Michael Pachla: Bylsma/Buffalo inevitable? Some think Dan Bylsma and the Buffalo Sabres are a certain match.

Michael Pachla: Bylsma/Buffalo inevitable?
Some think Dan Bylsma and the Buffalo Sabres are a certain match.
- Michael Pachla

Can the Sabres talk to Blashill or is he a lock in D-town?

Michael Pachla: Bylsma/Buffalo inevitable?
Some think Dan Bylsma and the Buffalo Sabres are a certain match.
- Michael Pachla

Right on

After reading this blog, it scares me.

I don't understand how Dan could ever get another HC job if the general manager is doing detailed due diligence on the guy. After the cup year, he repeatedly got his ass handed to him in the playoffs. It was obvious.

As far as the cup year... Dan gave an interview several years ago. He said he made very few adjustments to MT's system when he took over as coach. He inherited a team that was very disciplined. Very defensively conscious. Once Dan installed his "vaunted" system the following year, he turned MAF into a basket case.

We have a columnist in Pittsburgh that is very good at getting inside info from the Pens. He posted this earlier this year....

• Had a fascinating conversation this week about Dan Bylsma’s final couple of years behind the Penguins’ bench, and it shed light on something I hadn’t previously understood: Why, if the people over his head were displeased with his system, did it never change?

The answer, according to one individual eminently in the know, was that Bylsma flat-out wouldn’t listen to anyone. No, not even to Mario Lemieux and Ron Burkle.

The part that was most irksome to the owners was the same that seemed to irk most in the public, that being the spread-all-over-creation breakouts. Those above Bylsma recognized that the breakouts, one, stunted his own star players’ speed by having them catch passes at a standstill and, two, were laughably easy to defend when a team had time to practice it. Such as, you know, a best-of-seven playoff series.

Bylsma would occasionally be told of this dissatisfaction, and the system would be modified … but never for more than a game or two.

Some coaches really do forget that the objective is to win, not to win your way.

Well Bylsma has been a pretty successful coach as far a getting his teams in the playoffs rather consistently. (I'm certain Crosby and Malkin were a big part of it.)

I'm not so sure if he's the perfect fit for the Sabres as their coach. To be honest, I'm really not certain who is a perfect fit or match.

I still think Babcock made a shoddy decision going to Toronto. I know he wanted to coach there and all, but looking back on it, I think he will end up over his head and should have took the Pegula money and came to Buffalo.

The roster is setup for success...

I don't understand how Dan could ever get another HC job if the general manager is doing detailed due diligence on the guy. After the cup year, he repeatedly got his ass handed to him in the playoffs. It was obvious.

As far as the cup year... Dan gave an interview several years ago. He said he made very few adjustments to MT's system when he took over as coach. He inherited a team that was very disciplined. Very defensively conscious. Once Dan installed his "vaunted" system the following year, he turned MAF into a basket case.

We have a columnist in Pittsburgh that is very good at getting inside info from the Pens. He posted this earlier this year....

• Had a fascinating conversation this week about Dan Bylsma’s final couple of years behind the Penguins’ bench, and it shed light on something I hadn’t previously understood: Why, if the people over his head were displeased with his system, did it never change?

The answer, according to one individual eminently in the know, was that Bylsma flat-out wouldn’t listen to anyone. No, not even to Mario Lemieux and Ron Burkle.

The part that was most irksome to the owners was the same that seemed to irk most in the public, that being the spread-all-over-creation breakouts. Those above Bylsma recognized that the breakouts, one, stunted his own star players’ speed by having them catch passes at a standstill and, two, were laughably easy to defend when a team had time to practice it. Such as, you know, a best-of-seven playoff series.

Bylsma would occasionally be told of this dissatisfaction, and the system would be modified … but never for more than a game or two.

Some coaches really do forget that the objective is to win, not to win your way.
- madmike71

Why does everybody hate their former coaches.

The playoffs "failures" were his fault? Fleury's play had nothing to do with that? You can't win in the playoffs with awful goaltending.

Why even have a coach if he cant run his own system? That's what coaches do, put in in a system, that's his job, not the players. Players play, coaches coach.

Why does everybody hate their former coaches.

The playoffs "failures" were his fault? Fleury's play had nothing to do with that? You can't win in the playoffs with awful goaltending.

