Penguins/NHL
The sense around the league is that Dan Bylsma is good as gone as Penguins head coach. Not so fast if Penguins GM Ray Shero is able to have anything to do about it, which he might not at the end of the day. While ownership reportedly favors firing Bylsma, Shero who is expected to meet with team officials as early as Thursday regarding his own job security, is said to strongly favor retaining Bylsma, believing he hasn’t the lost room, but is expected to propose to ownership “significant” changes to the coaching staff around Bylsma, multiple sources said.
A source said one recommendation is expected to center around firing key assistant Todd Reirden and potentially Tony Granato, making Jacques Martin, Bylsma’s top assistant and give him a more clear role with the staff.
Martin often felt undermined by Bylsma as Bylsma always leaned on his right hand man Granato.
Sources say Shero eyes a new voice and new approach when it comes to the primary assistant coach working with the defensemen.
Shero’s recommendations are unlikely to sway ownership away from their expected decision of firing Bylsma, though, Shero is said to still have a key supporter in Mario Lemieux but having Lemieux somewhat in his corner might still not be enough to save his own job as things with Shero are said to be 50-50 right now.
Co-owner Ron Burkle and Team President David Morehouse are said to favor a complete overhaul of the coaching staff, management, and that includes terminating Shero’s contract, but those close to the situation contend it will likely be Lemieux’s call which could save Shero.
The Penguins player exit meetings are tomorrow morning.
