Pittsburgh Penguins give Dan Bylsma, assistant coaches two-year extensions
By Larry Snyder
Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Ray Shero announced Wednesday morning that head coach Dan Bylsma and assistants Tony Granato and Todd Reirden have been given two-year contract extensions.
Jun 5, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins head coach Dan Bylsma watches the action from the bench during the third period in game four of the Eastern Conference finals of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Boston Bruins at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
Bylsma has led the Pens to three-straight 100-point seasons and four consecutive playoff berths, while becoming the winningest playoff coach in team history with 28 postseason victories and five playoff series victories, which ties him with Scotty Bowman. Bylsma has the best regular-season winning percentage (.655) in team history with an all-time record of 165-81-25. His 165 wins are the second most in team history after Eddie Johnston with 232.
Following Ray Shero’s press conference, Dan Bylsma spoke with the press and said this: “In terms of me going forward, my resolve and confidence in my ability being coach of this team has strengthened in past 36-48 hours.”
From The Clipboard: Penguins goaltending coach Gilles Meloche has submitted his resignation this week. Meloche has been the goaltending coach for the past seven seasons and has spent a total of 27 seasons with the Penguins organization.
Wanting to spend more time in his native Montreal with his family, Meloche is expected to take another role as a part-time scout with the Black and Gold.
Mike Bales, 40, is rumored to be a leading candidate to replace Meloche. He has spent the past two seasons as the goaltending coach of the Penguins’ AHL affiliate, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.
Quotes: Ray Shero on Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang, who each have one year left on their contracts: “They are both under contract for next year. They are not going anywhere.” On Marc-Andre Fleury: “I am not getting rid of Marc-Andre Fleury. My faith in Marc-Andre Fleury has not waned.” On the Tomas Vokoun/Fleury tandem: “We have two really good goaltenders. That is a positive for us. I look forward to them coming back and winning games.”