Bylsma speaks in a Q&A about his job as Kraken coach and his return to the NHL

Bylsma will try to get the Kraken back to the Stanley Cup Playoffs in 2023, where they advanced for just the second season in their history. They were eliminated in the second round of the Western Conference by the Dallas Stars in seven games. Seattle missed the playoffs last season, which led to Dave Hakstol, their first coach, being fired on April 29.

“The players here have fully motivated me with their mindset, their personality, their drive and their desire to not only do their best, but also to make this team the best we can be as a group,” he said. “I used to be energized, but I'm even more energized because I met these guys, because I saw who they are and what they are and because I have the opportunity to see what we can become.”

Bylsma spoke with NHL.com this week about returning to coaching, his familiarity with the Kraken roster thanks to his time at Coachella Valley and Jessica Campbell becoming the first woman to become a full-time assistant coach in the NHL.

You mention that you are full of energy. Have you lost your desire to become a coach at any point in the past?

“Well, there have been times when, intentionally and sometimes not intentionally, I have changed my behavior a little bit towards the team, towards the group. I see this as a mistake now and I don’t want it to stay that way in the future.”

You mean that whatever you were feeling was coming towards her?

“Yes. I would say, by hook or by crook, sometimes the game can force you, you can be humiliated by the game and that can change your behavior. Sometimes I changed it of my own accord. I regret that the last two Years have reinvigorated my focus on what it means to be a head coach for both the individual and the player. This is how it will continue.”

Were there any coaching opportunities before Coachella Valley or did you walk away from them?

“I can’t misrepresent and say that there were opportunities that I said no to. That wasn't the case. There were opportunities that I didn't take full advantage of. That was the case.

“After Buffalo, I took a year off from coaching and was still deciding whether I wanted to return, and I credit Jeff Blashill (former Red Wings coach) with inviting me to come to the World Cup (with the United States men's team that year). 2017). ) and asked me to join the team in Detroit (in 2018) to remind myself what it means to be a coach and coach again. That was a big turning point for me personally and for my attitude as a coach. I took this year off. When Jeff invited me to take part in the World Championships, I jumped back in and that laid the foundation for my journey.”

You'll be coaching some of the players you've had in the Coachella Valley for the last season or two. How much does this familiarity help?

“I'm really grateful for the familiarity I've had over the last three years here in training camp with most of the guys that are here. I've talked to Jared McCann, at least since the beginning of the year for the last three years. Most of the guys, there are only a few who haven't been here for three years, and of course a few have come along. I know them a little, they know me a little. That helps a lot.

“Shane Wright and Tye Kartye and Riker Evans, Joey Daccord, it's really good for me to know them and believe in them, what they've done as players, how they've worked in the last few years, what successes they've had. I think that they know me too, that they know what I expect and that they can help drive the expectations for the players in some way. Gustav Olofsson had a great camp because he knew exactly what was expected of him, what he had to do, and he went out and did it.

“Shane Wright, I feel (about) the same way. He's a great player, he's going to be a great player. He did that last year in CV, but I think together there is a good feeling of security. He knows what I expect from him as a player and it's reassuring to know he can do it. He knows what the expectations are and he can go ahead and do it. If he does it, it means success for him as a player. He has undergone an enormous maturation process since the training camp two years ago. He’s the same guy, but he just has a lot more confidence as a person and as an individual and he shows it.”

You start the third season with Jessica Campbell on your team. How has she improved since her first visit to the Coachella Valley?

“I would just say that I manage to build a good rapport, respect and relationship with the players. To achieve this, one must have skills and knowledge to be able to convey it to them. Has she grown in this area or has she just proven over the course of two years that she is capable of it? She probably helped me the most with that.”

She said you told her over dinner with your wife, Mary Beth, that she had gotten the job as Kraken assistant trainer, and it was an emotional evening for her.

“Well, I mean, we had a lot of conversations, and she probably didn't know that she was being interviewed for a handful of those conversations when the season ended in CV. For a good two and a half weeks I didn't know that I would get the (octopus) job. So we had some conversations, and then we had some after I got the job that she probably didn't know were interviews. She probably should have done that (laughs).”

So what will it feel like to be back behind the bench after puck drop on Tuesday?

“I mean, I guess the clock will first strike at 1:30 (PT) on Tuesday, opening day, but even the friendlies were really good for me personally to be on the bench with the NHL guys . What the boys have shown me over the last 14 days has been really refreshing and very stimulating for me and I am excited to see what we can achieve as a team in the future.”