So AV is the reason they made it to the ECF x 2 and SCF x1, but now that the team is garbage, it's the players?
The way it looks from my perspective is that the under-performing players are illuminating many of the underlying flaws in AV's system and roster decisions. Things that were previously masked by the excellent performance, and in some cases over-achievement, of certain players.
Henrik Lundqvist was able to mask and overcome the flaws of Tort's collapse defense for an entire season and carry a very underwhelming team to the ECF almost single-handedly.
AV is accountable. His system is accountable. His staff is accountable.
Who said that the coach is the only reason they made it that far? Thats nonsense. To reach the conference finals, you need players to overachieve. You need excellent performances.
Of course Henrik hasn't been himself and its no surprise the wins are hard to come by. You could go down the line and rattle off how many players are underachieving this year. Its a struggle.
Of course the coaches and his system have to be held responsible - but we are talking about lines here are we not? Line combinations get too much attention in the NHL. If the players are in the right spots and are doing their jobs its seldom ever an issue. This isn't EA NHL on Xbox.
Could he make adjustments, absolutely. Could he try every combination until they work - sure. He could throw out the exact combos that each and every one of us would like to see and you know what- they would still struggle. Its about individual performance and if each player is doing what they are asked of. (especially down the middle)
Kevin Hayes looked like a sure-fire 2nd line player last season, doing everything imaginable with the puck, showed the coaching staff that he could be a very important cog in the system. They bought into him... Didnt we all? Kris Kreider stretched the play and used his speed effectively to help the system as well. Thats gone. The defense is another issue all together.
Its more about adjusting the system than adjusting the lines at this point - which is a completely different subject. but do you really want to do that after less than 1/2 season removed from making the conference finals and winning a presidents trophy with basically the same set of players? Cmon.
Line combos only come up when the team sucks. The TEAM sucks right now. Including the coach, the GM. Everyone is accountable. But if you ask me who is the most responsible for this mess right now, its the players.