I thought you were too famous for us now



His lax approach to defence and obsession with veterans (or at least that's what people have said) is what worries me most about him. On a team where the young guys are the primary focus (and probably better players anyways) I really don't want a coach who is going to be giving the top 6 and top 4 minutes to gionta and gorges. And can a team that was such a mess in it's own end really afford to hire a coach where one of his glaring flaws is defence?
- Sabresfan-365

I think this is where the assistant coaches need to be prevalent.

I understand the "win now" mode year after year. When you have Crosby and Malkin in their prime you kind of have to. But his "I won't be outbid" mindset really cost the penguins long term. There was no balance.

Shero needed to make the trades year after year due to the fact there was very little in the pipeline to fill in. Which was in turn also his fault.

I still don't understand the Jersey Shero fit.
- ImThatGuy

Same reason Darcy got his gig, it's an old boys club. Once you're in you have to do something horrific to find yourself on the outside.

I thought you were too famous for us now



His lax approach to defence and obsession with veterans (or at least that's what people have said) is what worries me most about him. On a team where the young guys are the primary focus (and probably better players anyways) I really don't want a coach who is going to be giving the top 6 and top 4 minutes to gionta and gorges. And can a team that was such a mess in it's own end really afford to hire a coach where one of his glaring flaws is defence?
- Sabresfan-365

Which is why I don't think anyone should be worried. The Sabres don't have a Crosby or Malkin or Neal or Kunitz or Letang. Seeing the depth or lack there of with those Penguins teams when you're trying to win a cup you do need to rely heavily on your superstars and veteran players. He did good in the AHL. Knocking a guy for something he really didn't have an option to do is kinda silly.

Which is why I don't think anyone should be worried. The Sabres don't have a Crosby or Malkin or Neal or Kunitz or Letang. Seeing the depth or lack there of with those Penguins teams when you're trying to win a cup you do need to rely heavily on your superstars and veteran players. He did good in the AHL. Knocking a guy for something he really didn't have an option to do is kinda silly.
- Stripes77

He only spent a half year as the head coach and that team was on the older end of the scale as far as an AHL team goes.

The situation being different is a valid point and I'm hoping that being in the complete opposite scenario changes the heavy leaning on vets but im still unsure. The alleged short comings on defence is also still a major concern to me. Don't get me wrong free wheeling hockey is extremely fun to watch but I just don't think this team is at the point where they need a coach like that.

Yes by Babcock. You don't think he had a hand in personnel decisions?

Again, he also was great at developing guys at the NHL level.

Justin Abdelkader went from a 4th line grinder, to eventually playing a top 6 role when he was ready. Babcock did this with numerous players.

You would never see a Cody Hodgson or Mikhail Grigorenko mismanagement in Detroit
- sbroads24

The true test for Detroit is when Datsyuk and Zetterberg are gone. My guess, all those young guys that play so well now, don't look quite as good.

He only spent a half year as the head coach and that team was on the older end of the scale as far as an AHL team goes.

The situation being different is a valid point and I'm hoping that being in the complete opposite scenario changes the heavy leaning on vets but im still unsure. The alleged short comings on defence is also still a major concern to me. Don't get me wrong free wheeling hockey is extremely fun to watch but I just don't think this team is at the point where they need a coach like that.
- Sabresfan-365

Murray won't bring in a guy who doesn't share his vision on things. If Bylsma still has a dump and chase attitude and that's not what Murray wants, he won't hire him.

Murray won't bring in a guy who doesn't share his vision on things. If Bylsma still has a dump and chase attitude and that's not what Murray wants, he won't hire him.
- Pierceme69

Tbh im more worried about the guy above him.

The bottom six he developed (or acquired) was an absolute joke. More or less impossible to win these days without adequate depth.
- Travis Yost

Ray Ferraro talked about this (in general terms) a few times at the World Championships regarding how the game has changed. Back in his day, top lines used to salivate when they got against another teams 3rd of 4th line. Now, everyone skates so well and plays positional hockey its hard to win by exploiting the bottoms 6 on the other team.

