Michel Therrien's Firing May Create More Problems for the Pittsburgh Penguins

Was Therrien not part of the reason that the Penguins made it within two games of winning the Stanley Cup last season?

One thing I felt I could always count on was Therrien's track record and his keen ability to know his players and when/when not to push buttons—and what buttons to push.

I'm not sure about the timing of this shake-up. Did last Saturday's third-straight loss to the lackluster Maple Leafs strike enough fear in Shero to make a rash, panic-ridden decision?

Shero continues to believe that the Pens can still make it to the playoffs, so my question is, who is he trying to convince? And what has happened since Therrien's contract was extended and Shero showing, even voicing, such confidence in him?

I realize that the Pens have quickly plummeted to a 10th-place team and changes are in order, but can a little over a half a season be enough of a chance given to Therrien to turn things around and are the 26 games left in this season realistically enough time to get rid of a coach, name an interim coach, and hire him or another permanent coach to get acquainted and make a change in an unmotivated, uninspired team to the point they raise their play to playoff caliber?

I really question that, but will be the first to give Shero (and Bylsma) "kudos" if he pulls it off.
I truly believe that Shero got rid of too many of the Pens key players (or waited to long to "do business" with them) without picking up sufficient replacements for the losses (loss largely outweighed any gain). Granted, I really like most of the new guys -- Cookie, Godard, Tenks - they have  proved their worth, but it's still wasn't enough to create a smooth transition from old to new - too many large holes created and roles left unfilled. I still can't comprehend why he waited so long for Hossa and I think it was a huge mistake in the long-run (and it's coming back to haunt the team now).
Hossa is also partially to blame for the the loss of alot of the players that were part of the SCF team last season. There is no reason he had to drag his decision out as long as he did - NO REASON AT ALL. We lost alot of toughness and physical players (do I even have to mention them -- you are all well aware of my thoughts on them by now and my continuing lament towards losing them): Malone, Ruutu, Roberts even Sydor (for the sole purpose of some veteran presence - we have absolutely none right now; no one to help Sidney in leading the team through these slumps which is something only a veteran's experience and knowledge can provide to a team).

Has it already been decided that Bylsma will become the permanent coach of the Penguins or did Shero and Pens management have someone in mind for the job? I just can't see how they can find a good coach at this point in the game (better than what they have had with Therrien, anyway—which may not be the best, but it's more ideal than finding someone good enough to get them to the playoffs in 26 games being ranked 10th in the Eastern Conference).

These next few games will be clear indicators as to what kind of coach Bylsma will make and if Shero is right in his faith in a man without any NHL experience—although that's how Therrien got his start, and look where he is now!

I am by no means making any judgements based on this one game, but they don't look any more motivated to me. You'd think they wouldn't want to let Bylsma or Therrien down.

When will the players themselves be held responsible for their own success or lack of it?

And what happens when Bylsma (or whomever they permanently hire) doesn't get them into the playoffs or even motivates them to play harder and look better than what they do now Will Shero continue to go through coaches until they start winning and change their attitudes, but what if that doesn't happen—then what?

So what's my bottom line? I honestly think Shero really messed up here and it is not something that started Monday when he fired Therrien, it began in the offseason and has been an open wound that's been festering up to this point.

I'm hoping that I'm proved wrong because otherwise it would be at the expense of the team's success; however, I truly believe that this recent move will only make things worse for the immediate future of the Penguins and not the positive change they so desperately need.

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