A New Coach May Be Good, But Therrien Is Better
Contributing Writers | Pittsburgh Penguins
Nov 6, 09:11 PM | Hype this story!
The following story was prepared by Frank D. Murgia of MoveTheNeedle.net
specifically for Faceoff Factor. Murgia has just returned to his hometown of Pittsburgh after a 10-year stint in Hollywood producing shows for MTV, ESPN and Playboy TV Sports. He can be reached at ithappens AT movetheneedle DOT net.
Yesterday we saw a report about possible dissention in the Pittsburgh Penguins locker-room. Since then, a lot of people have been calling for a replacement of Michel Therrien. Here’s why that’s a bad idea.
First, I can say for sure that I think the players are young, full of talent and that Therrien runs a very tight system and ship. As one of Therrien’s main flaws I can see him being a little arrogant and cocky but they are young kids and they need to be called out and put in check.
It’s no question he treats them like small children and not young adults in regards to how he calls them out, benches them, etc. This is true, but that locker room is very close, and may be too close for its own good.
Colby is Sid’s best friend and loved in the locker room and by the fans. All of those players and fans are going to take Colby’s side and any player’s side. The old Mario teams were close, but those guys were a little older and in their mid to late 20’s. You can’t let a bunch of 19 to 23 year olds run the ship no matter how close knit and talented they are.
They need to lace them up, take it and learn from all of the line shifting and benching. They need to get tough skin and not be babied. Otherwise, come playoff time, 19-23 year old babies are going to get bullied again by grown men. If Therrien goes, the players will think they won and that they are so talented that they can do anything. They are too young to be thinking that. They can have a skilled offense but will have no toughness come playoff time.
I do believe his system works and the line changing works. It works after a few months of building that chemistry. It did last year. The switch flipped after the all-star break. I think it will flip in mid-December this year, earlier than last year. That is how growth and chemistry works with a young team. These are talented kids who want to have set lines and want to score and fly around, but that isn’t the nature of the game anymore. Even the old Oilers were talented but not that young.
If Shero fire’s Therrien to protect the locker room, it is a bad move. A new coach may be the trick, set lines may be the trick, a new offensive system may be the trick, but I think no matter whom the coach is this year’s team is not better than winning 2 rounds in the playoffs. I think they win two rounds no matter who the coach is. That is the natural progression of how things work regarding the ages and talent levels of these players.
Comments
Julian
Nov 6, 11:52 PM
Good points you make there.
The 2 rounds no matter what thing is odd.
Frank D. Murgia
Nov 7, 12:12 AM
Julian, Thanks. The “2 rounds no matter what” is just my own strong opinion on this years team. I guess I just don’t see this years Pens being able to get past the third round of a grueling playoff run. That third round playoff series may go 7 great games but I just don’t think they are physically or mentally tough enough to go any further than that this year. Roberts was great to add late last year. But boy come April he and Recchi may be flat out of any gas. Sykora and Sydor add great experience but… Look at the experienced seasoned Ottawa this, just sick.
The Lord
Nov 7, 12:30 AM
Frank –
I love Move the Needle. But in regards to the Pens, I recall Craig Patrick went thru MANY coaches when Mario was young. I believe in Therrien and that there must be structure with such a young team. Therrien adds that structure. Crosby’s one of the best there is today but he still has a lot to learn. What Therrien did for the Pens last season was truly remarkable. But if they want to get anywhere (i.e. far in the playoffs), consistency in coaching will be a huge benefit along with experience and being in shape. Last season, Malkin was definitely not used to the NHL’s s84 game schedule and as we all recall it took Mario 7 seasons to win a Championship (as it did Michael Jordan). And like we saw with during the Cup years, Crosby will need scoring from lines 2-4 if they want to go far (which we’ve seen little of this season).
Frank D. Murgia
Nov 7, 12:51 AM
The Lord… Great points about Patrick finding the right coach. I can’t say I disagree with you. And you know, Therrien actually may not not be a playoff style coach. I see him as that guy to build and mold a team in the minors and in the majors but can’t do anything further. That may be who he is. I do agree that a coaching change will be needed in the future to win cups and go to the next level. I would just hate to see the plug get pulled right now. I think another year of the Therrien grind will carry over to a new coach who will get more mature men to work with. And you are right about the lines. The pens only have one line of talent. Sid, Malkin, Sykora, Gonchar and Whitney. The rest are all good role players like Loney, Bourque and Errey. You made a FANTASTIC reminding point that it took Mario 7 seasons. Real, true, knowledgeable hockey fans realize this and don’t call sports talk shows and rant and rave on the internet for trades and firings and demotions after every single loss.
DaBich
Nov 7, 05:41 AM
“Real, true, knowledgeable hockey fans realize this and don’t call sports talk shows and rant and rave on the internet for trades and firings and demotions after every single loss.”
