NHL Rumors I: Pittsburgh Penguins – Lots Will Be Up To New GM

Mark Easson

11 years ago

Dejan Kovacevic: “Bottom line: Lemieux and Burkle want new GM to have total say in how @Penguins look. Including choosing anyone from current hockey ops.”

Will DePaoli: “Shero’s downfall lot of factors but ownership dumbfounded how he went away from targeting grit, character guys, compared to early tenure”

James Mirtle: Some think that the firing of only Ray Shero and not Dan Bylsma as well, was so that both don’t go to a competitor together.

Hope Smoke: Ray Ferraro: “It doesn’t seem likely that the next Pens GM will keep Bylsma unless Botterill is going to be the guy full time”

Hope Smoke: Nick Kypreos: “It doesn’t look good for your organization to keep successful guys like Bylsma and Babcock twisting in the wind” … “Bylsma held onto his job by the thinnest of threads by bringing in Jacques Martin this year” … “Maybe the Pens have a coach in mind that they just can’t get right now. I look at Babcock in Detroit” … “I don’t think letting Babcock go in Detroit right not (where they have empty seats) just doesn’t sell” … “If there is one job that entices Babcock to leave Detroit it is to coach Crosby”

Nick Cotsonika: “To be clear: Mike Babcock has one year left on his contract, and there is zero reason to think he is going anywhere right now. Fact: The Red Wings will sit down with Babcock at some point in the near future to discuss an extension. Opinion: I think Babcock will play out the last season of his contract and assess his options this time next year. Opinion: Babcock likes Detroit. He works fine with Holland. But he knows he will have great options. Why not leave options open? Opinion: If Babcock leaves next year, he’s going to go a team he thinks can win the Stanley Cup. Doesn’t need $ or rebuild.

Hope Smoke: Bob McKenzie: “I suppose anything is possible, but I’ll be shocked if Bylsma is coaching Pitt next season”