After looking at the top two candidates on the market, it’s time to take a look at the next tier of potential coaches, starting with former Pittsburgh Penguins’ coach Dan Bylsma. Bylsma took this year off from coaching after being fired last spring, and spent time as a broadcaster for NHL Network.
That said, Bylsma has won before, coached for his country in the Olympics, and usually ended up in the NHL’s post-season. He’s a much debated name, but he’s also one that likely gets underrated because of his playoff short comings.
Bylsma’s Resume:
Dan Bylsma had a pretty decent career in the NHL as a player before he turned to coaching. No, he wasn’t a superstar by any means, but he was a serviceable role player and strong AHL veteran. He began his NHL journey with the LA Kings during the 1995-96 season, and spent the next decade going back and forth between the two leagues.
Bylsma ended his playing career following the 2003-04 season, in which he played just eleven games for Ducks at the NHL level. He played in 36 AHL games that year in Cincinnati, and found his home with the Ducks’ AHL affiliate as a coach the following season.
During the 2004-05 NHL lockout, Bylsma served as an assistant coach for the AHL Ducks, but the gig only lasted for one year, as Bylsma went to the NHL. He served as an assistant coach on the New York Islanders’ staff for the 2005-06 season, before transitioning back to the AHL, only this time as a head coach.
For the 2006-07 season, Bylsma served as the head coach for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, the AHL affiliate for Pittsburgh. He would serve in that role again in 2007-08, and then for part of the 2008-09 season. After two and a half years, Bylsma caught his break, getting the head job for the NHL’s Penguins after the team fired coach Michel Therrien.
The Penguins, who made the Cup Finals the year before, were struggling greatly and in danger of missing the playoffs, but Bylsma guided them back to the playoffs, and back to the Stanley Cup Finals, where this time they would prevail in seven games over the Red Wings.
After winning the Cup, Bylsma would lead the Penguins to the post-season in each of the next five seasons, winning a playoff round in three of those trips, but never getting back to the Cup. Bylsma ended his Penguins’ career with a 252-117-32 record in the regular season, and a 43-35 post-season mark.
What Does He Do Well:
Bylsma gets a lot of criticism, but he does have a lot of positives to his style of coaching. He’s a perfect match for skilled players, and the Oilers have a ton of those kinds of guys. He’s a guy who usually has strong offensive teams, and has good attacking systems. Edmonton has the talent, but hasn’t been able to put together a strong offensive season. Bylsma might be the guy to solve the problem.
Another positive with Bylsma? Special teams, mainly the power-play. Under his watch, the Penguins routinely had solid power-play units that catered to their skilled players. With all of the talent Edmonton has up front, I can only imagine what Bylsma would be able to do.
Lastly, Bylsma could be a good mentor of sorts for Connor McDavid, should Edmonton draft him in June. Bylsma worked with Sidney Crosby for years, and helped Sid win his lone Stanley Cup. Bylsma has that unique experience, which could prove to be very valuable moving forward.
Yes, Bylsma has his warts as a coach, mainly in his defensive systems in my mind, but he’s a very good offensive coach that is a proven veteran at this level. He has a Stanley Cup ring on his resume, and has never missed the playoffs as a head man.
Is The Fit Right?:
Admittedly, the fit here is not ideal, but it’s better than a number of other options. Working in Bylsma’s favor is the fact that he is a veteran coach that can bring stability to the position, and the fact that he has a Stanley Cup ring.
His offensive styles fit in with this group of roster players, and he could be a huge help to young Connor McDavid, given his experience with Sidney Crosby. He’d need some help on the back-end, both in assistants and in players, but he’d be a very good fit for this forward group.
Bylsma also was short changed a bit in Pittsburgh. Yes, he had Crosby and Malkin, but year after year the Penguins’ management team would give him weak defensive units and an unsteady goaltender. It’s tough to have success in this league when your defense and your goalie aren’t very good. Those early playoff exits aren’t all on him.
Would I pursue Dan Bylsma as the next head coach of the Oilers? I’d certainly talk to him, but he would not be my top choice for the job. He’s a solid fall-back option for Edmonton, but there are plenty of other coaches that are better fits for this team right now.
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