Pittsburgh fires GM Ray Shero - Head Coach Dan Bylsma NOT fired

[bustaheims]

That decision sounds like it took 2 seconds.

Yeah. I mean, it sounds like it was pre-determined.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

"Jim, just one more question and I think we're good: what would you do with Dan Bylsma? Fire him? Or fire him?"

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Man, they really should have just done that 3 weeks ago. I'll be very happy if the mismanagement of the Pittsburgh Penguins continues. The East is going to be much easier that way.

 

[ZBBM]

Man, they really should have just done that 3 weeks ago. I'll be very happy if the mismanagement of the Pittsburgh Penguins continues. The East is going to be much easier that way.

Kind of like we should have fired Carlyle about 3 weeks ago.  Then we could have hired Bylsma.

 

[Corn Flake]

Man, they really should have just done that 3 weeks ago. I'll be very happy if the mismanagement of the Pittsburgh Penguins continues. The East is going to be much easier that way.

Kind of like we should have fired Carlyle about 3 weeks ago.  Then we could have hired Bylsma.

Why on earth is Bylsma a good option?

 

[Peter D.]

I too thought Rutherford was looking to semi-retire and was going to take on a more supervisory/overseeing role within the Canes organization.

At least for Bylsma there are head coaches positions that have yet to be filled.

 

[ZBBM]

Man, they really should have just done that 3 weeks ago. I'll be very happy if the mismanagement of the Pittsburgh Penguins continues. The East is going to be much easier that way.

Kind of like we should have fired Carlyle about 3 weeks ago.  Then we could have hired Bylsma.

Why on earth is Bylsma a good option?

Seen his winning percentage?

And no, his success is not entirely due to Crosby and Malkin -- just as, to be fair, Carlyle's Cup wasn't due only to Niedermayer and Pronger.

Are you saying Bylsma's a lousy coach?

 

[bustaheims]

I too thought Rutherford was looking to semi-retire and was going to take on a more supervisory/overseeing role within the Canes organization.

mirtle: Rutherford said he expects to only be GM for two or three years. He's 65. Succession plan in place for him to mentor his assistant GMs.

 

[bustaheims]

mirtle: Rutherford says he didn't have meetings with Bylsma to get his side of the story. Call came from on high.

If that's true, that's really poorly done by the Pens. If they knew they were going to let him go, they should have done it before today.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

mirtle: Rutherford says he didn't have meetings with Bylsma to get his side of the story. Call came from on high.

If that's true, that's really poorly done by the Pens. If they knew they were going to let him go, they should have done it before today.

That's weird.  Sounds like they basically didn't want him to be hired in Washington.

 

[bustaheims]

That's weird.  Sounds like they basically didn't want him to be hired in Washington.

Which, in hindsight, doesn't seem to have been an issue, as the word is the Caps were focused on Trotz and only Trotz.

 

[Kin]

I mean, if Rutherford has someone in mind then odds are firing Bylsma earlier wouldn't have changed things. It's weird timing but not necessarily bad timing.

 

[bustaheims]

I mean, if Rutherford has someone in mind then odds are firing Bylsma earlier wouldn't have changed things. It's weird timing but not necessarily bad timing.

Except that Rutherford said it wasn't his decision. This was a decision that was made by ownership.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

Has Florida hired him yet?

 

[Kin]

Except that Rutherford said it wasn't his decision. This was a decision that was made by ownership.

Which, even if true as opposed to spin, doesn't fundamentally change things unless the point is that Bylsma is irreplaceable.

 

[hockeyfan1]

Rutherford met with Bylsma on Friday morning as part of an organization-wide shake-up. In addition to dismissing Bylsma, the Penguins promoted Jason Botterill to associate general manager, named Bill Guerin and Tom Fitzgerald assistant general The Penguins, meanwhile, plan to get their money's worth out of a man closer to the end of his career than the beginning. Rutherford allowed he will likely only be around "two or three years" and will serve as a mentor to his new staff, adding he will give Botterill and company "big roles with a lot to say."

Rutherford hopes to find Bylsma's replacement by the time free agency begins in July. Considering the talent at the top of the roster, the job will certainly be attractive. Finding the right fit, however, may be challenging.

While it's unlikely Rutherford will do much to mess with the core of Crosby, Malkin and defenceman Kris Letang, there are some serious depth issues, particularly along the bottom two lines.

http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/57222-Penguins-fire-coach-Dan-Bylsma-hire-Jim-Rutherford-as-general-manager.html