Problems for the Pittsburgh Penguins?

December came and went and it was not a festive holiday season for the organization. The Penguins only won five out of 14 games in the month of December. They ran into a hot Bruins team just before the New Year and were outplayed in a 5-2 loss. Immediately following the game a players only meeting was held. What was said stayed inside the room.

Therrien stated that some players seem to be focused more on individual agendas and not the teams. He questioned the leadership of his team and he quickly dismissed that it was directed at Crosby. Shouldn't the Coaching staff accept some of the blame as well?

I think the Penguins lack veteran leadership, but there is none lacking from Captain Sidney Crosby. Sidney has proved night in and night out that he is the teams leader both on and off the ice.

One problem is the rotating the Alternate Captains. I am a firm believer that there needs to be consistency in a team's environment. Rotating the "A" every month doesn't allow for that. It's obvious to me that Gonchar is definitely an Alternate Captain upon return. I would submit that Brooks Orpik should wear the other. He is their best defensive player and plays each shift as hard as the last.

Before the game against the Thrashers on January 7th, they were 0 for 32 on the power play. Assistant Coach Mike Yeo should have been escorted out of the Igloo, IMO. Pair that with the losses that were piled up during the abysmal run and it's truly amazing he still has a job. Teams live and die with their special teams. In saying that, having players like Crosby, Malkin, Sykora, Staal, Goligoski, and others, there is no excuse for that type of talent to go 0 for 32 on the power play.

One of the biggest losses is that of Gonchar. He cannot be replaced with the players we currently have on the roster. He's one of the best at quarterbacking the power play in the NHL and is second to none in moving the puck out of their own end. I miss watching him dance across the blue line in the offensive zone.

Losing Ryan Malone was a big loss, but the Pens could not afford him. His grit. size, and locker room presence are sorely missed though.

A number of players have not played up to their potential. Most obvious is Miroslav Satan. He has been a bust thus far and was recently demoted to the fourth line. He plays with very little intensity and I've seen him peel off an offensive rush more than once to go to the bench.

Jordan Staal has carried his Sophomore slump into his third year in the NHL. There were a couple games in November where he lifted his offensive game, but quickly fell off the charts soon after. This kid is only 20 and he has a lot of upside, but he's an RFA at years end and a third line center. He has yet to show the scoring touch he displayed in his rookie year. Shero needs to trade Staal sooner than later.

Mark Eaton was signed to a two-year, 4 million dollar contract in the off-season. This signing still boggles me. He lacks in every way as a defenseman in the NHL. In the last couple games he has logged more ice time than Brooks Orpik!!! Don't believe me, take a look for yourself on any website that provides Box Score Stats.

So what do the Penguins need to get back on track?
1) Trade Staal before he walks and shed salary elsewhere (ie. Satan & Eaton) if possible.
2) Get a winger for Crosby.
3) A healthy Gonchar.
4) Productive special teams.

In the meantime they need to keep pace with the teams above them and string some wins together. I do see them in the playoffs, but not going very far if management keeps things status quo...