Dan Bylsma’s stock has taken a hit around the league and many in league circles question whether there’s going to be a head coaching job waiting for him this summer if the Penguins eventually fire him next month, which is not certain.
With Pat Brisson declining the job and no clear front runner going into interviews, it will likely be a couple weeks before the Penguins hire a new GM.
Last summer Bylsma would have been in high demand and if Bylsma had been fired, the New York Rangers were prepared to hire him over any candidate including Alain Vigneault.
This summer there’s no particular organization strongly monitoring his situation like the Rangers were in the immediate days after the Penguins were ousted by the Bruins last summer.
NHL sources say Bylsma will not be a candidate in Vancouver and he is not believed to be on Ron Francis wishlist in Carolina.
There’s lots of talk that the Hurricanes are looking to hire a coach for under $875,000.
Boston’s Don Sweeney and Nashville’s Paul Fenton are the favorites to land the Washington Capitals GM job, though, Ray Shero is expected to interview.
Those close to Shero say the belief is that Shero would likely go in another direction for a head coach if he gets the job and it’s still possible the Capitals will hire a head coach before the GM anyways.
The one team right now where there’s buzz surrounding Bylsma is the Florida Panthers. Dale Taillon seeks an established veteran coach and if Barry Trotz goes to Washington or Vancouver, where he is also their top target, some feel Bylsma could get a strong look.