Why even have a coach if he cant run his own system? That's what coaches do, put in in a system, that's his job, not the players. Players play, coaches coach.
- Homer

I don't hate the guy. I hated his coaching. Fleury had confidence issues because the team in front of him failed to play competent defense. Nothing more simple than that.

Hey don't take my word for it, read your own blogger. The guy you should be after is our AHL coach.

Adam Gretz is a terrific writer. His work is among the best in the business. He is based in Pittsburgh but covers the entire league. Very worthwhile follow on twitter. @AGretz

thx for your help, gunner

Excellent post Michael. Now you have me second guessing my desire for Blysma (second choice after Babcock). Does Rex Ryan know anything about hockey?

I don't hate the guy. I hated his coaching. Fleury had confidence issues because the team in front of him failed to play competent defense. Nothing more simple than that.

Hey don't take my word for it, read your own blogger. The guy you should be after is our AHL coach.
- madmike71

Please, Fleury choked, more than once. Bad goals are bad goals, period.

Bylsma won a cup, never had less than 101 points, always made the playoffs easily and had to do it with without Malkin and Crosby for stretches at a time. This year he is gone and the Pens made the playoffs on the last day of the season. Hmmm. Coincidence?

I don't think the guy is Scotty Bowman but he certainly belongs in the NHL.

I don't hate the guy. I hated his coaching. Fleury had confidence issues because the team in front of him failed to play competent defense. Nothing more simple than that.

Hey don't take my word for it, read your own blogger. The guy you should be after is our AHL coach.
- madmike71

Agreed x10. (frank)ing Shero may have beaten us to the punch

Excellent post Michael. Now you have me second guessing my desire for Blysma (second choice after Babcock). Does Rex Ryan know anything about hockey?
- SabreWest

Why?

Agreed x10. (frank)ing Shero may have beaten us to the punch
- Sabresfan-365

Meaning what?

Meaning what?
- Homer

He's likely the Devils next head coach.

He's likely the Devils next head coach.
- dadeadhead

No idea who we are talking about. I keep hearing Boucher to Devils. Or Bylsma.

thx for your help, gunner
- Michael Pachla

No problem, great work.

No idea who we are talking about. I keep hearing Boucher to Devils. Or Bylsma.
- Homer

John Hynes

Please, Fleury choked, more than once. Bad goals are bad goals, period.

Bylsma won a cup, never had less than 101 points, always made the playoffs easily and had to do it with without Malkin and Crosby for stretches at a time. This year he is gone and the Pens made the playoffs on the last day of the season. Hmmm. Coincidence?

I don't think the guy is Scotty Bowman but he certainly belongs in the NHL.
- Homer

I realize you don't want to hear bad things about your possible future coach. That's fine.

Pens had so many critical injuries down the stretch. We were right behind the Rags then Hornqvist and Malkin go out with injuries. Then we lose Letang and Hoff and we didn't have Maatta and Dupuis at all. Take that kind of talent off of a team and you'd be lucky to make the playoffs.

John Hynes
- dadeadhead

Never heard of the chap. Not saying he wont be a good coach, just not familiar with him.

Never heard of the chap. Not saying he wont be a good coach, just not familiar with him.
- Homer

http://www.hockeydb.com/i...ts/pdisplay.php?pid=26586

Why does everybody hate their former coaches.

The playoffs "failures" were his fault? Fleury's play had nothing to do with that? You can't win in the playoffs with awful goaltending.

Why even have a coach if he cant run his own system? That's what coaches do, put in in a system, that's his job, not the players. Players play, coaches coach.
- Homer

Bylsma's system wasn't very good.

Like the poster said, and I have read other places, he failed to adapt to his players strengths

I realize you don't want to hear bad things about your possible future coach. That's fine.

Pens had so many critical injuries down the stretch. We were right behind the Rags then Hornqvist and Malkin go out with injuries. Then we lose Letang and Hoff and we didn't have Maatta and Dupuis at all. Take that kind of talent off of a team and you'd be lucky to make the playoffs.
- madmike71

fair enough

Bylsma's system wasn't very good.

Like the poster said, and I have read other places, he failed to adapt to his players strengths
- sbroads24

His system was pretty wide open and he had a lot of skill players. How is that not a fit for those type of players? I'm for coaches you want to play wide open and make this sport more entertaining.