The NHL, just like other pro-sports, is a league that is about winning Championships. It’s about succeeding in the “now.” All too often, it seems many teams lose sight of this and hold on to a coach or star player far too long with no reward. So don’t you think it is time for Penguins Management to ask, “What have you done lately Mr. Bylsma?”
Since making his coaching debut in 2009, a year which he took over a very defensive minded team brought them back to basics and coached them to a Stanley Cup Victory, he has done very little when it comes to the post-season. Surprising as he has had much success in the regular season, being the fastest coach to 250 wins in NHL history and all. So why can’t he transition that success to the playoffs?
Yes, he deserves a large amount of the credit for the Cup Championship in 2009. But we cannot overlook how Bylsma has been unsuccessful in the postseason since implementing his coaching style and system fully into the Penguins organization.
Now, in order to realize what he has or hasn’t done, you need to exclude the year they won the Cup as it wasn’t until 2010 that he truly implemented his system into the Penguins game plan. So looking at it this way, his record is 20-23 in the postseason; hardly anything to hang your hat on.
So what are the reasons for his “failure” you ask?
Well many question his lack of accountability with the players and his inability or unwillingness to adjust his game plan. These are two issues that are undeniably big reasons why the Penguins have failed to make it past the Conference finals since winning it all in 09.
Let’s take a quick look at past playoffs.
2009-2010 – Lost in Semi-finals to the Montreal Canadiens. A team that utilized a game-plan that exploited Bylsma’s quick transition game. During this series no noticeable adjustments were made as Dan believed if the Penguins “Got to their game” they would be fine.
2010-2011 – Lost in the Quarter-finals to Tampa Bay a series that the Penguins held a 3-1 lead in but ultimately lost in game 7.
2011-2012 – Losing once again in the Quarter-finals, this time to Divisional Rival Philadelphia. A series which saw a total of 56 goals scored between the two teams in 7 games. This was a match-up that was very favorable, on paper, for the Penguins. There is no doubt that Fleury struggled this in this series, but the lack of adjustments made by the coaching staff was ultimately what ended this playoff run.
2012-2013 – After struggling mightily in the first round against the New York Islanders, the Penguins made their way to the Conference Finals for the 3rd time in five years only to be embarrassed by the Boston Bruins. Undoubtedly Dan Bylsma was out-coached in this series; a series many believed would the final games for Dan behind the Penguins bench.
Going into this postseason, Penguins management needs to realize that the team deserves better than what we have had the last four years. While there’s no denying Bylsma’s success in the regular season, he has yet to prove himself when it matters most.
Many say “Cup or bust.” Honestly though, is that not a little unfair? Winning the most sought after trophy in all of sports is extremely difficult, and to base and determine the future of anyone on winning it is a little irresponsible. Now that’s not to say that making it to the Finals shouldn’t be the benchmark; as it seems to be a far better and reasonable request. Not only would it prove that he was able to learn from the previous year’s failures, but it would show this team is moving in the right direction.
