BEHIND THE BENCH: Michel Therrien didn’t have as much to work with this year as he did last year. (Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
Last weekend, Pittsburgh Penguins head coach Michel Therrien got the axe less than one calendar year after taking his team to the Stanley Cup finals.
Despite having two of the top three point-getters in the NHL, in Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby, the team is in danger of missing the postseason.
The Pens started the week in 10th place in the Eastern Conference, two places back of where they need to be and a long way back from their second place finish last year.
There are a number of reasons why Therrien walked the proverbial plank.
Executive VP and GM Ray Shero didn’t give any reasons when the announcement was made last Sunday night, saying only that the team needed a change of direction.
"You hear that in pro sports, that the team may have tuned the coach out, or the coach may have lost the team, but I’m not sure if you can pinpoint that," Shero said.
"As the general manager of the team, I’m very close from watching, it’s just a feeling—the timing is right."
But one need only to look at the roster to see that Therrien lacked a number of the weapons he had last year.
Right winger Marian Hossa, who had 26 points in the playoffs with the Pens after being acquired at the trade deadline, bolted for Detroit in the off-season.
Pittsburgh native Ryan Malone, who netted 51 points in 77 games and 16 points in 20 postseason games, saw his negotiating rights dealt to Tampa Bay.
Offensive-minded defenseman Sergei Gonchar just returned from a dislocated left shoulder; he scored 65 regular season points last year with 14 more in the playoffs.
A number of hockey insiders claim that Therrien’s outspoken style didn’t sit well with a number of players.
A coach who isn’t afraid to speak his mind is refreshing and can command the players’ respect. However, taking it too far can cost the coach credibility—something that Therrien lost as early as last spring.
Shortly after the conclusion of last year’s Stanley Cup, the Toronto Sun reported that despite making the finals, a number of Pittsburgh’s players said that they hated their coach.
“No one will choose the Stanley Cup final as a forum to call out their coach but there are far too many whispers out there that too many players can’t stand working for—or with—Therrien,” the Sun said.
“If that isn’t an issue to be dealt with immediately, it is certainly something that will grow with time.”
And Therrien’s time came over the weekend.
His replacement, ironically enough, shares a similar background with Therrien—the Pens’ minor league affiliate, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
Dan Bylsma is very enthusiastic about his new job.
“I’m a passionate person and energetic person,” Bylsma said.
“I believe you need commitment, passion and a high energy level. That’s how I approach life.”
The team played better in its first game under Bylsma, a 3–2 shootout loss to the lowly Islanders, then they did in a poor 6–2 loss to Toronto—a game that ultimately sealed Therrien’s fate.
The Pens took another small step in the right direction Thursday night with a 5–4 victory over a team in turmoil—the Montreal Canadiens. No better tonic to get back on the right track than to play a team heading in the wrong direction.
Therrien didn’t take any parting shots at his former team and even predicted that the Pens would make the postseason. They are currently four points back of Buffalo for that final playoff spot.
