SLAP SHOTS

     Mrs. Black-N-Gold has calmed down since our Pittsburgh Penguins suffered elimination at the hands of the New York Strangers following Friday night's 2-1 OT defeat. The Pens have conducted their exit interviews and cleared out their lockers, heading for the golf course. For some, their futures are uncertain.

      Over the weekend the Pens front office did make clear the futures for GM Jim Rutherford and Coach Mike Johnston. It was announced that both would return next season. What about the rest of the coaching staff? And how about the entire team, for that matter?

     It was speculated repeatedly during the regular season that the team would be blown up and re-built from the ground up if the Pens exited the postseason early. Well, here we are with a round one flameout. Where do the Pens go from here? Early reports are that ownership flat our refuses to trade the core of the team, Cs Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, G Marc-Andre Fleury and D Kris Letang. Over the weekend it was reported that both Sid and Geno have expressed a desire to remain in Pittsburgh. Although both finished among the league points leaders, both also underperformed badly during the playoffs. Flower is coming off a career year and was the one bright spot in an otherwise dismal postseason. Tanger had another injury-riddled season and finished the year on the IR.

     Yes, injuries did play a major role in the Penguins season, yet again. This fact was made abundantly clear when Rutherford failed to consider the salary cap whilst he was dealing with the injuries to his roster. Thus leaving the Pens shorthanded at the end of the regular season. Hopefully this will be a shortcoming on the GM's part that he corrects during his tenure in Pittsburgh.

     And as the Pens were falling apart down the stretch, their coach was doing his best John Russell impersonation behind the bench. For those that don't know, Russell was the stoic, lifeless coach of the Pittsburgh Pirates during the end of their playoff-free years. When the Penguins needed a fire lit under them to keep them moving, Johnston just stood their, without so much as a match.

     For sure the Pens will have to say goodbye to some of their greybeards who have outlived their usefulness and their contracts. We may have seen the last of Chris Kunitz, Rob Scuderi and Craig Adams in Black-N-Gold. Here's hoping that this regime becomes a little more open to integrating the youngsters into the lineup. They didn't exhibit that trait this season and neither did the previous regime. How do you expect the next generation to get their feet wet if they're not allowed in the pool? Besides, Mrs. Black-N-Gold heard too many times during the NY series how fast the Strangers are. Some young, fresh legs may inject some life into a stagnant Penguins locker room.

     The Pens need to get young and to get Sid and Geno the supporting cast that they so desperately need and deserve. They've wasted too many years with too little talent beside them. And if Rutherford and Johnston ultimately prove that they're not up to the challenge, don't be slow to show them the door. There's only so many times that fans can say "Wait until next year". Let's Go Pens!!!