Dan Bylsma Gets 3-Year Extension

The Penguins haven't exactly been the Steelers when it comes to matters of continuity with their head coach, but they took another step towards changing that today.

Matt Cooke Facing Disciplinary Hearing

Another day, another Matt Cooke controversy...this time, it was his hit on Fedor Tyutin in last night's 4-1 Columbus win that is drawing the attention of Garage League Headquarters. For the record, Cooke received a five-minute major for charging on the play, but the Blue Jackets are crying foul. Those cries will be heard, as Cooke has a Wednesday disciplinary hearing scheduled with the league.

Cooke and Dan Bylsma both defended the hit, as you would probably expect, but I'm not too optimistic about the outcome of this one. Cooke has too often put himself in the middle of these controversies, and by now it's perceived that such plays are no accident. He's quickly becoming the James Harrison of the NHL, at least in the sense that his reputation precedes him, and he may very well have to sit down and cool off for a while after this latest event.

Mondesi's House: The Director's Cut (more links, commentary, etc): twitter.com/mondesishouse
Email: mondesishouse@gmail.com

Fleury-Johnson: There is No Right Answer

This picture sorta summarizes the first month of Penguins season, no? Some thoughts on the controversy that just won't die:

NOT THE OUTCOME WE WERE HOPING FOR

The Pittsburgh Penguins squandered a 2-1 second-period lead en route to a tough 4-3 loss in Montreal on Monday night. The Pens' loss sets up a win-or-go-home Game Seven on Wednesday night in Pittsburgh, the first such Game Seven in the city since Florida beat the Penguins on June 1, 1996, sending the Panthers and their rat-throwing fans to the Stanley Cup as a result. A Penguin win this time around would boost them into the Eastern Conference Finals for the third consecutive year; a loss would end their title defense and also would be the final game ever played in Mellon Arena. The stakes, as they say, could not be higher.

But I'm getting ahead of myself in discussing Game Seven, because we first have to revisit Monday's loss, an extremely disappointing contest played in front of 21,273 rabid Montreal fans. I'll cut right to the chase: there was some good news and some bad news for the Flightless Birds. I'll start with the good news: Sidney Crosby finally scored a goal in the series, Kris Letang netted his fifth of the postseason, and the Penguins did battle back to score a third goal late in the final period on a Bill Guerin deflection. 

Unfortunately, the bad news came in greater numbers on this night for the Pens. The defense, for the most part, was pretty bad in front of Marc-Andre Fleury, who himself was mediocre at best. Evgeni Malkin came back to Earth from a great Game Five, the power play hit only once on five attempts, and the Penguins allowed the insane Montreal crowd to become a huge part of the game. 

Combine that with the fact that the Habs were playing without Hal Gill and Andrei Markov, the Penguins were not getting the bounces, and Pittsburgh's failure to display the same level of desperation as Montreal, and it's not too hard to see how we've reached a Game Seven. It's no surprise to me - I thought all along that this one was going seven, regardless of the fact that the Pens were/are the favorites and the fact that Montreal beat a team that's become known as a playoff underachiever. But beating the #1 seed is beating the #1 seed, and if Montreal could pull that off, any other opponent was fair game. To boot, they had (and still have) an outstanding goalie in Jaroslav Halak, and Mike Cammalleri has now scored five goals in each series. Seeing this series extended to a seventh game should not raise many eyebrows.

The Pens will have to come out with their collective hair on fire on Wednesday night, to get the crowd even more involved in the game (although I have a feeling the fans will surely be bringing their A-game). Dan Bylsma and Co. will have some work between now and then to tweak strategies, matchups, and lineups, but if the Pens can't do better than they did on Monday night, it will be a heck of a sad night in the Steel City. The end of the Penguins' title defense and hockey in Mellon Arena in one night might be too much to handle. Obviously, the answer is easy for these potential problems: the Pens just have to go out and win the game.

Email your feedback, questions, and tips Mondesishouse@gmail.com

SURGERY FOR JORDAN STAAL

During the Pens' 6-3 win over Montreal last night, Jordan Staal injured his right leg after an undercut by P.K. Subban near the midpoint of the second period and did not return. And early word is that the news is not good on the team's third-leading regular season scorer, who already underwent surgery on Friday night to repair a severed tendon that runs across the top of his foot to his toe.

Reports vary on the length of time that Staal will be out; coach Dan Bylsma told reporters at the morning skate on Saturday that Staal was day-to-day, TSN's Bob McKenzie says Staal could be back in the third round, if not sooner, and other reports have him missing the rest of the postseason. Basically, it looks like the hockey media doesn't honestly have any clue as to the length of the injury and is changing their story on a regular basis.

