Dan Bylsma Waiting Patiently For An Opportunity: Possible Job Openings
Mar 22, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins head coach
Dan Bylsma(right0 reacts on the bench against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the second period at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Penguins won 4-3 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Dan Bylsma has won the Jack Adams trophy, the Stanley Cup and has Olympic head coaching experience. Typically in professional sports a resume such as this wouldn’t be sitting on the sidelines, but such is the case with Bylsma. And while there have been changes in Ottawa and New Jersey, Bylsma has not yet found his way back into the NHL coaching ranks.
And why hurry? Bylsma has earned the right to be patient and pick the best potential franchise for his return. He doesn’t have to jump at the first phone call he receives. And as the season carries through the playoffs and into the offseason Bylsma will certainly receive his fair share of phone calls.
Here are a few teams that could be calling, and why Bylsma would listen:
San Jose Sharks
December 27, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings goalie
Jonathan Quick(32) defends the goal as San Jose Sharks left wing
Tye McGinn(25) attempts a shot on goal during the third period at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
It feels like Todd McLellan has been on the hot seat since the Sharks meltdown from up 3-0 against the Los Angeles Kings. Joe Thornton was stripped of his captaincy and the front office promise major changes that flat out never materialized. The Sharks have been long on talent yet short on results for some time. The Sharks could certainly make an inquiry to Bylsma, particularly if you believe that McLellan may wind up in Edmonton according to Elliotte Friedman. Bylsma would be a major change that was promised an offseason ago. A roster full of talent and California living are enticing. A loaded Western Conference maybe not so much.
Boston Bruins
Dec 23, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Bruins defenseman
Torey Krug(47) and center
David Krejci(46) celebrate a goal during the first period against the Nashville Predators at TD Banknorth Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
The Bruins are not accustomed to mediocrity but as we near the New Year that’s exactly where they are. The 39 points through Saturday’s game are not good enough for a playoff spot, and their -4 goal differential is not characteristic of the teams usual success. Again, this is a roster with talent on all lines but seems to be missing Johnny Boychuk more than just on the ice. With stable ownership the Bruins may decide the fastest way to turn around their fortunes is to replace one good coach, Claude Julien, with another in Bylsma. Boston will still need to find some additional scoring punch to get back to the top of the Eastern Conference, but Bylsma may be able to get more out of the current roster. The Bruins don’t strike me as a franchise that makes these decisions on a whim and may still favor stability. But Bylsma would be intriguing here.
Philadelphia Flyers
Dec 27, 2014; Nashville, TN, USA; Philadelphia Flyers head coach
Craig Berube(C) talks with his players from behind the bench during a timeout in the third period against the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
This would be an interesting landing spot to stick it to their cross town rivals. That would have to be one heck of a compelling reason because this roster, while sporting top talent in Claude Giroux and Wayne Simmons, needs to get younger and deeper on defense in order to be more competitive. Bylsma would certainly be used to the criticism heaved at his goaltenders which feels like a rite of passage for the Philly faithful. Would Bylsma be able to get more out of this roster? Possibly. But is there enough talent where Bylsma could come in and be competitive now? That depends on how you feel about the other options he may have.
Buffalo Sabres
Dec 27, 2014; Buffalo, NY, USA; Buffalo Sabres left wing
Tyler Ennis(63) celebrates with goalie
Jhonas Enroth(1) and right wing
Chris Stewart(80) after defeating the New York Islanders 4-3 in a shootout at First Niagara Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
At least for this season the Sabres are not among the more talented teams in the league but current head coach Ted Nolan has the team playing hard and well together, particularly when compared with the start of this season. And Buffalo is boasting one of the deepest prospect pools in all the NHL. GM Tim Murray is still in a position to wheel and deal though he won’t be giving away assets such as Tyler Myers or Chris Stewart for nothing. Keeping both would certainly make this an even more attractive position for Bylsma. Personally I think Nolan has done more than enough to earn at least another year with the Sabres. But there is no doubt that a coach of Bylsma’s pedigree would be particularly impactful on the young Sabres as they attempt to transition from league doormat to perennial Stanley Cup contender.
Florida Panthers
Dec 18, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Florida Panthers defenseman
Willie Mitchell(33) celebrates win over Philadelphia Flyers with goalie
Roberto Luongo(1) at Wells Fargo Center. The Panthers defeated the Flyers, 2-1 in a shootout. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Panthers fans are really missing out on a team with plenty of emerging talent. First overall pick Aaron Ekblad, Nick Bjugstad, Jonathan Huberdeau and Aleksander Barkov are some of the young players expected to lead the Panthers back into the playoffs. Having a goaltender like Roberto Luongo doesn’t hurt either. While the low attendance figures continue to plague the Panthers and cause the relocation vultures to keep circling, the NHL seems committed to making the Panthers work. The talent on the roster and the overall direction of the product on the ice is a credit to Gerard Gallant. But is Florida, similar to Buffalo, a franchise where a head coach such as Bylsma is viewed as being the next piece to planning a Stanley Cup parade?
One thing is certain: plenty of teams will come calling for Bylsma’s services. When he does decide to come back into coaching the team he joins will be taken more seriously as a threat to the Stanley Cup almost right away.