Complete team depth including top 6 (other than goal) was never anything to write home about really.


How's the new gig going?

Where do you see Buffalo next year? (Bills and Sabres)
- ImThatGuy

Awesome, 10-6 (PLAYOFFFFFFFFZZZZZZZZZZZ), depends on the coaching hire.

Ray Ferraro talked about this (in general terms) a few times at the World Championships regarding how the game has changed. Back in his day, top lines used to salivate when they got against another teams 3rd of 4th line. Now, everyone skates so well and plays positional hockey its hard to win by exploiting the bottoms 6 on the other team.
- BigStew

Yeah, he's right. Same thing with third pairings too. If you have a guy who can skate it out and make a clean first pass, huge bonus.

Yeah, he's right. Same thing with third pairings too. If you have a guy who can skate it out and make a clean first pass, huge bonus.
- Travis Yost

Hey Yoster. Nice of you to chime in. Good to have another input on the matter

I thought you were too famous for us now



His lax approach to defence and obsession with veterans (or at least that's what people have said) is what worries me most about him. On a team where the young guys are the primary focus (and probably better players anyways) I really don't want a coach who is going to be giving the top 6 and top 4 minutes to gionta and gorges. And can a team that was such a mess in it's own end really afford to hire a coach where one of his glaring flaws is defence?
- Sabresfan-365

I think a lot of the issues were personnel.

And again -- I respect the argument that Bylsma wasn't perfect in his tenure, but the guy did pick up points in like 70% of games he coached. I don't think there's a modern day coach above him (p sure Boudreau/Babcock/Q are close).

If the issues were truly magnified, you wouldn't see that level of success. Even with some player personnel problems and whatever objections there may be had about Bylsma's style.

Hey Yoster. Nice of you to chime in. Good to have another input on the matter
- cabin

- Travis Yost

Nice to see you Travis, great articles you right up on TSN.

Hey Yoster. Nice of you to chime in. Good to have another input on the matter
- cabin

CAM NEWTON agree's.

Jay McKee believes Dan Bylsma would be good fit to coach Sabres

One day in 2009-10, Dan Bylsma, then in his first full season as the Pittsburgh Penguins’ coach, had an odd request for Jay McKee, one of the NHL’s top shot blockers for years.“He actually asked me not to block as many shots,” McKee, a popular former Buffalo Sabres defenseman, said by phone Tuesday.One of McKee’s recent blocks had deflected into the net, so Bylsma, who will reportedly interview with the Sabres this week, told the gritty veteran to get out of the way and concentrate on taking the body in front.“I was honest with him,” McKee said, “I said, ‘Dan, like, this is my style. I’ve played this way a long time. It’s like asking a passer to stop passing and start shooting. It’s going to take me an adjustment if you want to stop getting in shot lanes.’”The next game, McKee’s natural instincts took over, so he tried blocking a shot. Bylsma called the 14-year veteran into the office the next day.“He asked me, ‘Are you coachable or no?’” said McKee, who told Bylsma he needed a week or two to adjust.McKee spent years playing against the 44-year-old Bylsma, who also broke into the NHL in 1995-96 and retired in 2004. Still, McKee knew little about him when he began his final campaign.He found Bylsma blunt, approachable – “You felt like you could go to him,” he said – and a “real good teacher.” Bylsma treated the Penguins’ fourth-liners the same way as his superstars.“He taught the systems well, he changed it up quite a bit,” McKee said. “He really involved the players a lot in a lot of meetings. It wasn’t like it was his way or the highway; he was real good with communicating with players, getting their input, having a good vibe on the pulse of the team. He found ways, whether it was video, certain things during practice.”For McKee, who was in his final NHL season, going to the rink every day was fun.“Some coaches, you feel like it’s work,” he said. “You go to the rink and you’re bogged down with all kinds of video, all this information. I just thought his preparation for each game was exceptional toward the players. I thought he was a good person.”But McKee “wouldn’t … define him as a players’ coach.” more.............................

http://www.buffalohockeyb...good-fit-to-coach-sabres/

Seems Jay McKee thinks Blysma changes systems during the game when need be, is a good coach for young players, approachable. An overall good goach and he has seen him up close.