Whatever the case, the guy is obviously hurt on some level, and that's going to make life a little tougher for the Pens, as you would expect when losing a Selke Trophy nominee for an undetermined length of time. It's now in the hands of Bylsma to re-assemble the celebrated third line, which is also dealing with a leg injury to Tyler Kennedy, and that's no small task.

Email your feedback, questions, and tips Mondesishouse@gmail.com 

FEDOTENKO SCRATCHED, RUPP TO DRESS

Disco Dan is shuffling the deck for Game Two tonight, sending Ruslan Fedotenko to the pines, to be replaced by Pascal Dupuis on the second line and Mike Rupp on the roster. It's not a huge surprise, but it's pretty obvious that someone not named Fleury was going to be the sacrificial lamb for the tean's performance on Wednesday night, and Fedotenko fit the bill. It's also worth noting that Fedotenko scored seven goals in last year's Cup run and is a decorated playoff veteran; this was not your run-of-the-mill benching.

Rob Rossi compared the move to last year's benching of Petr Sykora, a onetime-teammate of Bylsma's in Anaheim, and suggests that the punishment could be subject to any forward not named Crosby, Malkin, or Staal. But whatever the case, Bylsma had to to something, because tonight is a crucial game by anyone's account, even if we're only one game deep into the series.

Email your feedback, questions, and tips Mondesishouse@gmail.com

PENGUINS VISIT THE WHITE HOUSE

Here's your first shot of Barack Obama's visit with Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins, who made a visit to the White House just two days before the start of training camp and just two hours before the start of the Steelers' title defense. As President Obama said today, "With the Steelers and Penguins, I guess it's a good time to be a sports fan in Pittsburgh." Truer words have never been spoken.

Obama, who was given a #44 Penguins jersey, singled out Crosby, owner Mario Lemieux, Coach Dan Bylsma, and Evgeni Malkin (who was taking photos on his camera phone while the President addressed the team) during his speech. Of Lemieux, Obama said, "Having Mario Lemieux here is a pretty big deal. He won a couple of these trophies as a player, but this is his first as an owner. He's still got a big smile on his face, so I guess it feels good this way too."

While in the Land of Ovechkin today, Crosby, along with Bill Guerin, Jordan Staal, Marc-Andre Fleury and Brooks Orpik, took part in the 'Hockey In The Hood' program. Said Sid of the experience: “They said there were a lot of Capitals fans out there. They said I was their second favorite. It's fun. Kids in general, no matter where they're from, or where they're playing. They're out there because they love it, so it doesn't matter. They're easy to teach, they want to learn. It's just, it's fun."

More photos and video will be posted as it becomes available. But I think we'll be occupied for the next few hours regardless.

UPDATE:

Here's the PG's article and a new pic

Stanley Cup Champion Penguins Visit White House [WPXI]
President Welcomes Stanley Cup Champs To White House [WTAE]

Email: Mondesishouse@gmail.com Twitter: twitter.com/mondesishouse Facebook: Facebook Group

ESPN PODCAST: PENS-WINGS, FROM EVERY CONCEIVABLE ANGLE

Dave and I were shot out of a cannon for this week's podcast, but we both were somehow able to recover following the excitement of Game Six. I think a few IVs were used. But as the post title implies, our lengthy conversation tried to capture what we just witnessed and what we will witness one day from now.

First off, there were questions galore. Who are the Conn Smythe favorites? Which Marc-Andre Fleury shows up for Game Seven? Who has been the most prominent of the Penguins' role players in the postseason? And why does a team whose colors are black and gold have whiteouts while waving white towels?

Those were just a few of the talking points. But ponder this topic of discussion (which I don't want to acknowledge): what happens if the Pens lose Game Seven? Does it in any way cast a shadow over the organization moving forward? And what would that mean for the 'Pittsburgh sports 2009' legacy? Will it be jubilation over holding the Stanley Cup and Lombardi Trophy at the same time, a feat that's never been done, or will it be another notch in the excruciating Pittsburgh loss category, right after an Elite Eight game lost on a buzzer-beater?

We then move to the truly important angles, like the assorted curses and jinxes at play: the Wings being on the cover of SI, King Crosby holding the Wales Trophy, Dan Bylsma eating at Qdoba, and so on. There's a lot of ground to cover, and we gave it our best shot. With that behind us, now all we can do is sit back and try to pass the time until this legacy-etching event begins on Friday night. Any suggestions?

