This is SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NHL. Each week, SB Nation sends out questions to the most plugged in Pittsburgh Penguins fans, and fans across the country. Sign up here to join Reacts.
The success or failure of any team is dependent on a number of factors. Not only do the players need to be at the top of their game, but coaches and the front office need to put them in the best position to win.
According to the most recent SB Nation Reacts survey, 36 percent of Pittsburgh Penguins fans are confident the team is headed in the right direction. That is up from 21 percent last week and 23 percent two weeks ago. The Pens have won three straight games and five of the last six, but fans have been still a little slow to hop back on the bandwagon completely at this point.
Despite the dip in confidence, a majority of Penguins fans believe the leadership is in place to push the team in the right direction. Mike Sullivan has been in place for a while and always found a way to get good results over long stretches of a season, and Penguin fans recognize that right now.
General manager Ron Hextall is still very new to the job and hasn’t really put his imprint on the team yet, but fans seem to be open to him and are giving him the benefit of the doubt as his stint as he begins his role. This is cool and surprising to see, I wouldn’t have guessed that so many would have an open mind and positive thoughts about Hextall being so new. I highly, highly doubt if Jim Rutherford had not resigned that he would have a massive approval rating right now.
From a national perspective, confidence is very split. Just over half of hockey fans around the league said they are confident in Gary Bettman as NHL commissioner. The mark has dropped a few points from 56 percent over last summer.
To vote in the Reacts surveys and have your voice heard each week, sign up here.