John Toperzer: How far do the Pens need to go for Bylsma to keep his job? The Penguins coach has his two best players healthy for the first time in years

I don't think Coach Disco is on the hot seat this year, but if the Pens disappoint again he may be "strongly encouraged" to make some changes on the staff.

I don't know who, but the penguins need a coach who is smarter in regards to knowing how to play against different kinds of teams.

I don't think Coach Disco is on the hot seat this year, but if the Pens disappoint again he may be "strongly encouraged" to make some changes on the staff.
- Sasquatchernaut

I disagree... He's on the hot seat. If this team is healthy and they go "one and done" again.....he'll be fired. I would say conference finals or bust for Bylsma. I think ownership and Shero made it known how unhappy they were with the way last season ended.

They dumped Therrien less than a year after he got them to the finals.

I disagree... He's on the hot seat. If this team is healthy and they go "one and done" again.....he'll be fired. I would say conference finals or bust for Bylsma. I think ownership and Shero made it known how unhappy they were with the way last season ended.

They dumped Therrien less than a year after he got them to the finals.
- madmike71

Tough to compare the Therrien situation to Bylsma's. Therrien went to the finals and the next season they were struggling to make the playoffs until Bylsma came in. Bylsma has consistently made the playoffs, but I believe that if they struggle in the first round again he will find himself on the hot seat then.

I disagree... He's on the hot seat. If this team is healthy and they go "one and done" again.....he'll be fired. I would say conference finals or bust for Bylsma. I think ownership and Shero made it known how unhappy they were with the way last season ended.

They dumped Therrien less than a year after he got them to the finals.
- madmike71

I'd say this is accurate, or perhaps second round. The fact that some people voted not even make the playoffs i found astounding. He'll be gone before the season is done if thats a possibility.

Renaud Lavoie ‏@RenLavoieRDS
Flyers put Brian Boucher waivers.

Why? They just got him a couple of days ago. Luongo?

First ting is first: Chris Bradford should be ashamed for challenging Malkin. That's ridiculous and it's barely backpage news let alone worth noting. You want to be controversial, talk about lines and defensive pairings, not the assistant captain who just got in from a long flight and doesn't speak the best of English not talking to the media right away. Get over yourself.

Secondly: Bylsma is a good coach, but even good coaches can do too much instead of riding what was successful and making adjustments. If Bylsma and this team, with whatever changes they may make now or at the deadline can't win, and get at least past the 2nd round, then he should definitely be on the hot seat. I hope that doesn't happen but the compete level wasn't in question before. I truly hope he just sticks to his smarts and uses the talent around without forcing things. Don't be greedy and we could be talking about a cup run.

Renaud Lavoie ‏@RenLavoieRDS
Flyers put Brian Boucher waivers.

Why? They just got him a couple of days ago. Luongo?
- rival22

Also Dman Liljas, could the Pens take a look at him?

And the only way I think Bylsma gets canned is with a healthy team that misses the playoffs. Injuries cannot be helped. The last 2 years have been crazy with lineups and injuries. know all teams have them, but you can't replace Crosby, Malkin, or Letang with really, anyone and expect Grade A results. Jordan Staal couldn't carry this team when needed, does that make him less of a player....nope. Can't replace a diamond with something less and expect the same shine

Also Dman Liljas, could the Pens take a look at him?

And the only way I think Bylsma gets canned is with a healthy team that misses the playoffs. Injuries cannot be helped. The last 2 years have been crazy with lineups and injuries. know all teams have them, but you can't replace Crosby, Malkin, or Letang with really, anyone and expect Grade A results. Jordan Staal couldn't carry this team when needed, does that make him less of a player....nope. Can't replace a diamond with something less and expect the same shine
- ryman1566

Lilja is TERRIBLE. Pass. I'd rather have Lovejoy.

Lilja is TERRIBLE. Pass. I'd rather have Lovejoy.
- Oneonta Penguin

Plus he is 53 years old and coming off hip surgery... no thanks.

Also Dman Liljas, could the Pens take a look at him?
And the only way I think Bylsma gets canned is with a healthy team that misses the playoffs. Injuries cannot be helped. The last 2 years have been crazy with lineups and injuries. know all teams have them, but you can't replace Crosby, Malkin, or Letang with really, anyone and expect Grade A results. Jordan Staal couldn't carry this team when needed, does that make him less of a player....nope. Can't replace a diamond with something less and expect the same shine
- ryman1566

Only from far, far away.

The comments on both of those Bradford articles are all you need to read to know the articles themselves aren't worth reading.

Looking forward to the scrimmage tonight.

The coach we can thank for our 09' cup win coaches the Habs right now.

Outsider perspective here, but I would think it would be a big mistake to fire him if this season does not go according to plan.

With the season being this short IMO, we are going to see a lot of weird things. If a team starts out slow say 1-4-1. it could very well mean no playoffs this year.

Also if Fleury does not have a complete meltdown last year the Pens win that series easily. IMO, Fleury would be my biggest concern to hoping he can return to form.

