Dan Bylsma, after sitting the 2014-15 NHL season out, has found a new job. He will be behind the bench of the Buffalo Sabres next season.
Bylsma officially hired by Sabres. Give up a 3rd round pick next year as compensation.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) May 28, 2015
The 44-year old Grand Haven native had coached the Pittsburgh Penguins since the tail end of the 2008-09 season, winning a Stanley Cup that year and consistently making the playoffs each year since. His regular season record is quite impressive, posting a 252-117-32 mark in four plus seasons with the club.
After failing to get past the 2nd round in each of the three seasons after the magical run, the Penguins would make the Eastern Conference Finals in 2013, only to be swept by the Boston Bruins. In last year’s playoffs, the team was one win away from getting back, only to lose a 3-1 series lead to the hands of the eventual Eastern Conference Champion New York Rangers. This was the final straw in the eyes of the Penguins management, as General Manager Ray Shero along with Bylsma were fired.
This past season, Bylsma coached his son’s U-15 team and did some spot coverage as a TV analyst for the World Juniors among other events on NHL Network. The Penguins paid $4 million of his contract to him during the timeframe and will have to do the same next season as Bylsma coaches the Sabres.
With Buffalo he inherits a team with a bright future. Despite missing out on Connor McDavid in the draft lottery, Bylsma will get to coach another generational player in Jack Eichel. It doesn’t stop there with the Sabres farm and personnel, as names like Sam Reinhart, Evander Kane, Zach Bogosian, and Jake McCabe highlight the pack. It will take time, but Bylsma has the personnel to build the team back up into a contender. Eichel speeding up things helps too.
It will be interesting to see how Bylsma will adapt to a rebuilding situation versus being a perennial playoff contender, especially being out of the game for a full season.
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