If Pens lose series..Is Blysma fired?

[pilldoc]

Obviously they have better talent, but this would the 2nd year in row with an early exit. First the Flyers last year and now the Isles this year.

Granted the series is not over yet...just playing pretend here......IF the Pens lose the series...do you fire Blysma or give him one more year......

[nossagog]

Bylsma is showing that he has trobules coaching a team in the playoffs. He's not adjusting to what the Isles are doing. He's not correcting the litte things that his own team is doing wrong. Shero built a team to win the cup, and right now they are not even the best team in this series.

Will he be fired? Probably not. He's just coming off getting to 200 wins faster than any coach in NHL history.

Should he be fired? I'd like to see someone that does a better job of in game adjustments, not the steady as she goes attitude he has.

[hf101]

Interesting. Both Blysma and Therrien are struggling with the #1 and #2 teams.

There really isn't another thing that Shero could do for this dream team to give it a better shot at winning the cup this year. I think Blysma would have to be fired.

[trevluk]

I believe this would make 3 years in a row with a first round exit (for the record, I still think the Pens win this series in 6) so you would think the Bylsma would certainly be in the chopping block. That being said, he is a good coach and I dont think he gets the can as there doesnt seem to be any better replacement options right now. (Unless Lavy gets canned! )

[flyercanuck]

IF (and I highly doubt it) they go out in the first round this would make 4 years in a row the team with arguably the top 2 players in the world the top 2 Hart nominees the top Norris, Masterton, Lady Byng, Vezina, the top 5 Conn Smythe contenders best gm in the world and greatest coach ever underachieved horribly.

I don't think the league can vote they win the Stanley, but if there's a will....

[B21]

Yes. Hire Capuano.

Just spitballing but maybe Bylsma has become a little too laid back? He doesn't need to go all fire and brimstone but would it hurt to actually get angry at someone on the bench?

[murraycraven]

Bylsma is showing that he has trobules coaching a team in the playoffs. He's not adjusting to what the Isles are doing. He's not correcting the litte things that his own team is doing wrong. Shero built a team to win the cup, and right now they are not even the best team in this series.

Will he be fired? Probably not. He's just coming off getting to 200 wins faster than any coach in NHL history.

Should he be fired? I'd like to see someone that does a better job of in game adjustments, not the steady as she goes attitude he has.

Bylsma is the Andy Reid of the NHL**... I agree with you about the in-game adjustements. I cant imagine he would be fired with his success since coming into Pitt. My question is different and I brought this up in another thread: I look at this Pens Team and just see an overall attitude with this Team that they expect to win without ever playing. It is almost like they feel they sould be entitled to win in the playoffs.

For all the talent Malkin is an absolute moron when it comes to being instigated. If the Isles can keep up the fire and body up on Crosby there is a very real chance that the Pens are one and done again.

**at least DB won a Cup:)

Edited May 8, 2013 by murraycraven

[Polaris922]

IF (and I highly doubt it) they go out in the first round this would make 4 years in a row the team with arguably the top 2 players in the world the top 2 Hart nominees the top Norris, Masterton, Lady Byng, Vezina, the top 5 Conn Smythe contenders best gm in the world and greatest coach ever underachieved horribly.

I don't think the league can vote they win the Stanley, but if there's a will....

I'll count that as a vote in favor...

[EDI-Flyer]

So, down 2-0 against Boston and whilst a series loss is not a foregone conclusion it increasingly looks like a strong possibility.

If I were Shero I would be increasingly concerned, not so much by the losses but the manner of them. Whilst the team themselves has to take responsibility for their own poor performances (yeah 87,71 and 58, I'm looking at you!) the overall lack of cohesion and inability to cope with Bostons game plan surely has to sit with Bylsma.

