Re: 2013 NHL Season
I don't think you're wrong. I think putting the blame at Bylsma's feet is wrong though.
I watched the games and I saw a coach who had no control of his team. It was clear that the bench boss is Crosby and not Blysma. When your coach loses his troops, he is at fault. When your team plays undisciplined hockey and takes bad penalties (better example is the Philadelphia series of last year), you're at fault. When Crosby doesn't play, the team is completely different. This doesn't mean they can't win with him. They won a Cup with No. 87 healthy, but they live and die by him. So when he's playing like **** and looking frustrated, they fall in line. Watch the games to know what I mean. In the end, the coach needs to make certain that his troops get behind him, and if Sid is off... that the rest of the team has to be more on... take up the slack.
When your GM hands you the keys of a Ferrari and you don't know how to handle it, well, it would be the GM's fault (lol), but you know where I am going with this... Shero gave him everything... Needed a shutdown dman? Check. Another solid face off centerman? Check. Need another quality top-six winger? Check! Need a sandpaper like player who is strong along the boards? Check! Sometimes coaches lose their team. Disco Dan hasn't had any real success for a few years now. When your team is the favorite Cup winner going in and it gets taken out in 4 games, and scores 2 goals in 4 games, and is often caught with its players in the sin bin... well, blame has to be directed somewhere. Can't fire the core players.
Keep in mind, this is the team he had... 3 captains. 3 former scoring champs. One did it this past year, the other would have followed up with another this season if it weren't for a freak injury, 5 ex-30 goal scorers, a Norris candidate defenseman, and two starter quality goalies.... yeah, I get that it's also on Crosby and his team, but your coach should be the ring leader. Not some superstar.
How many playoff failures does a Cup contending team have to endure before you say, enough? Many coaches don't get the run he has with the lack of success in the past 4 years since removed from a Cup win... Also add, with the talent he has to work with... on paper you expect more than a sweep in the ECF. 2 goals in 4 games. FFS...
This. SAME senario in Vancouver, Coach V. was not to blame, but made the scape-goat. The Canucks demise is ALL on the GM--Gillis.
Great analysis.
