Originally posted by torontoeers:
Thx for update...at least some promising news in what seems a downward trend of late, that could turn to a spiral unless the big guns return (and return to form)...
You had mentioned the desire of Mario tearing a strip off them the other day, and got me thinking...Part of the reason I liked the Johnston hire was the fact that he was thought to have a bit of a hard *** edge to his personality in Portland from what I know...mind you he was coaching and managing a bunch of 16-21 year olds in the WHL, which is certainly a different dynamic than dealing with NHL all-stars...in the post game presser's, practice etc have you noticed him as irritated/ angered at all with the performances of late? I see his blood boiling behind the bench from time to time but don't have a real feel for how or if he's cracking the whip when it seems it's really needed...LIKE NOW!
Thus far, I've seen
nothing publicly which would indicate Johnston is any kind of hard ***. Of course, you've already acknowledged the difference in coming to the NHL; so, even assuming he was a tougher guy in the WHL, you can understand why he's largely forced to tone things down given his incoming background.
I've also read nothing as to what kind of guy he is in the locker room. Of course, by definition, the goings-on in the locker room......especially the Penguins locker room..... are seldom (if ever) reported. For example, there was never a single word
ever reported about possible off-ice issues with Simon Despres.....even considering how he was used previously.....until
after he was traded. I've also recently read some Message Board stuff about how Chris Kunitz isn't happy this year; but you're not reading this in the newspapers (though I coincidentally read a local blogger just yesterday state the team has not been happy with CK's conditioning this season).
Anyway, back to your original question, perhaps Johnston cracks the whip more than anyone really knows......but if true, nobody is reporting it.