Outsider perspective here, but I would think it would be a big mistake to fire him if this season does not go according to plan.

With the season being this short IMO, we are going to see a lot of weird things. If a team starts out slow say 1-4-1. it could very well mean no playoffs this year.

Also if Fleury does not have a complete meltdown last year the Pens win that series easily. IMO, Fleury would be my biggest concern to hoping he can return to form.
- ImThatGuy

MAF was far from the only guy that melted down in that series last year. The team as a whole went bat sh*t crazy, never seen them do that over the span of a playoff series.

It seems like the Pittsburgh writers are looking at hockey through football "blame the coach and the quarterback" glasses. Is this not so? Or are they simply not thoughtful?

The Penguins abruptly stopped playing their system in that loss to the Flyers. The defense was left flat-footed constantly as players like Sullivan and Kennedy turned the puck over trying to carry it as opposed to getting it deep. It seems like after Crosby came back and the team dropped two crucial games to the NY Islanders the Pens were up on two wheels going onto the postseason.

The point then is that the coach is responsible for the team's readiness to play and installation of the structure of the system. Dan can't control how the team struggles against the trap because it only has one scoring wing, but he should be able to consistently maintain form and function systematically.

it wont necessarily be this season for Bylsma, but it will be next season for sure. I think with the shortned season it will be tougher to put him in the hot seat, but he will be next season for sure.

anyways, does anyone think there will be a stream of this scrimmage tonight? I want to watch it so damn bad.

Tough to compare the Therrien situation to Bylsma's. Therrien went to the finals and the next season they were struggling to make the playoffs until Bylsma came in. Bylsma has consistently made the playoffs, but I believe that if they struggle in the first round again he will find himself on the hot seat then.
- Ben37

Bylsma got the benefit of getting Gonchar back from a fairly long injury just as he became the Pens coach. Still, I'm not denying Bylsma had a significant effect on the team on the way to a cup.

However, if you remember the Pens finished off the end of the regular season in the same fashion as they played in the Philly series. They were giving up tons of goals and in my opinion, Diso's system was exposed to some degree. I don't think anybody will argue Lavy handed Disco his lunch. People can say "bad matchup" all they want, but there's no excuse in failing to make some significant adjustments during that series.

NHL teams go through coaches faster than a newborn goes through diapers. You can bet Bylsma is on the hot seat right now.

MAF was far from the only guy that melted down in that series last year. The team as a whole went bat sh*t crazy, never seen them do that over the span of a playoff series.
- ryman1566

not only that, but Bylsma will not be as hesitant to pull Fleury now with Vokoun backing him. I can see Vokoun taking 2-3 straight starts in the season if Fleury has a rough game or 2. But I have never seen the Pens team look that bad before. It's like they totally forgot the basic fundamentals of hockey.

MAF was far from the only guy that melted down in that series last year. The team as a whole went bat sh*t crazy, never seen them do that over the span of a playoff series.
- ryman1566

Yeah, Bylsma and his staff share some blame on that meltdown. Not only where there systematic breakdowns, but the team completely lost all control of their emotions. Much of that falls on the players, but some of it on the coaching staff as well.

After finally getting everyone back together, I think that with all of the expectations on them, they just go wound too tight and way over excited. Bad combination.

That series will go a long way to helping them in post seasons to come. They can always look back on that mess as what not to do.

Yeah, Bylsma and his staff share some blame on that meltdown. Not only where there systematic breakdowns, but the team completely lost all control of their emotions. Much of that falls on the players, but some of it on the coaching staff as well.

After finally getting everyone back together, I think that with all of the expectations on them, they just go wound too tight and way over excited. Bad combination.

That series will go a long way to helping them in post seasons to come. They can always look back on that mess as what not to do.
- rival22

It was the worst series opponent that they could have asked for to start the post-season.

The coach we can thank for our 09' cup win coaches the Habs right now.
- nbartley9

You mean the guy that after the 08 finals was looking at missing the playoffs. Remember when Therrien was fired the Penguins were sitting in the 10 spot.

Renaud Lavoie ‏@RenLavoieRDS
Flyers put Brian Boucher waivers.

Why? They just got him a couple of days ago. Luongo?
- rival22

Boucher was brought in as an AHL player and insurance policy in case bryzgalov/Leighton goes down.

Tough to compare the Therrien situation to Bylsma's. Therrien went to the finals and the next season they were struggling to make the playoffs until Bylsma came in. Bylsma has consistently made the playoffs, but I believe that if they struggle in the first round again he will find himself on the hot seat then.
- Ben37

Agreed. They have made the playoffs consistently but the way they lost in the first round the last two seasons should have him under the microscope. All the excuses have been made for that loss to Tampa but the reality is they were in complete control of that series. They dominated the first 10 minutes of the game in game 5 at home then promptly quit after they surrendered the first goal and went on to get blown out before flaming out the next 2 games. As for last year, we all know what a divine comedy that was; the lack of focus and stunning display of immaturity combined with an utter lack of direction from the bench. If they flame out in the first round again this year in 6 games in which they are never really in it, why bring him back?