The housecleaning has begun in Pittsburgh. The Penguins announced Friday that general manager Ray Shero has been relieved of his duties. Head coach Dan Bylsma, previously reported to also be on the way out, will remain as head coach for now. The new general manager will make a decision on the future of the team's hockey operations, including Bylsma's status for next season.
It was pretty clear coming out of the disappointing series against the New York Rangers in which the Penguins blew a 3-1 series lead to lose in seven games that Pittsburgh ownership led by Mario Lemieux and Ron Burkle would not stand idly by.
"Our ownership group felt that it was time to move in a new direction," said Penguins president and CEO David Morehouse in a news conference to announce Shero's ouster. "We feel that new leadership could help us get back on track and achieve our goal of winning the Stanley Cup."
The new general manager will be charged with fully evaluating the team's hockey operations. The first order of busines is likely going to be deciding Bylsma's future.
Penguins a**istant general manager Jason Botterill will be the team's interim GM and is a candidate for the full-time role according to Morehouse, but it sounds like no major decisions regarding the club's structure will be made until the general manager position gets officially finalized.
Shero exits after eight seasons at the helm of the Penguins. He's had his share of ups and downs, but he helped put the team on a track for two Stanley Cup Final appearances, winning the top prize in 2009. He also secured long-term deals for some of the game's best players in Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. Shero was named the NHL's general manager of the year just last season. Tough business.