To listen, please click here. And as always, your support is always appreciated.

*Also, Dave taped a bonus segment with Puck Daddy's Greg Wyshynski, which you can listen to here

Email: Mondesishouse@gmail.com Twitter: twitter.com/mondesishouse Facebook: Facebook Group

NEWS AND NOTES

--Soak in this sentence for a minute:

"Prized prospect Andrew McCutchen made a splashy major-league debut with a 3-for-5 showing that included three runs, an RBI and a stolen base as a leadoff batter."

Pirates 11, Mets 6. Nate McWho?

--After tweaking his knee yesterday, Large Ben returned to practice today. You can get down from the ledge. [Trib]

--A Pens fan got an octopus in the mail from a Wings fan, then promptly sent it back after giving it an official Primanti's treatment. Because as you know, Primanti's sandwiches are the only thing we eat in Pittsburgh. [WPXI]

--Hopefully Dan Byslma will eat a lucky burrito from Qdoba today [96.1 Kiss Freak Show]

--Here's your chance to buy a true piece of baseball history: it's an auction for the ball thrown by Baba Booey at his infamous first-pitch disaster against the Pirates. And you get his worn jersey too! [Charity Buzz]

--Bob Smizik calls the McLouth trade a "bold gamble worth taking". This follows yesterday's column, "Pirates give up on present by trading McLouth". I'm confused. [Bob Smizik Blog]

--ESPN 1250's next Lunch with a Legend has been announced: you can dine in the presence of James Farrior and Deshea Townsend at Morton's on June 10. [ESPN 1250]

Email: Mondesishouse@gmail.com Twitter: twitter.com/mondesishouse Facebook: Facebook Group

BYLSMA NAMED PERMANENT COACH

Finally, it's official: Disco Dan Bylsma has been named the permanent coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins. And all it took was an 18-3-4 record in the regular season, plus a first-round playoff series win against Philadelphia.

Bylsma and Ray Shero ironed out contract details last night, and the team found out before practice today.

"Dan has done such an impressive job with our team, both on and off the ice, that we didn't see the need to wait any longer to announce our decision," said Penguins executive vice president and general manager Ray Shero. "He is the man we want to lead the Pittsburgh Penguins as our head coach."

Said Disco:

"I want to thank Ray Shero and our ownership for giving me this tremendous opportunity to be the head coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins," Bylsma said. "I'm humbled. I'm excited. And I look forward to continuing to lead our hockey team."

You wonder what took so long, but hey, better late than never. Congrats to Coach Bylsma, who can quickly add to his young legacy in the coming weeks. And nice work by Shero locking up the man who helped turn around this season in a remarkably short period of time. Let's hope Bylsma's success as coach can continue for years to come.

Bylsma Agrees To Multiyear Deal As Penguins Head Coach [WPXI]

Send your news, tips, and links to Mondesishouse@gmail.com.

DAN BYSLMA NEEDS TO UPDATE HIS WEBSITE

It's hard to criticize new Pens coach Disco Dan Byslma for much of anything, but one look at his website shows that it probably could use some updating, considering he last played for the Anaheim Ducks in, oh, 2004. But I digress. There's a wealth of information on our new coach that I never knew existed before it was recently pointed out to me.

Among the Dan Bylsma trivia nuggets unearthed:

--He's written four books already. Who knew?

--He talks about smelly equipment. That's always a good ice-breaker.

--He was featured on televangelist Dr. Robert H. Schuller's "Hour of Power" television program in 2001.

--He's had at least 550 stitches and 26 broken bones during his playing career.

--Sometimes he was in awe of Mario Lemieux as a player. Nothing wrong with that.

--Wayne Gretzky is not really a bad person.

--There's a Dan Bylsma Charitable Trust Fund to assist children with the high costs of hockey equipment.

OK, he needs to update his color scheme. But the main point that was impressed upon me in my brief time on his site is what a good guy he appears to be. Many pro athletes wouldn't give the average Joe the time of day, let alone answer questions about stinky hockey gear or set up trust funds to benefit kids. So not only did the Pens get a great interim coach, but they got the double-bonus of a good human being. Will this good guy be behind the bench next year? That, my friends, is a question that has not yet been answered.

Danbylsma.com

Send your news, tips, and links to Mondesishouse@gmail.com.

