Archives for May 2015

'Bylsma won the Jack Adams Award in 2011 as the league’s “most outstanding coach” following a season that saw Pittsburgh overcome adversity to post one of the best regular-season records in franchise history. The Penguins went 49-25-8 and won the Atlantic Division that season despite ranking near the top of the league with 350 man games lost due to injury, including 119 from … [Read more...] about Dan Bylsma hired as Sabres new head coach

'“Sure, I had heard all the praise he had received beforehand,” Bylsma recounted in a phone interview with the Postmedia Network on Thursday night. “But this wasn’t going to be a situation where you were playing against teenagers at the world juniors. Or against college kids. Here he was playing against men.”' … [Read more...] about Sabres’ Bylsma, Eichel could form dynamic coach-player duo

'He will be different with a young team, but there is no doubt he will let the Sabres explore their offensive abilities.' … [Read more...] about Dan Bylsma will push offense as Sabres’ new coach

'Collectively, it seems that the criticism of Dan Bylsma as a head coach can be reduced to ‘he rode the talent of two amazing players to an impressive coaching record, yet at the same time couldn’t win enough’, which is equal parts ironic and specious. Look, there’s little doubt that having Sidney Crosby and/or Evgeni Malkin in the lineup helped things along, but again, these … [Read more...] about Bylsma can stand on his track record

'Bylsma has to be a talent developer, while also attempting to win hockey games. Those aims don't always cooperate. No one is saying the Sabres should play to lose as it seemed like they did based on roster construction last season. But wins and losses may not be the most important thing up front. With young guys like Sam Reinhart, Zemgus Girgensons, Mikhail Grigorenko, Nikita … [Read more...] about Sabres hire Dan Bylsma as new head coach

'Even if that's not what he's aiming to do (and though he won't admit it, there has to be a chip on his shoulder in some way), Bylsma does have an opportunity to build on his legacy as a head coach. Some might feel he is overrated because his only NHL job came with the stars of the Penguins, but this situation in Buffalo will truly test him.' … [Read more...] about Dan Bylsma introduced as Sabres head coach: 5 takeaways

'“I probably learned as much from working with those players — Sidney and Evgeni — as they learned from me. I think it’s going to be applicable to the likes of Sam Reinhart and Jack Eichel, who are going to be viewed in that same light, that same scope that star players are put into.”' … [Read more...] about Bylsma praises ‘elite’ Eichel, cites experience of coaching star players

'Mike Babcock was the prize of the Sabres’ coaching search, before he opted to take the Toronto Maple Leafs’ blockbuster offer. But like with Eichel, it’s not like they’re settling for Bylsma. He's a solid pro and a geat teacher for young players. Plus, he’s had similar NHL success to Babcock – well, save for Sochi – and has actually beaten Babcock for a title – well, again, … [Read more...] about Dan Bylsma all about Sabres’ success, not shaming Penguins

'From Grand Haven, Michigan, Bylsma is a former NHL forward, who made his professional debut by playing two games with the Sabres' American Hockey League affiliate in Rochester in 1992-93. After bouncing around the minors, he eventually played parts of nine seasons with the Los Angeles Kings and Anaheim Ducks before retiring in 2004.' … [Read more...] about Bylsma faces big rebuilding challenge in taking over Sabres

'However, after the Pens won the Stanley Cup in 2009, the club won just four playoff series in the subsequent five seasons and twice lost a series in which the club held a 3-1 advantage.' … [Read more...] about Sabres name Bylsma head coach

'The Penguins are assured a third-round draft choice in return, and Bylsma is likely to command a healthy salary to replace Ted Nolan in Buffalo.' … [Read more...] about Penguins’ Bylsma named Sabres coach

'When you move to the blue line, things are different. Bylsma said, “The pieces while they’re good, they’re young they’re developing defensemen, but they’re good players. The other players that are coming to the Sabres, Sam Reinhart, they’re going to be very, very good young players, but they are developing, but they’re surrounded with good people, they’re surrounded with Josh … [Read more...] about Extra from Sabres’ Bylsma and Murray

'In 2008-09, his first year as an NHL head coach, Bylsma took over a Pittsburgh team that ranked 10th in the Eastern Conference with just 25 games remaining in the regular season. Under Bylsma, the Penguins went 18-3-4 to finish the season fourth in the conference before going 16-8 in the playoffs on the way to the franchise’s first Stanley Cup in 16 years.' … [Read more...] about Sabres hire Dan Bylsma as Head Coach

'“Character guy, great teammate, fearless shot blocker, would do anything to win,” Van Boxmeer gushed on Thursday. “He was a thinking man’s player and a student of the game. Not loud or boisterous in the room, just a solid citizen.”' … [Read more...] about Bylsma brings winning pedigree to Buffalo

'“To me, he’s a winner. He knows what it takes to get there, how to perform when you are there,” Sabres general manager Tim Murray said at Bylsma's introductory press conference at First Niagara Center. “So there are a lot of lessons he can give to young players. That’s part of the culture. We’ve been trying to change the culture here every day. But this is a big swing to the … [Read more...] about Bylsma sees bright future with Sabres