Lets not all forget the direction the Penguins were heading under Johnston. The Penguins were starting to be written off as a team that was ever going to win a cup again. They were playing a stifling defensive game and it sapped creativity from Crosby and Malkin as that team was heading down the toilet fast with heated player only meetings. With the team out of the playoff race Rutherford fired Johnston where he was critical of the powerplay (26th overall) and how it wasn't capitalizing on the talent they had on the roster. Well we all know what a simple coaching change meant to that organization. The solution was always in the locker room and simply needed better strategy, direction, and leadership from the coaching staff.
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