Whilst you have to respect his regular season credentials, if you take 2009 out of the equation he just doesn't seem to have the ability to make the adjustments needed for success in the playoffs. Whilst I am on the record as saying over three months ago that the Hawks would win the cup (and I still believe that FWIW) the loading up that Shero did at the deadline should have given the Pens a clear path to the Stanley Cup Final with a modicum of coaching. Anything less would be seen as a huge failure by the majority of Pens fans, and indeed fans around the league. The question remains as to whether Shero as GM, and Lemieux and Burkle as owners, feel the same way.

As a Flyers fan I say keep Bylsma - it is fun watching the team meltdown and descending to fingerpointing and saying the refs were to blame when things go wrong (albeit after game 2 Sid did have the decency to admit the truth "tonight we were just terrible"). However If I were sitting in the Penguins camp I would have to say Bylsma needs to go for the good of the franchise.

Thoughts?

Edited June 4, 2013 by EDI-Flyer

[B21]

So, down 2-0 against Boston and whilst a series loss is not a foregone conclusion it increasingly looks like a strong possibility.

If I were Shero I would be increasingly concerned, not so much by the losses but the manner of them. Whilst the team themselves has to take responsibility for their own poor performances (yeah 87,71 and 58, I'm looking at you!) the overall lack of cohesion and inability to cope with Bostons game plan surely has to sit with Bylsma.

Whilst you have to respect his regular season credentials, if you take 2009 out of the equation he just doesn't seem to have the ability to make the adjustments needed for success in the playoffs. Whilst I am on the record as saying over three months ago that the Hawks would win the cup (and I still believe that FWIW) the loading up that Shero did at the deadline should have given the Pens a clear path to the Stanley Cup Final with a modicum of coaching. Anything less would be seen as a huge failure by the majority of Pens fans, and indeed fans around the league. The question remains as to whether Shero as GM, and Lemieux and Burkle as owners, feel the same way.

As a Flyers fan I say keep Bylsma - it is fun watching the team meltdown and descending to fingerpointing and saying the refs were to blame when things go wrong (albeit after game 2 Sid did have the decency to admit the truth "tonight we were just terrible"). However If I were sitting in the Penguins camp I would have to say Bylsma needs to go for the good of the franchise.

Thoughts?

Fired. Losing in the ECF is OK. Losing they way they are? With this team? Fired.

[brelic]

Fired. Losing in the ECF is OK. Losing they way they are? With this team? Fired.

You think so? I mean, this is the same guy that turned the team around mid-season and led them to a SC.

I think it's less a reflection on Bylsma, and more a reality of strong competition. If the Bruins lose this series, do you fire Julien? After being up 2-0? What about the year of their historical collapse against Philly? Should they have fired Julien? All he did was come back the next year and win the Cup.

Firing the coach is the easy thing to do... and Flyers fans know a thing or two about that!

It might just mean that this isn't Pittsburgh's year. And that's ok. Because as much as you want to be that one team left standing drinking from Lord Stanley's Cup (sounds kinda gross), there are 29 chances that you won't.

I say keep him. He's proven he can win with this team.

[ruxpin]

So, down 2-0 against Boston and whilst a series loss is not a foregone conclusion it increasingly looks like a strong possibility.

If I were Shero I would be increasingly concerned, not so much by the losses but the manner of them. Whilst the team themselves has to take responsibility for their own poor performances (yeah 87,71 and 58, I'm looking at you!) the overall lack of cohesion and inability to cope with Bostons game plan surely has to sit with Bylsma.

Whilst you have to respect his regular season credentials, if you take 2009 out of the equation he just doesn't seem to have the ability to make the adjustments needed for success in the playoffs. Whilst I am on the record as saying over three months ago that the Hawks would win the cup (and I still believe that FWIW) the loading up that Shero did at the deadline should have given the Pens a clear path to the Stanley Cup Final with a modicum of coaching. Anything less would be seen as a huge failure by the majority of Pens fans, and indeed fans around the league. The question remains as to whether Shero as GM, and Lemieux and Burkle as owners, feel the same way.

