Once a model organization for goaltending performance and depth, the Pittsburgh Penguins play in net has largely gone downhill since the departure of goaltending coach Mike Bales in 2017. His replacement, Mike Buckley, watched as young starters Matt Murray and Tristan Jarry suffered through struggles and was unable to right the ship. The Penguins have decided that it is time for a new voice, especially after failing thus far in free agency to add a veteran mentor for Jarry. The team has announced that Buckley has been relieved of his duties and former Pittsburgh keeper Andy Chiodo has been hired as his replacement. Though new to the job, Chiodo has been with the organization in a development role since 2018. He has also previously worked as a goalie coach in the OHL and Canadian college ranks. Chiodo was considered a high-IQ goaltender during his playing days and will look to take his knowledge of the game and use it to improve the Penguins’ young, inconsistent net.
- Across the state, the Philadelphia Flyers have made some new additions of their own. The team announced that ten new names have joined the organization, five in hockey operations, two to the Flyers’ coaching staff, and three to the AHL’s Lehigh Valley Phantoms’ coaching staff. The headliner of the group is veteran executive Mike O’Connell, named Senior Advisor to the General Manager. A former GM of the Boston Bruins, made infamous as the architect of the Joe Thornton trade, O’Connell has quietly made a very positive difference for the Los Angeles Kings for the past 15 year in various roles in scouting and player development. O’Connell contributed to two Stanley Cup champions and has now helped to draft and develop arguably the best prospect pipeline in the NHL. Among the other front office hires were Pro Scout Nick Beverley, who has spent the past 16 years with the Nashville Predators and Amateur Scout Matt Bardsley, a former GM of the WHL’s Kamloops Blazers. In Lehigh Valley, the team named two assistants to Ian Laperriere’s staff, former WHL coach Jason Smith former ECHL coach Riley Armstrong.
- While the New York Rangers have lost some big names from their front office this off-season, they just poached a notable name for themselves. The Toronto Sun’s Lance Horsby reports that Toronto Maple Leafs Director of Amateur Scouting John Lilley has decided to leave the team to become Director of Player Personnel in New York. Lilley has been with Toronto since 2006, including the past three years as leader of amateur scouting and therefore the Maple Leafs’ drafts. His new title means even more responsibility with the Rangers, though Lilley will still be in charge of amateur scouting and will run the draft. The Maple Leafs have not named a replacement.
66TheNumberOfTheBest
“Once a model organization for goaltending performance and depth, the Pittsburgh Penguins play in net has largely gone downhill since the departure of goaltending coach Mike Bales in 2017. His replacement, Mike Buckley, watched as young starters Matt Murray and Tristan Jarry suffered through struggles and was unable to right the ship.”
That sums it up. It never made any sense to let Bales go.
jmartin87
Murray went from on top of paint and big to deep in net and small. Jarry showed same tendencies. Need a new voice. Buckley had to go. Best news not being pens signed a new goalie.
66TheNumberOfTheBest
My own two cents on why Buckley failed. WAY too focused on technical aspects and lost the bigger picture.
When Murray first came up, he just played big and most important, tracked the puck and battled. He read the play brilliantly.
After Bales left, Murray seemed to focus solely or at least too much on being technically sound. If he was in the right spot and covered 96% of the net, oh well if the puck hit that other 4%. He got into position for the first shot, if it beat him, oh well. If there was a rebound, oh well. While never a great athlete, it seemed like Buckley was so focused on making Murray a technician that it stripped all of the athleticism from his game. He became like a Shooter Tutor that was on his angle.
TJECK109
My biggest issue is why has it taken so long to make this move. Murray and Jarry were considered starters with a great future. Murray took a step back and Jarry stopped developing. This move was long overdue
mario crosby
Finally the Penguins make a change in goalie coach. Perhaps that’s why Hextall decided to give Jarry a second chance.
backhandinbaptist
I think Jerry is legit.. I hope he rebounds this year