Penguins fire their coach.

[MrPerson]

UNIONDALE, N.Y. -- Penguins general manager Ray Shero describes Dan Bylsma as "one of the up-and-coming coaches" in hockey.

He's also the new coach of the Penguins.

Mr. Shero fired Michel Therrien as coach last evening and replaced him with Mr. Bylsma, a former National Hockey League tough guy who has been coaching the Penguins' American Hockey League affiliate in Wilkes-Barre.

http://post-gazette.com/pg/09047/949493-61.stm

This was a dumb move. The guy coached them to the finals last year.

[Upton]

1. Told ya they were in trouble

this is a desperate move because right now they are out of a playoff spot.

[MrPerson]

2. I disagree. They just got Gonchar back.

He was the key man on their power play.

The lack of effectiveness on the power play is the reason they were struggling.

I just prefer continuity of coaching.

Imagine if the Steelers had fired Chuck Noll after his 1-13 season in 1969.

[Upton]

3. They've got 25 games left

last year the eighth place team had 94 points, the Pens right now have only 59...do the math, they're in trouble.

[MrPerson]

4. They're 5 pts. out of 7 or 8. Nope. Plenty of time.

[Upton]

6. Sure there's time

but with the prevalence of 3 point games in the "new" NHL, 5 points is a much larger margin than it used to be.

The Penguins are going to have to play well the rest of the season. I do hope they make it, they're my favorite Eastern Conference team.

[SteelPenguin]

5. yeah this was a dumb move

typical hockey dumbness. Why stick with long term success when all we care about is the next 20 games. I knew this was coming, but I still think it's an idiotic move. Gonchar just came back, the problems weren't from the coach.

*sigh*

[TheOneAndOnly]

7. simple response

The simple response is that he is the scapegoat. I don't think he deserved being fired but that is life now in the world of sports.

[Condem]

8. Not a hockey fan, MrPerson.

But is Ray any relation to Fred of the 70's Flyers? Grew up with those teams. I COULD google it, but Baby, How long ya gonna keep me in the penalty box?
The great Dave Schultz, ladies and gentlemen.

[PRETZEL]

10. Ray Shero is Fred's son,

and although I agree it's not the best of moves, the truth is after watching the game against Toronto saturday nite, something had to be done.

He lost his team. They don't want to play for him right now.

I just don't think bringing in someone with no NHL coaching experience was the best thing either.

[Condem]

11. Thank you, PRETZEL

The name sounded familiar.

[underpants]

9. Wow the intricate maneuvers of a hockey coach

or COUCH they are pretty much the same