As a Flyers fan I say keep Bylsma - it is fun watching the team meltdown and descending to fingerpointing and saying the refs were to blame when things go wrong (albeit after game 2 Sid did have the decency to admit the truth "tonight we were just terrible"). However If I were sitting in the Penguins camp I would have to say Bylsma needs to go for the good of the franchise.

Thoughts?

You used "whilst" at least 4 times in the same post. REPORTED!

[EDI-Flyer]

You used "whilst" at least 4 times in the same post. REPORTED!

Grammar and correct English on a hockey forum... Who'da thunk it?!!!

Edited June 4, 2013 by EDI-Flyer

[brelic]

You used "whilst" at least 4 times in the same post. REPORTED!

Oh come on! Who amongst us hasn't?

[B21]

@brelic

<< You think so? I mean, this is the same guy that turned the team around mid-season and led them to a SC. >>

In hindsight, one could argue that was a product of Bylsman not being Michel Therien.

<< I think it's less a reflection on Bylsma, and more a reality of strong competition. If the Bruins lose this series, do you fire Julien? After being up 2-0? What about the year of their historical collapse against Philly? Should they have fired Julien? All he did was come back the next year and win the Cup. >>

Expectations are were a lot higher for the Pens though - and rightfully so. I can't kill him (Julien) for the collapse either...that team was decimated by injuries after the first 3 games in that series. Julie still has "Cup capital" in the bank. Bylsma's is fast running out. I don't want Torts - but a little less of a "players's coach" might be in order.

<< It might just mean that this isn't Pittsburgh's year. And that's ok. Because as much as you want to be that one team left standing drinking from Lord Stanley's Cup (sounds kinda gross), there are 29 chances that you won't. >>

Maybe. I/M/H/O, they made it "there year" going all in with Iginla, Morrow and Murray (though didn't give up much). Plus, it's very possible that this team will be without Malkin or Letang (or maybe even Fleury) next season. Still a contender/favorite but not as good as this team...on paper.

[radoran]

I say keep him. He's proven he can win with this team.

He proved he could win with another team a few years ago. That's not "this team."

You don't bring in Brendan Morrow, Jarome Iginla and Douglas Murray (to a much lesser extent Jokinen) and flame out like this in the ECFs.

If they make it a series, Bylsma could be back. If they go down 4-0 in flames, he's done.

[B21]

He proved he could win with another team a few years ago. That's not "this team."

You don't bring in Brendan Morrow, Jarome Iginla and Douglas Murray (to a much lesser extent Jokinen) and flame out like this in the ECFs.

If they make it a series, Bylsma could be back. If they go down 4-0 in flames, he's done.

So the fun part is...who do you replace him with?

Do you go in house and promote Tony Granato? He certainly brings a little more emotion than Bylsma (ask Berube).

Biggest name on the market - Alain Vigneault? Replace one underachieving coach with another?

Guy Boucher? He was an assistant with Rimouski when Sid was there.

Outside the box....Ron Francis?

[murraycraven]

@brelic

<< You think so? I mean, this is the same guy that turned the team around mid-season and led them to a SC. >>

In hindsight, one could argue that was a product of Bylsman not being Michel Therien.

<< I think it's less a reflection on Bylsma, and more a reality of strong competition. If the Bruins lose this series, do you fire Julien? After being up 2-0? What about the year of their historical collapse against Philly? Should they have fired Julien? All he did was come back the next year and win the Cup. >>

Expectations are were a lot higher for the Pens though - and rightfully so. I can't kill him (Julien) for the collapse either...that team was decimated by injuries after the first 3 games in that series. Julie still has "Cup capital" in the bank. Bylsma's is fast running out. I don't want Torts - but a little less of a "players's coach" might be in order.

