New Jersey Devils: 5 Candidates to Replace Andrew Brunette
Dan Bylsma
In the position that they’re in, the Devils likely want to add a coach with a track record of some success. GM Tom Fitzgerald might know a guy who could be interested in returning to the NHL – Dan Bylsma. Remember him?
Bylsma’s last appearance as an NHL coach was way back in the 2016-17 season with the Buffalo Sabres. At that time, Bylsma was coaching a Sabres team with a 19-year-old Jack Eichel, Ryan O’Reilly, Sam Reinhart, Rasmus Ristolainen, Robin Lehner, and Linus Ullmark. The team had a decent spine, but the rest of the bones were pretty bare. Ask the Philadelphia Flyers how having Rasmus Ristolainen as their number-one defenseman is going.
Coachella Valley played keep-a-way from Milwaukee before developing a play which led to Andrew Poturalski scoring a goal.
— Elaine Shircliff (@imaraindancer) May 26, 2023
Firebirds lead the Admirals 4-3 with 11:51 to play in the game. #LetsFlyy #MILHockey @FPC_AHL pic.twitter.com/Chtkn75AfB
Dan Bylsma joined the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2009, the same year Tom Fitzgerald was promoted. Bylsma’s hire yielded a Stanley Cup championship immediately. With the Penguins, Bylsma guided the team to the playoffs every season and only lost in the first round twice in six seasons. Obviously, things didn’t work out in Buffalo, especially with Jack Eichel. Bylsma has since bounced around with the Detroit Red Wings and Seattle Kraken as an assistant in their organizations. Last summer, the Kraken made Bylsma the head coach of their AHL affiliate Coachella Valley Firebirds. Bylsma is now coaching the likes of Shane Wright in the Western Conference Finals of the 2023 Calder Cup playoffs.
While there are risks involved, Bylsma and Lindy Ruff would at least provide experience and steadiness behind the Devils’ bench.