Clean House

I was waiting to write this article till after Coach Dan Bylsma was fired, which after the Penguins most recent meltdown I thought was all but a certainty.

Clearly I was wrong.

What happened to the Pittsburgh Penguins this year, neigh, the past five years in the postseason is unforgivable from a organizational standpoint.  Post Stanley Cup victory in 2009, the Penguins have flamed out each year in the postseason in spectacular fashion, each year more spectacular than the last.

The Pens need to clean house.  Flat out.  Firing Shero was a good first step - but stringing Bylsma along has me scratching my head as to just how much the leaders of this organization (Lemieux, Burkle, Morehouse) truly think change is necessary.

Don't kid yourself people, this organization is on the decline.  Serious change is needed in order to regain some semblance of organizational structure.  That means everyone must go.  The coaching staff, the GM and even some key players.  No one should be safe in this situation.

Crosby, Malkin, Kunitz, Neal, Letang, Fleury.
No one.    

This is a key moment in this organizations history.
Change now, or fall back into irrelevance.

That means letting all our UFA's walk.

That means actually bringing up some of the great defensive products this organization has in it systems and actually using them on a regular basis.

That means trading James Neal.

That means buying out rapidly declining defenseman Rob Scuderi and equally rapidly declining forward Craig Adams.

That means taking a long hard look at Malkin and Letang and seeing if trading them would fix the many holes of the team's roster.

That means signing upcoming UFA Ryan Callahan to play on Sid's right wing.

That means firing Dan Bylsma.  Right now.

Serious change needs to happen.  Right now.  As a fan of another organization which was also once at the height of the hockey world, the Vancouver Canucks, I know what it looks like when an organization is at a turning point.  The aging roster.  The missed playoff opportunities.  The serious lack of organizational depth.  The terrible drafts.  I've seen it all before.  And unless the Pens make some major changes right now - their fate will be the same as the Canucks - league wide irrelevancy.  

Pittsburgh Pirates Drinking Game

Horrible play of the Pirates getting you down?

Spice up this stretch of horrible play by the Buccos by introducing a little alcohol to the situation.

Take a shot if:

1. Pedro strikes out

2. Pirates leave bases loaded

3. Pirates don't score with man in scoring position and less than 2 outs

4. When someone says: "Marte Party", "Cole Train", "Real Deal Neil Walker", "El Toro", "Grilled Cheese", "Mark the Shark", "We Like Ike" or "Mercer Me". 

5. The Pirates gain a lead

6. The Pirates lose said lead

7. The bull pen gives up a run

8. Grilli / Melancon blows a save 

9. Someone ways "Sea-rage" or "Shark-Tank"

10. Sanchez / Stewart throws the ball into center field

11. Someone reminiscences on how well the Pirates did last season

12. Pirates ground into an inning ending double play

13. Someone says Gabby, Wandy, Stolmey or Jeanmar (only the first time)

14. One of the Pirates is hitting under .200 - take a shot for every player doing so

15. Clint Hurdle is seen chewing bubble gum

16. A Free Shirt Friday is advertised 

17. Jared Hughes looks like he's going to kill someone

18. A player starts a "Yes" chant

19. A player flashes either the "Z" or "Pistols" when they get a hit
20. Pirates fail to bunt a man into scoring position 

21. Bob Walk mentions banning the DH