<< It might just mean that this isn't Pittsburgh's year. And that's ok. Because as much as you want to be that one team left standing drinking from Lord Stanley's Cup (sounds kinda gross), there are 29 chances that you won't. >>

Maybe. I/M/H/O, they made it "there year" going all in with Iginla, Morrow and Murray (though didn't give up much). Plus, it's very possible that this team will be without Malkin or Letang (or maybe even Fleury) next season. Still a contender/favorite but not as good as this team...on paper.

Honestly that would be perfect for a Flyers fan... I would love to see Crosby under a Coach like Torts!

[brelic]

In hindsight, one could argue that was a product of Bylsman not being Michel Therien.

Absolutely. Just like Laviolette's SCF team was still a byproduct of Stevens. It still shouldn't diminish the accomplishment. Put another way, they were certainly not winning a Cup with Therrien.

Maybe. I/M/H/O, they made it "there year" going all in with Iginla, Morrow and Murray (though didn't give up much). Plus, it's very possible that this team will be without Malkin or Letang (or maybe even Fleury) next season. Still a contender/favorite but not as good as this team...on paper

And whose fault is that? Shero... not Bylsma. Going all in doesn't really guarantee anything, and if it doesn't work, it's a reflection on the GM more than anything else.

I agree with everything you're saying, but an ECF loss - to me - doesn't seem like a fire-able offense.

In any case, if you want more Cups in the Crosby window, maybe you look at another coach. But I would think he's earned at least another season.

[Podein25]

This is too funny not to share. Apologies to Pens fans, all in good fun:

http://www.crossingbroad.com/2013/06/pilot-asks-if-crying-baby-on-plane-is-sidney-crosby.html

[brelic]

He proved he could win with another team a few years ago. That's not "this team."

It's the same core.

You don't bring in Brendan Morrow, Jarome Iginla and Douglas Murray (to a much lesser extent Jokinen) and flame out like this in the ECFs.

And Bylsma did none of that. Shero did. So fire him.

Bylsma had about, what, 10 games to work the new guys into the system? Big flashy trade deadline acquisitions rarely work. It's chasing a pink dragon.

[radoran]

I don't know who they would get. I just know how NHL executives tend to react under these circumstances

[radoran]

And Bylsma did none of that. Shero did. So fire him.

Bylsma had about, what, 10 games to work the new guys into the system? Big flashy trade deadline acquisitions rarely work. It's chasing a pink dragon.

I'm not saying it's right I'm saying this is what they do.

The GM is simply not going to blame himself for the problem. And I just don't believe that you make those sorts of moves in the absence of an owner (especially Mario) knowing and approving.

Totally agreed on deadline deals - you need to add a final piece, not restructure the foundation. Bringing in two former captains (Morrow, Iginla) isn't "adding a final piece."

[brelic]

I'm not saying it's right I'm saying this is what they do.

The GM is simply not going to blame himself for the problem. And I just don't believe that you make those sorts of moves in the absence of an owner (especially Mario) knowing and approving.

Totally agreed on deadline deals - you need to add a final piece, not restructure the foundation. Bringing in two former captains (Morrow, Iginla) isn't "adding a final piece."

Yeah, I see what you mean. I know that realistically, the coach will get the heat and probably the ax. But Mario could fire Shero for those moves (assuming of course that the Bruins win the series which is far from over). I know he won't, you know he won't, and Shero knows he won't. But really, at the end of the day, he made those moves and stuck Bylsma with them.

Just like Snomer (the Snider and Homer beast) saddled Laviolette with Bryzgalov... yet we all know who will pay the price.

[radoran]

Just like Snomer (the Snider and Homer beast) saddled Laviolette with Bryzgalov... yet we all know who will pay the price.

Well, Bryzgalov Let's not overlook the Snomer's signing of Leighton and Boucher to "back up" Bryz, which led Laviolette to start Bryz in 11 of 12 games in 20 days plus both ends of three (of four) back to backs over those 20 days.

Hell, the biggest "shake up" in recent memory at the Big Bank Building involved promoting Clarke's protege to take over for Clarke...