Do you seriously believe that if DB returns? The way he jerked the kid around this year was very telling to me what he thinks of the kid.
- Oneonta Penguin

Yes I do believe that.

Do you seriously believe that if DB returns? The way he jerked the kid around this year was very telling to me what he thinks of the kid.
- Oneonta Penguin

If Bylsma is back some of his roster management will be dictated by what Shero says/does. Despres will be a top 4 guy, especially if Letang is moved. Put it this way, he won't be a healthy scratch unless he is playing awful hockey (which I doubt).

-- I’ve skated my final lap here as the Penguin blogger. Thanks to everyone contributing to our site, along with the great feedback. I’ll be checking in on the site, posting comments. Ek & Eric have been fantastic to work with here at Hockey Buzz and if it weren't for some family issues I wouldn't be leaving.

Thank you John. It was fun while it lasted. Show up here sometimes. We'll miss your writting.
- Orpik44

Someone with John's talents can never truly be replaced. However, I'll do my best to fill the literary void.

As dumb as Bylsma's comments sounded that Bennett and Despres are top players on this team next year (due to his lack of actually playing them this year), they will be. We'll see how much Shero and Bylsma see eye to eye with roster management tomorrow.

Bylsma did a great job when he came in and got the Penguins to stop whining for a little bit and play hockey and win the cup. Unfortunately he doesn't seem to be able to do that anymore. I doubt any coach will do much better than he has unless Tippet becomes available though.

Pay attention to the answers from Vancouver fans:

Is Alain Vigneault a good coach, character? Would he be a good fit in Pittsburgh?
- Orpik44

He's a great coach with a veteran team. Dont let him anywhere near your rookies. He will destroy them.

Is Alain Vigneault a good coach, character? Would he be a good fit in Pittsburgh?
- Orpik44

Probably not, he's primarily a defensive minded coach that likes to roll 2 or 3 lines and cycle the puck in the offensive zone to wear down the opposition until a scoring chance is created. I don't think you have the players that would make what he tends to fall back on work.

Is Alain Vigneault a good coach, character? Would he be a good fit in Pittsburgh?
- Orpik44

He's a great regular season coach with a veteran team. He doesn't do much in the way of "coaching" the young kids. He leaves that entirely up to his associate coaches. Same with talking to players during games and drawing out game plans mid game (last minute, special teams, etc).

He's very media friendly. He can even speak french if Mario likes that sort of thing.

He is also a horrible playoff coach.


Seems like a copy of our Disco Dan in some ways haha Perhaps he's not the best option out there. Time to look for Tippett info.

If Bylsma is back some of his roster management will be dictated by what Shero says/does. Despres will be a top 4 guy, especially if Letang is moved. Put it this way, he won't be a healthy scratch unless he is playing awful hockey (which I doubt).
- Gunner Staal

It seems each branch of Pens management operates with a great degree of autonomy. That's the way most good businesses run. If Shero needs to get involved with who gets a jersey and who doesn't, he's got the wrong man behind the bench.

For lack of a better analogy....It's very Pirate like.....IMO.

If Bylsma is back some of his roster management will be dictated by what Shero says/does. Despres will be a top 4 guy, especially if Letang is moved. Put it this way, he won't be a healthy scratch unless he is playing awful hockey (which I doubt).
- Gunner Staal


It seems each branch of Pens management operates with a great degree of autonomy. That's the way most good businesses run. If Shero needs to get involved with who gets a jersey and who doesn't, he's got the wrong man behind the bench.

For lack of a better analogy....It's very Pirate like.....IMO.
- madmike71

But that may be the best option...given available (or soon to be) coaches.

It seems each branch of Pens management operates with a great degree of autonomy. That's the way most good businesses run. If Shero needs to get involved with who gets a jersey and who doesn't, he's got the wrong man behind the bench.

For lack of a better analogy....It's very Pirate like.....IMO.
- madmike71

It should be an open conversation at all times between GM and coach, which one has to think it is. Can't see any other reason they do their player evaluations after every game.

What would be the bigger surprise?

That Bylsma get's dismissed or that he is back next year?

-- I’ve got to admit I was disappointed to hear that only Paul Martin suffered a “significant injury” in the playoffs. At least some injuries could have been used as an excuse for Pittsburgh’s poor play.
Injuries are never an excuse, especially in hockey if you can play you are healthy. Look at campbell for the bruins, he broke his leg and stayed on the ice he could have just laid on the ice and basically conceded a 5 on 3 goal but he got up and finished his shift. Sorry to hear you will no longer be writing for hockey buzz wish you and your family well.

If Bylsma is back some of his roster management will be dictated by what Shero says/does. Despres will be a top 4 guy, especially if Letang is moved. Put it this way, he won't be a healthy scratch unless he is playing awful hockey (which I doubt).
- Gunner Staal

I was so confused by bylsmas handling of despres because especially with forwards he wasn't shy about benching players not playing well like Kennedy and he benched morrow a few times, but niskanen consistently played poorly and he never swapped him out for despres who he said is a top 4 guy.

What would be the bigger surprise?

