New York Islanders: 5 Potential Coaching Candidates

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PITTSBURGH, PA – APRIL 13: Head coach Dan Bylsma of the Pittsburgh Penguins addresses the media after the game against the Ottawa Senators at Consol Energy Center on April 13, 2014 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Senators defeated the Penguins 3-2 in a shootout. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

Dan Bylsma

Dan Bylsma was behind the bench when the Pittsburgh Penguins won the 2009 Stanley Cup Final. He would go on to coach six years in Pittsburgh and would finish with a .668 points percentage during his time there.

He then went on to coach for Buffalo but didn’t have as much success. He had a points percentage of .485 with a pretty bad team. The blame can’t be put on him, there was a lack of talent in Buffalo that he had to work with.

When the Rangers were looking for a coach apparently he wasn’t up for the job but the consensus was that he would eventually have a job in the NHL. He deserves another opportunity, and Lou Lamoriello can put him in a situation to be successful.

No matter who the Islanders hire, the team has to put the coach in a position where they could succeed. I think Bylsma would be a good candidate for that.

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If I had to rank my coaching options of who I want the most I think I’d go with Trotz, Bylsma, Keefe, Stevens, Vigneault in that order. For a change, with Lamoriello in charge, I’m fairly confident the Islanders can hire someone who gets the job done effectively.