck on mediocrity lines.
Sully GTFO
Last edited by Pens4Life on Fri Mar 21, 2025 11:59 am, edited 2 times in total.
I just want to say how insanely sick of all the endless sycophantic ass kissing and mental gymnastics the entire media core does to justify and defend Sullivan and every single one of his failures. I've never seen anything like it anywhere. Looking beyond the fact that literally no coach in NHL history would have kept his job on any team anywhere with this record and objectively would have been fired YEARS ago anywhere else...you don't even have one member of the media who dares to even muse out loud the crazy notion that maybe he SHOULD be fired. It's beyond insanity.
You're spot on my friend. The local media is a bunch of butt kissers and a coach only survives this kind of a record on a rebuilding team, not a team aiming to compete for the last years of their generational talent captain. It's beyond moronic to keep Sullivan at this point!
You're spot on my friend. The local media is a bunch of butt kissers and a coach only survives this kind of a record on a rebuilding team, not a team aiming to compete for the last years of their generational talent captain. It's beyond moronic to keep Sullivan at this point!
There are certain media outlets that support or defend different team stances. Yohe used to be in Rutherford's back pocket because Rutherford spoke very openly with Yohe. Rossi was very pro-Malkin no matter what, because Rossi spent a lot of time with Geno in Russia one summer. Kingerski often tends to be very pro-Sullivan, touting the narrative of the fans don't know crap about these young players. Unfortunately, Taylor Haase has taken that same stance on the young players, often berating and belittling anyone in DK's comments section if you try and support an argument about Puljujarvi or Kolyachonok types.
Pittsburgh hockey just needs a full reset in every way imaginable at this point.
You're spot on my friend. The local media is a bunch of butt kissers and a coach only survives this kind of a record on a rebuilding team, not a team aiming to compete for the last years of their generational talent captain. It's beyond moronic to keep Sullivan at this point!
There are certain media outlets that support or defend different team stances. Yohe used to be in Rutherford's back pocket because Rutherford spoke very openly with Yohe. Rossi was very pro-Malkin no matter what, because Rossi spent a lot of time with Geno in Russia one summer. Kingerski often tends to be very pro-Sullivan, touting the narrative of the fans don't know crap about these young players. Unfortunately, Taylor Haase has taken that same stance on the young players, often berating and belittling anyone in DK's comments section if you try and support an argument about Puljujarvi or Kolyachonok types.
Pittsburgh hockey just needs a full reset in every way imaginable at this point.
It's honestly very similar to the way Tomlin is covered by the Pittsburgh media. Look, I think Sullivan is a very good coach, but does he have a shelf life? Yes. Is he the right coach for this team as it stands now? Evidence has shown probably not. As we've seen in the NHL, coaches usually don't stick around as long as Sullivan's been behind the bench. Also, if you believe recent rumors, the NJ job could've been his if he wanted it, but he, allegedly, chose to remain in Pittsburgh.
Also Boston and NYR coaching spots could option for him,especially Boston after this season.. I hope he takes it, enough is enough of HCMS here in 'Burgh.
Media in Pittsburgh? Very biased, deaf and blind lol
You're spot on my friend. The local media is a bunch of butt kissers and a coach only survives this kind of a record on a rebuilding team, not a team aiming to compete for the last years of their generational talent captain. It's beyond moronic to keep Sullivan at this point!
There are certain media outlets that support or defend different team stances. Yohe used to be in Rutherford's back pocket because Rutherford spoke very openly with Yohe. Rossi was very pro-Malkin no matter what, because Rossi spent a lot of time with Geno in Russia one summer. Kingerski often tends to be very pro-Sullivan, touting the narrative of the fans don't know crap about these young players. Unfortunately, Taylor Haase has taken that same stance on the young players, often berating and belittling anyone in DK's comments section if you try and support an argument about Puljujarvi or Kolyachonok types.
Pittsburgh hockey just needs a full reset in every way imaginable at this point.
It's honestly very similar to the way Tomlin is covered by the Pittsburgh media. Look, I think Sullivan is a very good coach, but does he have a shelf life? Yes. Is he the right coach for this team as it stands now? Evidence has shown probably not. As we've seen in the NHL, coaches usually don't stick around as long as Sullivan's been behind the bench. Also, if you believe recent rumors, the NJ job could've been his if he wanted it, but he, allegedly, chose to remain in Pittsburgh.
It’s all about results and he’s been obliviously two sides of the same coin. But he’s past 4 seasons have changed how I viewed him for sure. I think he does alot of things very well. But overall is an average coach at best. He’s a great salesman too. Speaks well and articulates well what is going on. Yet, seems to have zero in depth solutions and visable actions with his line up and systematic changes.
Mike Sullivan will be the head coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins next season.
100% and that's a terrible truth. Honestly, probably the season after as well.
