Kovacevic on Bylsma

[Bioshock]

The problem that I hope doesn't happen is...this Penguin team, shouldn't just beat:

Rangers
Islanders
Senators
Maple Leaf
Canadians

They should borderline sweep those teams. If they are struggling in the first 2 rounds, winning in 6-7 games. They aren't winning the cup...and I'm blaming coaching before they lose.

complete mindless nonsense.

Could not have said it better myself.

[It'sagreatdayforhockey!]

The Bylsma hate is probably the most confusing aspect of our fandom. I don't get it. I really don't.

Right?

All the guy has done in his coaching career is:
-win a Stanley Cup (no coach has won more than that in the last 13 years)
-become the fastest coach in history to 200 wins
-lead his team to a conference #1 seed
-gained atleast 99 points in every regular season
-win the Jack Adams for coach of the year
-currently sits in 2nd for career win% of current coaches (4th all time)

plus, judging by interviews:
-is loved by the players
-is incredibly knowledgeable about the game/strategy/tactics/etc


Oh, but he likes to change lines too much and is in love with certain players apparently and was only a 4th line grinder in the NHL so he can't relate.

[Bioshock]

The Bylsma hate is probably the most confusing aspect of our fandom. I don't get it. I really don't.

Right?

All the guy has done in his coaching career is:
-win a Stanley Cup (no coach has won more than that in the last 13 years)
-become the fastest coach in history to 200 wins
-lead his team to a conference #1 seed
-gained atleast 99 points in every regular season
-win the Jack Adams for coach of the year
-currently sits in 2nd for career win% of current coaches (4th all time)

plus, judging by interviews:
-is loved by the players
-is incredibly knowledgeable about the game/strategy/tactics/etc


Oh, but he likes to change lines too much and is in love with certain players apparently and was only a 4th line grinder in the NHL so he can't relate.

/topic

[DontToewsMeBro]

Some posters think Byslma is only successful because his team is too talented not to be, which is partially true. This team could make the playoffs regardless of the coach. However, the league has other talented teams that seriously underachieve like the Rangers. I think if Bylsma was replaced we would see that he is a huge reason for the consistency-this team just flat out wins, no matter if Crosby is out, Malkin is out, or Letang is out...at the same time. Consistency...to me, that is great coaching.

[Bioshock]

Some posters think Byslma is only successful because his team is too talented not to be, which is partially true. This team could make the playoffs regardless of the coach. However, the league has other talented teams that seriously underachieve like the Rangers. I think if Bylsma was replaced we would see that he is a huge reason for the consistency-this team just flat out wins, no matter if Crosby is out, Malkin is out, or Letang is out...at the same time. Consistency...to me, that is great coaching.

The way the players respond to him and how quickly Bylsma and the coaching staff fix issues now is more than enough for me to realize he's an awesome coach.

[dbizzle66]

HCDB is a good coach - who else would you want

Spoiler:

"Kuny, you ready to ******* get on that guy? Good, 'cause you're going."

Yep, I'm ready for Wednesday.

Me too. I'm so pumped ... can't freakin wait ... I really hope HCDB wins another cup

[Godric]

The Bylsma hate is probably the most confusing aspect of our fandom. I don't get it. I really don't.

Its not hate first off, but how you can't understand that the coach might be on the hot seat after that philly debacle is hilarious

[MRandall25]

Who's saying that?

[MRandall25]

I don't see anyone saying he's absolved of the Flyers series.

However, saying that the Flyers series = what Dan Bylsma is as a coach is just flat out wrong.

[Rylan]

Technically its truly only one disappointment with Crosby and Malkin in a row...

[Godric]

Technically its truly only one disappointment with Crosby and Malkin in a row...

The Montreal series is a mulligan?

[Rylan]

If by in a row you meant in the playoffs and not consecutively then it would be 2 with them.

[Godric]

If by in a row you meant in the playoffs and not consecutively then it would be 2 with them.

Spoiler:

[Rylan]

You know its sad when Obama makes a face better than yourself, and it was yourself that made it famous...

[Froggy]

sometimes when i disagree with someone on this site, i look at who is on the other side of the disagreement, and i usually feel much better about the stance i've chosen.

[heshootsandscores]

Any team can beat any team on a given day. Lets just watch it unfold. I believe in this team, because every player is skilled in his position and plays his role to a T. They ALL want to win the Cup as a team. Great motivation!

[Sarcastic]

Well, if you have what is likely the best roster in the league, and you still come out short, then it has to be on the coach. I haven't seen a roster this stacked in years. Nothing less than the finals is acceptable.

[wondermoose]

If the Pens lose and they lose because they can't stop teams from scoring, the fall guy is going to be Fleury - plain and simple. The roster cannot be argued; every hole from last year has been filled except the one in net and it's up to Fleury to figure it out. I love the guy, always have, but I definitely see this as his last shot regardless of his history.

[Shakes]

sometimes when i disagree with someone on this site, i look at who is on the other side of the disagreement, and i usually feel much better about the stance i've chosen.

Deep thoughts...

[Kovy27]

Holy ****...DK gets a vote for the Hart Trophy. He'll probably **** up and put down Ovechkin.

[Desiato]

If the Pens lose in the first round, I expect a big shake-up; perhaps only Crosby and Shero would be considered untouchable. I do not foresee Bylsma surviving in this scenario.

A shake-up could also result from a loss deeper in the playoffs if they Pens are completely out-classed like last spring. This team is not unbeatable, however they should give any team a *hard* fight if they are eliminated.

Despite my earlier criticism of Bylsma, I give him full credit for the adjustments made the the breakout, forecheck and defense. There's no reason why this team should not have a successful run. If they go down, it must be an epic series.

[Rylan]

The Pens after the first quarter of the season have been consistently strong. They have had only a couple games where there seemed to be a lack of interest, but on the whole they have been dominant. I expect that trend to continue. That said, a hot goalie and a good defensive system can steal the Pens thunder and we as fans have to recognize that the Pens will be playing other teams. These other teams are also looking to win 16 games. In the event of a loss, there has to be proper evaluation and not a reactionary ZOMG TEH PENS LOST FIRE EVERYONE reactions. That is silly.

[Idoit40fans]

I stopped reading after the first word of the thread title, but felt the need to come in here and post this. Carry on.

[ScottishPenguin]

Sucks to be the head coach of a team like this. When the team wins it's because of the skill of the players, when they lose it's because of the ineptitude of the coach.

Bylsma does things that make me scratch my head sometimes. There are nights he seems to choose his combinations by picking numbers out of a hat whenever its time for a line change, and icing the puck every three minutes gets old fast, but the results aren't too bad. Hard to argue with his regular season success, especially in 10/11 when he got us to the playoffs with half-seasons from Sid, Geno and Staal, but the postseason hasn't been good to him...I sometimes wonder if he'd be better placed working with teams that are rebuilding and aiming to get into the playoffs rather than inevitably making the playoffs and aiming to win them.

[Idoit40fans]

What has he done to show that he'd be of use to a team that is rebuilding?