stepdad gaary
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- Dec 5, 2011
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News Article: Michael Farber on Dan Bylsma
- Thread starter MtlPenFan
- Start date
Ragamuffin Gunner
Lost in the Flood
gordie
5x
Laviolette doesn't have a job. Just saying. Noted players coach but doesn't take any ****.
That said, we all know it will be Hynes who replaces Bylsma should Byslma be let go.
That said, we all know it will be Hynes who replaces Bylsma should Byslma be let go.
JimmyTwoTimes
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- Apr 13, 2010
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Sidney the Kidney
One last time
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Team USA's result today looks eerily similar to something we've seen from Bylsma coached teams in Pittsburgh. Steamroll through the round robin/weaker teams (regular season) scoring at will, then struggle to score and lose when it counts (playoffs).
Is there a correlation there, based on his system being fine when the opposition doesn't give much of a challenge but then he can't find the adjustments when the opposition plays shutdown defense? Or is it more coincidence?
Is there a correlation there, based on his system being fine when the opposition doesn't give much of a challenge but then he can't find the adjustments when the opposition plays shutdown defense? Or is it more coincidence?
UnrealMachine
Registered User
Michael Farber is probably the Èminence Gris of North American hockey writing, not to say among those for sports in general. As such, the article is helped along greatly by its composition and the very fact that the man can write... which is a rarity among hockey scribes.
That said, the article doesn't really say much. It paints Bylsma as a dedicated individual who works hard and is driven towards becoming better. But if you write a profile on most people in high performance jobs, you will be able to paint a similar image of them.
Nor does the US going through the initial stages of an Olympic tournament in style tell us much - last time around it was Ron Wilson and, well.... you know. It is a good team this time also, and unlike on the Pens there are no dodgy areas for matching what Bylsma's wants. This is not to downplay the accomplishment of having them perform well right off the bat; it is something in his favor as we have also seen with his ability to have players come up from the minors and fit roles almost irrespective of talent level.
But this ability, which is an extension of his ability to make players feel part of the project I suppose, team spirit and all, does not do anything about what we might consider his warts... well, what I consider his warts certainly. All of that makes no difference in a 7 game series where he is called upon to prepare for particular opponents rather than just focus on #getting to our game, change on the fly, adjust for opposition and dictate match-ups. I've been disgusted with Bylsma on those counts ever since we won the cup.
He is uncommonly introspective? Well, ultimately I don't doubt that Bylsma is very dedicated to seeking out knowledge and considering whether new approaches of any kind can make him improve.
But as to what we can observe, I just don't see that the questions he is asking himself following spells of such introspection is leading to any actual change on the areas where I think him sub-par.
And as for our foundation, never mind adjustments or match ups, I am not particularly impressed with any part of our structure of play (decent defensive schemes, but minutes are not doled out according to performances or suitability to roles - pretty much the opposite of what we see with Bylsma's Olympic D-group), less so about the total lack of response or accountability when favored vets dumps on the porch, repeatedly. To me - when push comes to shove, we are exactly what our stars make us.
Managing a roster with stars the likes of ours is not easy, and I do credit Bylsma for being great at creating an atmosphere where apathy does not take hold and where people seem driven to excel.
However, if that atmosphere is also defined by us being incapable of managing our emotions under pressure or overcoming challenges in the crux, you have to question the value or solidity of it.
Players go to bat for him, and that is important. Players like being Penguins. That is important too. But clearly you can also find successful coaches that players go to bat for not as much because of personal affinity, but because they want to win and because performing is necessary to securing their role on the hockey team.
Oh, and on Babcock: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140130/SPORTS0103/301300041
While I have no doubt Bylsma is more likeable to players, as an owner I would still go with Babcock every day of the week. Well, at least until after the Canada-US game which has caused me to leave what could have turned into quite a party early.
This is a rather outstanding post. Well done.
Tender Rip
Wears long pants
ColePens
RIP Fugu Buffaloed & parabola
TR, that is because your post is 100% correct.
Ultimately for the rest of the thread, you cannot base DB's 1 game against Canada as a direct result as to why the Penguins fail. Yes... it was very similar. I agree. Even the announcers kept saying "Eventually USA has to try something different" over and over again. Yes - even that is similar. But this is a 1 game elimination game. I thought Canada just played a tremendous DEFENSIVE hockey game. Nothing more - nothing less.
Other than that - refer to TR's post for the rest.
Ultimately for the rest of the thread, you cannot base DB's 1 game against Canada as a direct result as to why the Penguins fail. Yes... it was very similar. I agree. Even the announcers kept saying "Eventually USA has to try something different" over and over again. Yes - even that is similar. But this is a 1 game elimination game. I thought Canada just played a tremendous DEFENSIVE hockey game. Nothing more - nothing less.
Other than that - refer to TR's post for the rest.