Gee, thanks, Frank. I was all for MOST of what you wrote here…then I get to this line…and WHAM. You slap fans in the face. Nice going =D
Now, in HMO, perhaps Therrien needs to grow up a little too, no? Having favorites and treating them better than other players is immature and childish. I’m not saying he’s a terrible coach, but right now he looks bad. SOMETHING needs to change before it kills the morale of the team. Not that I’M a coach, but as a fan, I see this.
In closing, you put up some good points, as did The Lord (love that name lol). You’re making me think, and that’s a good thing.
Frank D. Murgia
Nov 7, 07:03 AM
Dabich-
Ha-ha. You know when I wrote that last line about talk show callers I myself twinged and felt it stung a little because those callers move the needle. They move my needle. What I said “Moves the Needle” It moved your needle. ha-ha. I listen to sports talk maybe 4-5 hours a day. So, I think I listen too much and and hear more callers than normal so it frustrates me to hear so much negativity. I guess if nobody made these calls there would be no sports talk radio and I would be listening to white noise all day. So, I respect your point about the wham. I need to play more Xbox and listen less to radio. Ha-ha. Agreed, “The Lord” is a great handle. I use my full name, what a tool I am. I need a handle but I don’t know if “Jesus” is available. Thanks for commenting on my first Factor rant. I hope you enjoy movetheneedle.net
Matt Bodenschatz
Nov 7, 07:32 AM
Thanks all for your comments, and thanks Frank for the excellent opinion piece. We hope to read more from you in the future.
DaBich
Nov 7, 08:27 AM
Hey Frank….no problem, we all need stuck with the proverbial needle now and then ;)
Come back again, Frank. I enjoy reading differing view points, it expands the mind. ALL the contributors to FaceOff Factor are doing a great job, and I look forward to visiting this site. You add to that enjoyment.
Frank D. Murgia
Nov 7, 08:55 AM
Matt and Dabich Thanks for those kind words. I do love the factor and read it daily and am honored to accepted as a contributor. Matt great job keeping the site fluid and fresh.
Matt Bodenschatz
Nov 7, 10:26 AM
Not to continue the FF lovefest, but I just want to thank the both of you for your compliments. We truly appreciate them!
Aron
Nov 7, 12:01 PM
ohhhkay, get a room. Back to hockey if you don’t mind. Totally agree with keeping Therrien around, if Armstrong doesn’t come out with a little extra step in his giddyup next time he’s out there then obviously playing time doesn’t motivate him. I like Colby, i think he can be a great 3rd line grinder for us, but from watching some games this year he seems to be “Modano-ing” it out there. Not acceptable.
DaBich
Nov 7, 12:15 PM
Aron…don’t be jealous, now ;)
I have a problem with Therrien and his favorites crap. If he expects maturity from his players, then he has to practice it too.
Matt will comment on your Colby comments, I’m gonna pass ;X
The Lord
Nov 7, 02:19 PM
How soon we forget yesteryear and what an amazing job Ray Shero and Therrien did with the same team he has now. Give Therrien a break, we’re 15 games into the season and just beat the Devils 5-0. (If anything this should column should be a debate about goaltending, not coaching.) Call me in March, that’s when the season starts. Love to all, just not the kind of love that’s going on between Frank and Dabich!
StuporDave
Nov 7, 04:14 PM
I agree with the point about not letting a bunch of kids run the ship but I was under the impression( and I don’t know where I got this) that Sydor was influential in this team meeting they had the other day. So I am wondering if some of the frustration isn’t coming from some of the vets. In which case it would seem more troubling for the coaching staff.
Frank D. Murgia
Nov 7, 04:42 PM
And THE LORD said you got to rise up…
Exactly, this team is right where it should be with the new additions
DaBich
Nov 7, 07:55 PM
The Lord lol!
Leave us your number…
Matt Bodenschatz
Nov 7, 09:27 PM
Thanks all for contributing heavily to this great discussion. Excellent points all around.
The Lord
Nov 9, 04:23 PM
The Lord suggests better goaltending (which includes playing defense).
Muiser
Nov 10, 09:19 PM
This team has been playing terrible all year for the most part. Crosby is not battling as much as he did the last two seasons but still is working harder than anyone else. The Pens do not have a good enough defense squad either. Another problem is that they are relying too much on an offensive cycle. Other teams just keep them to the outside and they fail to penetrate nearly enough. I am crossing my fingers hoping that things will improve and I suspect they will in the next few weeks.
Matt Bodenschatz
Nov 10, 10:18 PM
Thanks for the comment Muiser. I think your line of thought is spot-on. Times are bad right now, but in a few weeks, I suspect this stretch will be a distant memory.
I do, however, think that with each passing a trade becomes more and more likely. There is an obvious need for a defenseman and an agitator/goon in the mold of Jordin Tootoo who isn’t afraid to stir things up and/or defend teammates.
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