That Bylsma get's dismissed or that he is back next year?
- akane13

I will be surprised if Dan is fired.

What would be the bigger surprise?

That Bylsma get's dismissed or that he is back next year?
- akane13

I will be surprised if he is fired, unfortunately. If he is back, he better make some changes.

The team will be a lot different next year and probably for the better.

Can I just say I can't believe you are even considering this.
He has won a Stanley Cup for you guys. He's just 2 years removed from winning the Jack Adams award. He made it to the Conference Finals just 2 weeks ago. What more do you want from him!

Does 1 bad playoff series lose all loyalty gained from these very recent victories?

Can I just say I can't believe you are even considering this.
He has won a Stanley Cup for you guys. He's just 2 years removed from winning the Jack Adams award. He made it to the Conference Finals just 2 weeks ago. What more do you want from him!

Does 1 bad playoff series lose all loyalty gained from these very recent victories?
- scifiman

2 bad playoff series (last year versus Philly)

and a (now) history of his team coming unhinged a bit when they are not able to play 'their game'.

Sure, all teams have these issues but the coach has to find a way to help his team through these things.

If you have 2 (arguably) of the top 5 forwards on the planet on your team...you HAVE TO find a way to help them score. You have to find a way to motivate them to get their game to the A level...regardless of who or what is in their way.

It seems each branch of Pens management operates with a great degree of autonomy. That's the way most good businesses run. If Shero needs to get involved with who gets a jersey and who doesn't, he's got the wrong man behind the bench.

For lack of a better analogy....It's very Pirate like.....IMO.
- madmike71

I don't think that he'll be directly involved, but Bylsma played veterens over youth because he had veterans to play. Between Eaton and Murray, Shero gave Dan guys to play ahead of Despres and Bortuzzo. Not saying Eaton wasn't a good move, but it pushed Despres further down the depth chart.

And let's not forget that this was a 48 game season. Maybe if it was an 82 game season with a full training camp, things would have played out differently. You would think that with 82 games, the rookies would have had a bit longer leash.

2 bad playoff series (last year versus Philly)

and a (now) history of his team coming unhinged a bit when they are not able to play 'their game'.

Sure, all teams have these issues but the coach has to find a way to help his team through these things.

If you have 2 of arguably the best 5 forwards on the planet on your team...you HAVE TO find a way to help them score. You have to find a way to motivate them to get their game to the A level...regardless of who or what is in their way.
- icedog97

Yeah, it's more how they lost than it was that they lost. If they lost to Boston 4-2 and played a good series, then this conversation isn't happening (at least this loudly).

I just got so sick of the "get to our game crap". Even when a team strategically took something away from his game plan, instead of tweaking it a little bit, his approach was to "try it harder".

It's a level of hubris that his team and his system would beat everyone and anyone if they just kept trying.

What would be the bigger surprise?

That Bylsma get's dismissed or that he is back next year?
- akane13

That he's dismissed. I will be shocked if he isn't given another year.

John,

It's been a pleasure to read your articles and posts. I've also enjoyed talking with you from time to time. Thanks for allowing me to write a few articles as well. I've appreciated your insight and fair points before and after every game. Good luck going forward. I hope everything will turn out okay. Obviously I will still be following you in twitter.

Sincerely,

JF



Ps: Let's Go Pens! Let's Go Bucs! Here We Go Steelers!

http://espn.go.com/nhl/pl...iciating-changes-playoffs

Pretty good Burnside article, who is hit or miss.

Incidentally I watched a few games with a friend of mine who doesn't watch hockey really. Trying to explain why certain things were and werent a penalty was....impossible.

Can I just say I can't believe you are even considering this.
He has won a Stanley Cup for you guys. He's just 2 years removed from winning the Jack Adams award. He made it to the Conference Finals just 2 weeks ago. What more do you want from him!

Does 1 bad playoff series lose all loyalty gained from these very recent victories?
- scifiman

It's two. This year's Boston series and last year's abortion against the Flyers, which was equally as embarrassing. When you have the talent amassed in Pittsburgh and fail as miserably as the organization has done since winning the Cup, someone has to answer for this. He might be a regular-season type of coach, like Fleury is a goalie. God knows neither is made to get you much farther.

Tell you what, we will trade you Bylsma for Trotz. Would you do it?

It's two. This year's Boston series and last year's abortion against the Flyers, which was equally as embarrassing. When you have the talent amassed in Pittsburgh and fail as miserably as the organization has done since winning the Cup, someone has to answer for this. He might be a regular-season type of coach, like Fleury is a goalie. God knows neither is made to get you much farther.

Tell you what, we will trade you Bylsma for Trotz. Would you do it?
- Oneonta Penguin

The boston result is only as embarrassing if you didnt watch a second of it and looked at the 4-0 series.

The boston result is only as embarrassing if you didnt watch a second of it and looked at the 4-0 series.
- Deadstar

Yeah...but the inability to score...to EVER lead in a game in the series...that's embarrassing.

This is not a men's senior hockey league team versus a college or AHL team.

This is the #1 seed in the NHL Eastern Conference.