SERIOUSLY, THE PENGUINS CAN'T LOSE

PENGUINS 4
PANTHERS 3
SHOOTOUT

When the Penguins were down 3-1 in the third period last night, I started telling myself things like, "well, it was a nice run while it lasted". But the Boys of Winter finally broke through, getting goals from Jordan Staal and Sidney Crosby to send the game into overtime and later getting shootout goals from Kris Letang and Geno Malkin, sending 17,132 home with smiles on their faces. It was a huge 4-3 victory that keeps the Pens right in the thick of the Eastern Conference playoff picture.

That's seven wins in a row, the Pens' longest streak since winning eight in a row from December 23, 2007, through January 10, 2008. Disco Dan is now 9-1-1 as head coach and making Ray Shero and Company look very good, although I don't think anyone anticipated a coaching change and a shuffle of the roster having such immediate positive results.

As for the game itself, the Penguins outshot Florida 50-21, their first 50-shot game since a contest early last season at Toronto. It's pretty obvious that Florida goalie Tomas Vokoun was at the end of his rope when he allowed two of three shootout attempts to get past him. Sooner or later, the dam is going to break. In this game, it happened to be "later".

On the flip side, Marc-Andre Fleury did not have the greatest game of his career, but once again came up huge in the shootout. He's been between the pipes for every win on this streak. Crosby has a seven-game point streak going, and Geno had a strong night in front of Mom and Dad Malkin. Then when you factor in Staal's goal, it's safe to say that the "nucleus" truly came through in this game.

As the PG's graphic points out, the Penguins now sit in sixth place in the East, although you can see that no spot is safe:

The victory party continues Thursday at Columbus, when the puck drops at 7:08. That's also the same approximate time that Pitt tips off in the Big East Tournament, so let's hope for results as good as we got this weekend from our championship-aspiring teams.

Send your news, tips, and links to Mondesishouse@gmail.com.

THE PENS CAN'T BE STOPPED

PENGUINS 4
CAPITALS 3
SHOOTOUT

Calling all who want to trade Sidney Crosby: we might just want to keep him around. On Sunday, Crosby had the ultimate revenge on Alexander Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals, notching a goal, assist, and the game's only shootout goal in a 4-3 Penguins victory. The win concludes the first 5-0 road trip in franchise history and runs Disco Dan Bylsma's record to an unreal 8-1-1 since replacing Michel Therrien on February 15.

As displayed on Sunday, Crosby seems to have developed an instant chemistry with new linemates Bill Guerin and Chris Kunitz, who combined for a goal and three assists in the victory. Once again, Ray Shero's deadline moves seem to have scratched exactly where the Penguins itched.

Marc-Andre Fleury also came up yuuuuuuge in the win, stopping all three Capital shooters (including Ovechkin) in the shootout and stonewalling a number of key shots in regulation and OT. MAF, who at one point this season had lost six of seven, has won eight of his last nine contests and has been a key component in the Penguins' recent resurgence.

More than any other indvidual suiting up on Sunday, this game was about Crosby, who surely felt he had something to prove after being outplayed and somewhat shown up by Ovechkin in the last meeting. Sid smartly kept his cool, avoided any major incidents, and played his game in reminding the hockey world what Sidney Crosby is all about. Yes, Ovechkin did score a goal, but in crunch time it was Crosby who delivered when his team truly needed it.

Despite this incredible run, the Pens hold just a one-point cushion in the eight playoff spot, as this convenient ESPN illustration would point out:

The Pens' schedule picks up with an actual home game against Florida on Tuesday, where they will probably get a nice reception/10-minute standing ovation. While the road wins are nice, there's nothing wrong with taking one at home, either.

Send your news, tips, and links to Mondesishouse@gmail.com.

Koz: TRADE DEADLINE WRAPUP

It's time for a guest column from our old friend Koz, who reflects in the afterglow of the trade deadline from the Penguin point of view. And now, in the words of Koz...

It's not been long since the Pens looked dead in the water. The coaching change rekindled a smoldering team and its playoff chances, but a Stanley Cup seems unlikely. As we reflect in the hangover of the trade deadline, this years Penguins are built to make a run, but no move was made to go “all in.”

As of today, the Penguins need to go 10-7 to make the playoffs. James Mirtle has put together the “playoff push” at fromtherink.com. Seeing that no team makes the playoffs in the shootout era with less than 90 points in the standings, this is a good gauge. Given the competition this season, it looks as though it will take closer to 92 points. The Pens have what I would call six “swing games” left – games against opponents also competing for the same playoff spot. Losing a swing game will have a big impact on the playoff push figure.

