Penguins/NHL
LATEST NHL BUZZ If the Penguins have another playoff collapse this spring, NHL executives are already floating around potential candidates for the Penguins and top landing spots for Dan Bylsma.
One scenario making the rounds today is former Nashville Predators coach Barry Trotz ending up in Pittsburgh and Dan Bylsma ending up in Nashville.
It is certainly something that wouldn’t be a shock if Ray Shero’s hands are tied and ownership forces a coaching change which is what it would have to come to.
Trotz one of the NHL’s most underrated coaches, has ties to Shero and I can’t find anyone around the league in the past couple hours who doesn’t think Trotz would be a strong candidate in Pittsburgh.
As for Bylsma, he would have his pick of a next destination like he would have had last summer when the Rangers were ready to hand him the job if he got fired after the Eastern Conference Finals. In fact one Western Conference team that is now expected to have an opening this summer, was prepared to fire their coach last summer if Bylsma became available.
One NHL source on Predators GM David Poile and Dan Bylsma. “David thinks the world of him {Dan Bylsma}. That’s the type of coach he will covet. David wants to open the offense up…..He’s going to be patient and see what’s out there.”
Could Nashville afford Bylsma? That would be the million dollar question if the Penguins opted for a change behind the bench. He is currently believed to be making around $2.25 million per season and is one of the NHL’s highest paid coaches.