CAM NEWTON agree's.
- SABRES 89

Of course he does.

Yost do you still think it's possible the sabres will offer sheet toffoli and jones?

Which brings us back to Bylsma's teams never over achieving, something that if you are a great coach, you can get your team to do.

He isn't all to blame at all, but for a big name coach with a cup, he seems quite average
- sbroads24

For those that think I have nothing good to say about the guy....

The year he won the Jack Adams, both Sid and Geno were out for the year and he did a great job of getting them into the playoffs. 106pts. Damn near won the east. Had the most wins 49. They really didn't miss a beat. He absolutely was instrumental in getting that team to overachieve. Still blew a 3-1 lead in the playoffs against Tampa.

Yost do you still think it's possible the sabres will offer sheet toffoli and jones?
- Carubba-Kaleta

Obviously not Yost but this isn't the year for the Sabres to sign anyone to offer sheets . If Taffoli is not matched then they lose a 1st next year which is going to be high, maybe even in the lottery. Wait until their 1st is late teens - 20's to offer sheet anyone I say.

Honestly, I'd rather not Bylsma be the choice here.

Nothing personal, but I just remember him looking like such a chump in some of those Pitt playoff series... Having no answers, and just taking it.

Not even trying to get the team fired up,not even addressing the bench at times. He certainly didn't go down swinging there.


It would be a very "Ron Rolston-esque" hire, IMO.



Personally, I'd rather have Luke Richardson.

An up-and-coming disciplinarian, who is in touch with the modern day young player... but who also "walked the walk" with a long NHL career. That alsone earns him the respect of the vets from day 1!

And then of course, there's the Tim Murray connection. We all love TM's wienerly blunt charm... but it'd be nice to at least feel semi-reassured that such a personality won't rub his co-workers wrong. We may come to find after a while, that one needs a thinker skin to co-exist with TM.

It's not a coincidence that when Bylsma took over, and implemented his own system, they steadily became easier to beat come post-season.

I won't be too upset if he is hired, I just think he will be an average coach. Who knows, maybe average will be good enough with our roster in 2-3 years
- sbroads24

Can't have it both ways!

Honestly, I'd rather not Bylsma be the choice here.

Nothing personal, but I just remember him looking like such a chump in some of those Pitt playoff series... Having no answers, and just taking it.

Not even trying to get the team fired up,not even addressing the bench at times. He certainly didn't go down swinging there.


It would be a very "Ron Rolston-esque" hire, IMO.



Personally, I'd rather have Luke Richardson.

An up-and-coming disciplinarian, who is in touch with the modern day young player... but who also "walked the walk" with a long NHL career. That alsone earns him the respect of the vets from day 1. And then of course, there's the Tim Murray connection.
- SuperCat

An NHL experienced, Stanley Cup winner is Ron Rolsten-esque? It's the glasses, right?

Honestly, I'd rather not Bylsma be the choice here.

Nothing personal, but I just remember him looking like such a chump in some of those Pitt playoff series... Having no answers, and just taking it.

Not even trying to get the team fired up,not even addressing the bench at times. He certainly didn't go down swinging there.


It would be a very "Ron Rolston-esque" hire, IMO.



Personally, I'd rather have Luke Richardson.

An up-and-coming disciplinarian, who is in touch with the modern day young player... but who also "walked the walk" with a long NHL career. That alsone earns him the respect of the vets from day 1!

And then of course, there's the Tim Murray connection. We all love TM's wienerly blunt charm... but it'd be nice to at least feel semi-reassured that such a personality won't rub his co-workers wrong. We may come to find after a while, that one needs a thinker skin to co-exist with TM.
- SuperCat

Bylsma didn't "walk the walk"? He played over 400 games in the NHL.

Hey all, I see the score is 2-1 now? Who scored for Tampa, I'm not in front of TV right now!