Is it more Dan Bylsma or is it that its NOT Michel Therrien? Too early to say, but I'm leaning toward the latter. The players were professional by not burying their old coach in the media, but they sure play like they are glad he's gone.

I've been for trading Jordan Staal, but I'm glad he's still around. Considering the players who moved and where the team stands, the value wasn't there and there's no need to be hasty.

Bye-bye Ryan Whitney. Should have seen this coming when my Penguins season schedule Windows wallpaper featured Orpik and Gonchar but no Whitney. Who knows what's going on with his foot problems, but inconsistent play (a career “minus” player) and other young puck moving defensemen waiting in the wings make this a good move. You have to “give to get” and Shero got out early on what might be end up an unfortunate contract for Whitney's future employer – he is inked for $4.5, $5, and $5.5 million in the last three years of his deal. That's Gonchar money and clearly Whitney isn't that.

The Pens didn't trade Sidney Crosby. Sorry to disappoint the growing numbers in the mainstream media who have been talking about this. While I don't think anyone was suggesting it as a deadline option, this is an “only in fantasy hockey” option. Trading Crosby in real life is a no-win situation and anyone who seriously suggests it is a loser. There is no way to get significant value for a once-in-a-generation talent and marketable figure. Evgeni Malkin is the Penguins best player, but that doesn't make Crosby a tradable commodity. Until Crosby can score more goals and dominate the play by himself, Malkin will be the team MVP.

Chris Kunitz has certainly had impact early. Amazing how a powerplay changes with a suitable quarterback (Gonchar) and someone to bang home rebounds and cause traffic in front. He's cheaper than Ryan Malone, signed through '11/'12, and has a higher points per game (.62 to .58).

The Pens got a lot this deadline without giving much away. Come to think of it, did they really give that much away last year? Christensen is still mediocre on good days and now been traded again, who knows what will become of that draft pick, and Esposito is far away from being a contributor. Yeah, I miss Colby Armstrong, but I really liked the Stanley Cup Finals.

Speaking of Hossa, do you think he's reconsidered his decision to pass on seven years with Pittsburgh to go for a one year deal? Now our world's economy is in the crapper – affecting contract negotiations in all pro sports, the salary cap might shrink, and he had a near career-ending experience. I hope he's fine and bounces back, but these are exactly the reasons why you don't pass up long term deals.

Bill Guerin > Gary Roberts. I don't know if WWBGD wristbands will be the fashion rage this spring, but Guerin has found his way to the Penguins after being rumored in a few past season's deadline deals. He'll have more real impact (read: scoring) that the mythical impact of Roberts, but still adds plenty of grit. Add in that the Pens basically got him for zamboni tires and this can only be a good thing.

Anyone else hear about the rumors of Tampa trying to trade Ryan Malone back to Pittsburgh? Are these true? Did Ray Shero even take that phone call or did his assistant screen them? All future deals with Tampa might have to include a “no tradebacks” clause to help keep the phone lines clear during deadline time.

I was stunned the Florida Panthers held on to Jay Bouwmeester. They are definitely “all in” for a run this year. That's unfortunate for the Pens because they have three more games against the Panthers. In addition to being in direct competition for a playoff spot, it would have been much easier to play against them with their best player and heart ripped out by a trade made to rebuild for the future again . In some ways it's a nice move for Panthers fans (all 59 of them) that I'm sure any of you who still root for Pittsburgh's baseball club can appreciate, because they should have an exciting spring. I expect them to make the playoffs and maybe win one round, but Bouwmeester is 99.99% certain to sign anywhere but Florida this offseason as an unrestricted free agent.

The Philadelphia Flyers traded for Daniel Carcillo. As the Post Gazette's Empty Netters would point out, I think Carcillo actually has a PhD in puppy drowning. The Flyers will never win anything until they realize the NHL is not Mutant League Hockey for Sega Genesis.

Mark Recchi is a cougar. He's “experienced” (read: old) but can still get it done and he just lurks around the team for a fresh young team to pounce on. It won him a Cup in Carolina, got him back with the Pens last season (though they dumped him), sent him to Tampa (oops) who was spending money like a college grad with a signing bonus, and now has him leeching in Boston. I think New Jersey's defense, newfound scoring punch, and a fresh Brodeur makes the Devils the East favorite, but Boston has been tough all year.

Sean Avery is back with the Rangers. Perfect. I hate them both and will enjoy seeing them on the outside looking in in April. I like John Tortorella, but I don't see how he salvages that mess.