The idea that he would leave willingly is insanely hilarious. NO chance. Sure, he'll give up a huge pay day on a team with a media that runs defense for him all day long and a management that has zero actual expectations for on ice success to go to bigger, more aggressive markets with higher attention and criticism from fans and media and management that would actually expect results. That **** dip **** ain't going anywhere.
Nieto done after this season, and, barring trades (which probably will happen with at least 1 of these guys and speed their exit), Acciari, Hayes, Heinen probably out in 2026. Don't "replenish" the vets.
Still ONE season too much for all of them.. I have a feeling if Sullivan stays beyond even next season, we will have even bigger talent exodus back to Europe or they will change teams - but once you kill the growth and potential of young players in 2 consecutive seasons or more, many players dont break out, they get stuck, mentally and physically!
Dubas MUST FORCE youth into Sullivan roster, period! IF he doesnt agree, someone must stepdown, either Dubas as he doesnt have free hands or Sullivan MUST go..
Signings
Signed to various minimum-type deals: St. Ivany, Puustinen, Král, Hollowell, Imama, Huntington, Clurman, Bemström, Andonovski, Howe, Brunicke, Aho, Murashov, A. Hayes, Laatsch, Pietila, Shea, Harding
Signed Grzelcyk to 2.75M x1
Signed Beauvillier to 1.25M x1
Signed Lizotte to 1.85M x2
Signed Crosby to 8.7 x2
Waivers
Lost Ludvig
Claimed Kolyachonok
Trades
Traded Svejkovsky for MacArthur (later traded MacArthur for Poolman)
Traded Reilly Smith for 2nd and 5th.
Traded <nothing> for Hayes, a 2nd and 5th (later upgraded to 2nd and 3rd)
Traded Frasca for Glass, a 3rd and 6th.
Traded Yager for McGroarty straight up.
Traded Eller for 3rd and 5th.
Traded 4th for Tomasino.
Traded <nothing> for POJ
Traded Pettersson and DOC for Heinen, Desharnais, Fernström and 1st.
Traded Andonovski for Laferriere
Traded Desharnais for 5th
Traded Bunting and 4th for Novak and L. Schenn
Traded Beauvillier for 2nd
Traded L. Schenn for 2nd and 4th.
Traded Glass and Gruden for Stillman, Graham and 3rd.
Traded 5th for Dewar and Timmins.
On balance*:
OUT (players): Smith, Bunting, Pettersson, Eller, DOC, Yager, Ludvig
OUT (picks): 4th (2x), 5th
*I ignored players that went in and out again Schenn, Desharnais, Beauvillier etc.
**Also left out the taxi squad guys, with all due respect to Imama and friends.
***Also left out the 1 year deal UFAs for the balance and players that did not get a new contract at the start of the season.
We added some younger players that either need work, or are reclamation projects and traded for draft capital. Three lower picks going out, five coming back in.. and adding nine picks in the first three rounds. While I'd say in terms of skill ceiling our team was weakened severely this season, we did cash in on a number of players that were unlikely to be part of the team's future in say.. 2 years time. Yes, we traded neither Rust nor Rakell. We did not move Jarry or Graves (no one was expecting that miracle) and we didn't part ways with Karlsson. On the season, I'll give this an A- . Ignoring not firing Sullivan which he should have after that ridiculous Sheary comment at the very latest.
Forwards
(9) Crosby, Malkin, Rust, Rakell, Hayes, Novak, Heinen, Acciari, Lizotte are signed to contracts.
(2) Tomasino and Dewar are RFA but in my estimation likely to return.
That would make 11 NHL forwards that would have a place on the roster no matter what (this org being what it is). This in mind, I see place for two guys in the forward group. Unlikely to be three, Pens generally prefer to operate with 8 defencemen and 13 forwards.
Two of these to the NHL roster at the season opener, please. Whoever gets promoted based on last season, Calder Cup playoffs and preseason.
Entirely possible we get instead Imama, Bemström.. who knows, maybe even a returning Hållander
Defencemen
(5) Karlsson, Letang, Graves, Shea, Kolyachonok are signed to contracts
(2) Timmins, POJ are RFA, expecting Timmins to return, but maybe not POJ
(1) Grzelcyk is UFA, not sure whether he is resigned or not.
That would make maybe 7 defencemen signed to NHL contracts and stapled to the roster.
Pickering, Brunicke*, St Ivany
I expect there to be room for only one young defenceman. I'm betting Brunicke gets to remain in the WHL, he's still only 18. So Pickering by default.
Or you get Poolman, Clurman and Aho
There's definitely a wrong and a right way to go about this, but I think we need to add a net ZERO defencemen or forwards. Perhaps we could trade one out and replace one for one, or net remove players.. but adding does harm to the future of the Pens
Forwards
(9) Crosby, Malkin, Rust, Rakell, Hayes, Novak, Heinen, Acciari, Lizotte are signed to contracts.
