So far, so good - 3-24-09
Whenever a franchise makes a coaching change mid-season, its done presumably because the team isn't performing to the level management expects. Ideally, a new coach will bring better results.
The Penguins have made nine such changes in their history all with varying degrees of success. Three of of those changes have actually led to the team having a poorer record.
Dan Bylsma's (above) tenure with the Penguins has been the exact opposite so far. In fact, to this point, he's been the best in-season coaching change in the mixed history of the franchise based on point percentages:
| Season | First Coach Second Coach |
Records | Points | Point Percentages |
| 1972-73 | Red Kelly Ken Schinkel |
17-19-6 15-18-3 |
40 33 |
.476 .458 |
| 1973-74 | Ken Schinkel Marc Boileau |
14-31-5 15-10-4 |
33 32 |
.333 .571 |
| 1975-76 | Marc Boileau Ken Schinkel |
15-23-5 20-10-7 |
35 47 |
.406 .635 |
| 1989-90 | Gene Ubriaco Craig Patrick |
10-14-2 22-26-6 |
22 50 |
.423 .463 |
| 1996-97 | Ed Johnston Craig Patrick |
31-26-5 7-10-3 |
67 17 |
.540 .425 |
| 1999-2000 | Kevin Constantine Herb Brooks |
8-14-3 29-23-5 |
23 65 |
.460 .570 |
| 2001-02 | Ivan Hlinka Rick Kehoe |
0-4-0 28-37-8 |
0 69 |
.000 .442 |
| 2005-06 | Ed Olczyk Michel Therrien |
8-17-6 14-29-8 |
22 36 |
.355 .353 |
| 2008-09 | Michel Therrien Dan Bylsma |
27-25-5 12-2-3 |
59 27 |
.518 .794 |
Granted, Bylsma has had the benefit of adding two first-line caliber forwards at roughly the same time he took over the team, but his stewardship has been a phenomonal success thus far.
Does this guarantee Bylsma a job heading into next season? That question is probably still in the process of being answered, but Bylsma is accomplishing things no other replacement coach has ever done in the history of the Penguins.
(Photo: Keith Srakocic/Associated Press)