The Washington Capitals did nothing at the deadline, but I don't think they need much. They are the “new Penguins” with hot young talent like Ovechkin, Semin, Backstrom and Mike Green. Mike Green is an absolute beast with the puck – he excels in every way that Ryan Whitney underwhelms. Their biggest question is goaltending. If Theodore gets hot in the playoffs, which I find unlikely, the Caps would be really tough to beat. Airbrush artists are disappointed today because we didn't see many goalies swapping colors.

Montreal also stayed pat at the deadline. The pressure is mounting and this team has been floundering – good news for the Pens. I can only think of one way to explain the Canadiens falling out of the playoffs in their centennial season:

Thoughts? You can reach Koz at koz81@comcast.net.

CROSBY AND WHITNEY OUT TONIGHT

If I may take a moment to interject some non-Ovechkin-related Penguin news, it's been announced that both Sidney Crosby and Ryan Whitney will miss tonight's game against the Islanders: Crosby due to a sore groin, Whitney to a family matter that took him home to Boston. They will be replaced by Janne Pesonen and Kris Letang, respectively. This might be one of Pesonen's final shots with the club, and considering Dan Bylsma's familiarity with him, that just might happen.

The Pens will be sporting their blue uniforms tonight, and by my calculations, they're an underwhelming 2-4-1 when donning the alternates. Of course, with Crosby out of the lineup, Evgeni Malkin will probably score six goals, so the good and bad vibes all balance out in the end.

Crosby, Whitney out of Penguins lineup [PG]
About the Islanders - 2-25-09 [Empty Netters]

Send your news, tips, and links to Mondesishouse@gmail.com.

NOT A GOOD START

If you consider a 3-2 shootout loss to the league's worst team a good start for the Dan Byslma Era, you're a more optimistic person than I, because that's exactly what happened in a rare weekday afternoon game today on Long Island. The loss dropped the Pens to an unreal 1-7-2 in 2009 on the road [forgot to include that part in the original post]. Ugh.

I listened to most of the game online, and other than Phil Bourque getting overly excited about President's Day, there weren't many memorable moments from this contest. Sergei Gonchar did get his first point by assisting on Ryan Whitney's power play goal in the second, and Geno Malkin added a goal onto his league-leading point heap, but that's about it. Malkin and Sidney Crosby were both stopped in the shootout, and it was curtains for the first game under Mr. Byslma.

In other Pens-related news, Mad Mike Therrien said in an interview today that he thinks the Pens are still playoff-bound, and that he was basically blindsided by his firing, in the process adding that he thinks Byslma is "one of the up-and-coming young coaches". On both counts (the playoffs and Byslma), it's a coin-flip at this point. But after one game, there's one thing we can all say for sure: it's clear that Michel Therrien was not the entire problem.

Send your news, tips, and links to Mondesishouse@gmail.com.

PENS FIRE MICHEL THERRIEN

The Penguins have just parted ways with Head Coach Michel Therrien, who's been at the helm since replacing the Great Ed Olczyk Experiment in 2005-06. The interim coach will be Dan Bylsma, 38, who was most recently the head coach of the Pens' American Hockey League affiliate in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.

Assistant coach Andre Savard was reassigned within the organization, replaced by Pens director of player development Tom Fitzgerald. Assistant Mike Yeo and goaltending coach Gilles Meloche will be retained.

Bylsma was a nine-year NHL veteran (1995-2004) as a right winger with LA and Anaheim. He played in the 2003-04 Stanley Cup with the Ducks. He began his coaching career in '04-05 with Cincinnati of the AHL, then joined the New York Islanders as an assistant in 2005-06. He joined the Pens family in 2006-07 as the assistant to Todd Richards, and took over WB/S when Richards took an assistant coaching job with San Jose this season. Under Bylsma, the Baby Pens were 35-16-1-2.

I can't say I'm stunned one bit. In fact, if anything, I thought this would've happened a few weeks ago. But this probably won't be the first move the team will make to shake things up. And to think, all of this happens less than a year removed from a Stanley Cup appearance. But there's too much talent here to miss the playoffs, and as the saying goes, it's a lot easier to fire a coach than fire all the players.

Therrien's abrasive style can only last in one place so long, and I'm sure guys like Marc-Andre Fleury (who was also coached by Therrien in the minors) have long since tired of hearing his voice. You can't take away his accomplishments, which included the transition from 'collection of young players' to a jelled, championship-caliber unit. But it was bound to end sooner than later.

Best of luck in your future endeavors, Mad Mike, and thanks for the memories. We'll always have this...

Send your news, tips, and links to Mondesishouse@gmail.com.