Beauner
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madinsomniac
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cheesedanish87
Registered User
I dunno about that, It was a terrible way to finish the tournament, but USA was predicted to finish 4th before the tournament started behind Canada Sweden and Russia ,they ended up where most people thought they would.
Jag68Sid87
Sullivan gots to go!
Oh if only the Penguins could finish every year where they're predicted to finish.
cassius
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- Jul 23, 2004
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Bylsma is a great guy, but when coaches have a brutal achilles heel thats been validated time and time again.. its time to consider alternatives.
At the end of the day, you don't employ head coaches because they are nice guys.. you employ them to win hockey games. Bylsma frequently gets outcoached and outstrategized during crunch time. Not hatin' just being honest.
At the end of the day, you don't employ head coaches because they are nice guys.. you employ them to win hockey games. Bylsma frequently gets outcoached and outstrategized during crunch time. Not hatin' just being honest.
AjaxTelamon
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- Jul 8, 2011
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I prefer the Scotty Bowman approach to the DB player's best friend one. Steve Shutt said something like "You hated him for 364 days a year and then you collected your Stanley Cup ring on the 365th" about Scotty Bowman.
I actually felt worse about DB as the coach after reading that article. The guy has so little coaching experience. It's hard to believe Shero will let him coach the two best players in the league through their primes unless he rapidly gets better.
I actually felt worse about DB as the coach after reading that article. The guy has so little coaching experience. It's hard to believe Shero will let him coach the two best players in the league through their primes unless he rapidly gets better.
Sidney the Kidney
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- Jun 29, 2009
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Because Brown doesn't play for his club team in the NHL, and Bylsma doesn't have to be buddies with him the rest of the season.
It's the same reason why he will bench Brown for sub par play, but continued to play Orpik despite Orpik being the worst defenseman on the ice for Team USA.
His usage of Orpik is actually another thing that still concerns me about Bylsma's returning to coach the Pens. He clearly has not learned from his previous year mistakes, and continues to play his favorites no matter how bad they are.
At least if he'd benched Orpik, or used Orpik as the 7th defenseman, it would be a sign he's moving away from his blind favoritism when there are better options available. But nope, same ol' Dan.
cheesedanish87
Registered User
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-p...hockey-s-olympic-embarrassment-231757389.html
You guys are going to love this article.
These USA games need to be separated, there is nothing embarrassing about a 1-0 loss to one of the most talented teams in hockey history.
This article lost a ton of credibility with this quote.
Yes, the score was 1-0; but watching it, the semifinal was the largest margin of victory in a 1-goal game I’ve ever seen.
He obviously didn't remember Canada's last 2 games before they played USA.
You guys are going to love this article.
These USA games need to be separated, there is nothing embarrassing about a 1-0 loss to one of the most talented teams in hockey history.
This article lost a ton of credibility with this quote.
Yes, the score was 1-0; but watching it, the semifinal was the largest margin of victory in a 1-goal game I’ve ever seen.
He obviously didn't remember Canada's last 2 games before they played USA.
Pretty much.
Today against Finland Patrick Kane had two breakaways and Pacioretty had one. DB can't go out there and put the puck in the net for them. Patrick Kane in particular was just snakebite all tournament long. He failed to score a single goal despite having plenty of chances.
The U.S. just doesn't have the depth of high end skill that Canada has. Canada can get away with Crosby not doing much. The U.S. can't get away with Kane not scoring a goal or Parise not producing as well as he's capable of either.
AjaxTelamon
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http://triblive.com/sports/dejankovacevic/dejancolumns/5610131-74/bylsma-game-finland#axzz2u6YHj0ZD
Dejan article pretty much sums it up. DB is clearly trying his best. But Shero is attaching himself at the hip to the guy by backing him in Pittsburgh and for Team USA, and that's what I can't figure out. Clearly those comments by the players do not reflect well on the coaches.
Dejan article pretty much sums it up. DB is clearly trying his best. But Shero is attaching himself at the hip to the guy by backing him in Pittsburgh and for Team USA, and that's what I can't figure out. Clearly those comments by the players do not reflect well on the coaches.
cheesedanish87
Registered User
Greg Wyshynski is an idiot and a known Penguins/Crosby hater, and Ovechkin lover. He sneaks anti-Penguins stuff into as many articles as possible. Don't ever read his crap.
What happened was simple: USA wanted to win he Gold, they didn't. They weren't that interested in the Bronze and didn't show up.
I hate Bylsma but this wasn't his fault. They lost 1-0 to the most talented team maybe ever. Quick blew. Kane missed two penalty shots. It wasn't meant to be.
Tender Rip
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Sidney the Kidney
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A snippet from the article:
The bolded parts are eerily similar with his coaching of the Penguins. His stubborn refusal to change/adjust is going to kill the Pens again in the playoffs. I've thought that ever since last season's playoffs, and he did nothing at the Olympics to change my opinion of that. If anything, his performance at the Olympics supported that belief.
