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The Pittsburgh Penguins don't have too much going for them right now, on or off the ice.
Expected to be one of the most improved teams in the NHL this season, coach Ed Olczyk's team has lost six games in a row and won only two of its last 10 outings. 'The most recent loss, a 5-0 beating at the hands of the Minnesota Wild in Pittsburgh, was particularly disheartening and has re-fueled rumours that head coach Olczyk could be on thin ice if the Penguins don't get things turned around in a hurry.
Sources suggest that the Penguins' home game on Saturday against the Colorado Avalanche could be pivotal in terms of Olczyk's future in Pittsburgh. Both owner Mario Lemieux and general manager Craig Patrick have been strongly supportive of Olczyk, but if there are many more games like the 5-0 loss to Minnesota, the Penguins may have no choice but to consider a coaching change.
Source say management has been canvassing some of the players for feedback on what's wrong with the team that spent considerable money in the off-season on free agents. The most common answer seems to be a "lack of structure."
That's interesting, considering the Penguins were lambasted in a Pittsburgh newspaper column last weekend that focused on the Pens' lack of structure, laissez faire attitude and questionable work habits in practice, dubbing the Penguins as "Club Mario."
As if all that isn't bad enough, things aren't going too well off the ice either.
Lemieux, who is currently sidelined with an irregular heartbeat and taking medication to correct it, is said to be greatly concerned with the long-term viability of the franchise in Pittsburgh. Sources say it's looking more and more like the Penguins won't get an all-important gaming license that would be the financial spark that could lead to the construction of a new building in Pittsburgh.
Without a new arena, it's generally conceded the Penguins are a losing proposition in Pittsburgh. If that gaming license doesn't come through and the prospects for a new building to replace Mellon Arena aren't great, it's believed Lemieux will start investigating the possibilities of relocating the franchise or selling the franchise to a new ownership group that would move it elsewhere.
All in all, it's a long way from the euphoria the franchise experienced when it won the draft lottery and installed Sidney Crosby as the new face of the franchise.
Suffice to say the Penguins can't keep going like they've been going -- on or off the ice.