(2) Tomasino and Dewar are RFA but in my estimation likely to return.
That would make 11 NHL forwards that would have a place on the roster no matter what (this org being what it is). This in mind, I see place for two guys in the forward group. Unlikely to be three, Pens generally prefer to operate with 8 defencemen and 13 forwards.
Two of these to the NHL roster at the season opener, please. Whoever gets promoted based on last season, Calder Cup playoffs and preseason.
Entirely possible we get instead Imama, Bemström.. who knows, maybe even a returning Hållander
Defencemen
(5) Karlsson, Letang, Graves, Shea, Kolyachonok are signed to contracts
(2) Timmins, POJ are RFA, expecting Timmins to return, but maybe not POJ
(1) Grzelcyk is UFA, not sure whether he is resigned or not.
That would make maybe 7 defencemen signed to NHL contracts and stapled to the roster.
Pickering, Brunicke*, St Ivany
I expect there to be room for only one young defenceman. I'm betting Brunicke gets to remain in the WHL, he's still only 18. So Pickering by default.
Or you get Poolman, Clurman and Aho
There's definitely a wrong and a right way to go about this, but I think we need to add a net ZERO defencemen or forwards. Perhaps we could trade one out and replace one for one, or net remove players.. but adding does harm to the future of the Pens
Out of the forwards under contract for next season, I think Acciari or Hayes are shipped out. Of the defensemen, I think Karlsson is likely traded and it wouldn't surprise me if they don't qualify POJ. Also, just because the goalie dominoes must shift, I think that one of Ned or Jarry is dealt, the latter with a draft pick attached perhaps.
Baby Penguins got lit up tonight 10-2 by Providence in a big game. Win would have put WBS 2nd in their division. Larsson gave up 7 goals on 25 shots through 2 periods. Murashov gave up 3 goals on 15 shots in the 3rd period.
Baby Penguins got lit up tonight 10-2 by Providence in a big game. Win would have put WBS 2nd in their division. Larsson gave up 7 goals on 25 shots through 2 periods. Murashov gave up 3 goals on 15 shots in the 3rd period.
Murashov of late is slippin a bit. Still have high hopes but he's off where he was when he 1st came up.
Exactly, Pens SHOULD NOT add any players via free agency on forward lines, but that wont happen probably.. especially if we trade out Acciari, Nieto gone anyway, soo Sully will want his PK vets.
"Dream" scenario :
Acciari, Hayes, Heinen should be gone for late picks or AHL middler.. get Hallander back for 3rd line C, re-sign Tomasino and Dewar, thats 9 guys on F, leave 4 spots open for competition :
Koivunen, Broz, McGroarty, Ponomarev, A.Hayes, Poulin
Rakell - Crosby - Rust
Novak - Malkin - Tomasino
McGroarty - Hallander - Koivunen
Dewar - Lizotte - A.Hayes
x - Ponomarev
Broz - I would leave one more season in AHL mostly.
Defense : EK65 traded with 3M retention (someone coming back I assume, hope its just high prospect and draft picks, but unlikely)
Re-sign Timmins, dont want Gryz back, but again unlikely.. I could see him returning on 2yrs 3M per deal.
Pickering - Letang
Grzelyck - Timmins
Kolyachonok - Shea
x - St.Ivany
Brunicke probably stays one more year in juniors, or need one more season in AHL..
Goalies - trade urgently one, with retention if possible, get Larsson up for backup.. Murashov and Blomquist battle out in AHL for no.1
Exactly, Pens SHOULD NOT add any players via free agency on forward lines, but that wont happen probably.. especially if we trade out Acciari, Nieto gone anyway, soo Sully will want his PK vets.
"Dream" scenario :
Acciari, Hayes, Heinen should be gone for late picks or AHL middler.. get Hallander back for 3rd line C, re-sign Tomasino and Dewar, thats 9 guys on F, leave 4 spots open for competition :
Koivunen, Broz, McGroarty, Ponomarev, A.Hayes, Poulin
Rakell - Crosby - Rust
Novak - Malkin - Tomasino
McGroarty - Hallander - Koivunen
Dewar - Lizotte - A.Hayes
x - Ponomarev
Broz - I would leave one more season in AHL mostly.
Defense : EK65 traded with 3M retention (someone coming back I assume, hope its just high prospect and draft picks, but unlikely)
Re-sign Timmins, dont want Gryz back, but again unlikely.. I could see him returning on 2yrs 3M per deal.
Pickering - Letang
Grzelyck - Timmins
Kolyachonok - Shea
x - St.Ivany
Brunicke probably stays one more year in juniors, or need one more season in AHL..
Goalies - trade urgently one, with retention if possible, get Larsson up for backup.. Murashov and Blomquist battle out in AHL for no.1
I like it! They would put themselves into best position to get the top pick in 2026 while seeing what the youth can do. Cap floor could be an issue.
