An Eventful Past 72 Hours in the Penguins Organization

A week after the Penguins were swept in the most embarrassing way possible by the Boston Bruins in the Eastern Conference Final, speculation about the the future of the franchise began to emerge.

A future in which Dan Bylsma was no longer the head coach and Evgeni Malkin was going solo, breaking away from the Penguins and Sidney Crosby. Funny how both camps were proven wrong Wednesday and Thursday.

Penguins General Manger Ray Shero has pulled off several blockbuster deals at the trade deadline since he was hired in 2006. His latest masterpiece did not live up to the expectations of a "dream team" for Pittsburgh. Jarome Iginla, Brenden Morrow and Douglas Murray could only do so much, but didn't accomplish what Shero had in mind: Players who could help the Penguins get through a series against a team like the Bruins.

Bylsma's job status was in limbo until Wednesday morning around 11:10am as Shero answered every reporters top question about his head coach right from the start. For those who wanted Bylsma shown the door, it didn't happen. A two year extension for both him and his assistant Tony Granato and Todd Reirden turned out to be the decision.

The first 24 hours showed us that Ray Shero believes in Bylsma and his staff going forward. That probably doesn't dismiss the idea that Shero might change his mind if the Penguins are struggling come February, and could easily dismiss Bylsma. He gave Michel Therrien a two year extension in 2008. We all remember the Valentines Day massacre in Toronto that lead to his demise and Bylsma's rise.

Shero also gained a lot more respect from the media and fans as he sat for over an hour and answered questions that needed answered and outlined what he believed are the best steps to take going forward. Some might say that he himself is putting his job on the line, but that's something a good General Manager does.

Day 2 proved to be an eventful day that we knew was inevitable, but didn't expect just under 24 hours after the most important decision was made regarding the organization.

Evgeni Malkin's new contract that will pay him $76 million over the next eight years keeps him in Pittsburgh for most of the remainder of his career, and will keep the duo of him and Crosby together.

Again, let's look at the speculation that was surrounding Malkin. Some wanted to believe that Malkin might not go for a new contract with Pittsburgh. People saying that he would be happier wearing the "C" in another city instead of feeling like a second banana to Crosby. I guess Geno didn't feel that way after all. Even though it means nothing to either, Malkin is making more money than Crosby now.

So, Bylsma is safe for now and Malkin is settling down in Pittsburgh for a while. Guess Friday will be quiet, right? Well it was until around five in the afternoon.

The first half of the NHL Awards were announced Friday afternoon, and Ray Shero was awarded General Manager of the Year.

For Shero, after making a late night acquisition in Jarome Iginla that would eventually come off as a failure to many in the hockey world, still walked out of the 2013 season with hardware that showed all of us that out of 30 general managers, he was the best at his job in this lockout shortened season.

In a 72 hour period, the news surrounding the Pittsburgh Penguins has walked most of the fanbase off the ledge after watching their team get held to just two goal in a series, and be humiliated in four games against the Bruins.

Whether you think Ray Shero is right or wrong, he still has faith in his current staff. Evgeni Malkin wanted to agree to a new deal with the Penguins as far back as last summer, and even if you think he didn't deserve it, Shero got the hardware to show everyone that he is good at his job despite the shortcomings of his team. 

With a few of the many items on the to do list marked off after three days, there will still be big decisions for Ray Shero and the Penguins to make regarding free agency and a new deal that might come for players like Kris Letang. But as of right now, Pittsburgh is off to a good start.