How bad of a coach was Dan Bylsma

[LevelingSolo]

Won the cup using Michel Therrien's system then proceeded to lose in sometimes brutal fashion for the rest of his time with the Penguins.

Since Sullivan came in the Penguins haven't lost a series and look like a threat to win the Cup once more. Sure he didn't have Kessel and Murray but still had prime Crosby and Malkin. Makes you wonder if Bylsma was the biggest problem with the Penguins during his time there.

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[3074326]

He was terrible. Buffalo fans can confirm this. Definitely held the team back.

Mike Johnston wasn't any better.

 

[Beau Knows]

Very bad.

Of course the Penguins lineup is also far better than the teams DB had, although DB likely had input on the type of players we were trying to get, as Sullivan does now (speedy, skilled players).

 

[jcs0218]

Very bad.

Of course the Penguins lineup is also far better than the teams DB had, although DB likely had input on the type of players we were trying to get, as Sullivan does now (speedy, skilled players).

The Penguins were very stacked in 2012 and 2013.

 

[LevelingSolo]

He was terrible. Buffalo fans can confirm this. Definitely held the team back.

Mike Johnston wasn't any better.

Forgot about that guy tbh...

 

[TheNumber4]

He was terrible. Buffalo fans can confirm this. Definitely held the team back.

Mike Johnston wasn't any better.

Can they though? He Sabres are still bad.

 

[Cellee]

Very bad.

Of course the Penguins lineup is also far better than the teams DB had, although DB likely had input on the type of players we were trying to get, as Sullivan does now (speedy, skilled players).

The team is definitely constructed much better.

 

[PenguinSpeed]

The Penguins were very stacked in 2012 and 2013.

-In those 3 years including 2014, Crosby played 41, 22, and 36 games total, for the entire year. The one year Crosby and Malkin both missed the entire playoffs. Its not realistic to win when 1 if not two of your all stars are out of the playoffs. Many thought Crosby would retire because of Concussions.

 

[Cellee]

The Penguins were very stacked in 2012 and 2013.

Sort of. They lacked the grit, speed, and identity they have now.

 

[robes1]

He was terrible. Buffalo fans can confirm this. Definitely held the team back.

Mike Johnston wasn't any better.

As bad as Bylsma was, Johnston was on a whole other level of bad.

 

[Zirakzigil]

He couldn’t coach skilled players, he loved his grinders. And forget about young kids. He did absolutely nothing with some stacked teams. He was a bad coach when he was using his system.

 

[Sidney the Kidney]

As bad as Bylsma was, Johnston was on a whole other level of bad.

Eh, I think they were equally bad, but for different reasons.

 

[Human]

f*** that guy. also Shero wasn't too smart for holding on to such a loser.

 

[ImporterExporter]

He was BAD. Mike Johnston was even WORSE. Sometimes you have to go through the shit to get the roses.

 

[Honour Over Glory]

I like that people still ask this question, then ask what happened to the Pens from 2010-2014.

 

[BHD]

Yes, the roster is better, but make no mistake. Dan Bylsma was a terrible coach, and probably still is.

 

[Loseipeg]

He was fine. Pens apologists have this sad habit of blaming their coaches or any scapegoat really rather than the truth - crosby malkin and the rest choked from 2010-2015. Badly at that.

 

[Doctyl]

He was terrible. Buffalo fans can confirm this. Definitely held the team back.

Mike Johnston wasn't any better.

Seriously wasn’t Crosby like pacing for 40 points under Johnston? How are you that bad a coach that you accomplish that?

 

[Doctyl]

He was fine. Pens apologists have this sad habit of blaming their coaches or any scapegoat really rather than the truth - crosby malkin and the rest choked from 2010-2015. Badly at that.

What? No. He’s one of the worst in the league. A rock could have coached that penguins team to a cup.

 

[GordieHowsUrBreath]

He was fine. Pens apologists have this sad habit of blaming their coaches or any scapegoat really rather than the truth - crosby malkin and the rest choked from 2010-2015. Badly at that.

whether they choked or not, they have surpassed the hawks

 

[Canucks1096]

He was fine. Pens apologists have this sad habit of blaming their coaches or any scapegoat really rather than the truth - crosby malkin and the rest choked from 2010-2015. Badly at that.

2010 Halak went crazy
2011 Crosby and Malkin both hurt
2012 MAF decided to let 5 goals on average a game
2013 Boston system completely shut down Malkin and Crosby.
2014 Rangers were just better. Pens didnt have the depth
2015 Rangers were just better. Pen didn't have the depth

So I wouldn't use the word choked.

 

[22FUTON9]

Bylsma sounded so smart in HBO I was kind of surprised how many pens fans were calling for his head

 

[Vancouver Canucks]

He was terrible. Buffalo fans can confirm this. Definitely held the team back.

Mike Johnston wasn't any better.

Ew, Johnston was worse, I think.

 

[mrzeigler]

2010 Halak went crazy
2011 Crosby and Malkin both hurt
2012 MAF decided to let 5 goals on average a game
2013 Boston system completely shut down Malkin and Crosby.
2014 Rangers were just better. Pens didnt have the depth
2015 Rangers were just better. Pen didn't have the depth

So I wouldn't use the word choked.

I’m all for providing context and recognizing that the team’s players and, yes, even the opposition sometimes has something to do with a team not winning a series, but 2012 and 2013 have always jumped out at me as being byproducts of the coach’s system and unwillingness to adjust to what the opposition is doing.

 

[The Shovel Penguin]

He was fine. Pens apologists have this sad habit of blaming their coaches or any scapegoat really rather than the truth - crosby malkin and the rest choked from 2010-2015. Badly at that.

Part of that is the coach's job. The inmates ran the asylum when he was behind the bench and our players lost their sense of discipline and composure under him. And anyone that follows the team remembers the overall culture that prevailed under him over time.

It wasn't just their ability to stay disciplined and composed during games, it was some of the other bull**** in his effort to keep things "lighthearted and fun" -- one year he let players wear Halloween costumes at practice, every month they'd play "mustache boy" -- shootout loser had to wear a mustache that month. When the Pirates were in the baseball postseason, he or someone decided it would be fun to play a game of wiffle ball on the ice (and apparently Neal managed to get hurt)

It's not like I have a problem with a coach loosening things up when it's needed, but it added up with him and he didn't provide much discipline when it was needed both in their game plan and team culture. He was a breath of fresh air when the Pens needed it in 2009, but things just got worse with him over time.

Not only did the Pens underachieve under him and he held Buffalo back, he failed miserably for USA at the Olympics as well.

I imagine he would be a great coach for kids. Grown men, not so much.