I think you are giving Stevens credit where it should go mostly to Blake and Luc. The Kings were being a very slow team and by getting rid of Greene King and Nolan and putting in Iafallo Kempe Amadio we got a ton faster which is helped the bounce back Sutter had clearly lost the room Hell he even was locked out of the locker room once between periods. I think the kings would have improved with me behind the bench and i have never coachedAs much as i would like to say different most king fans knew this was going to be a evaluation of just how much of a effect Sutter had on the team and clearly it was a lot. Seriously with healthy seasons from both quick and kopitar how could they not improve. Yes we improved with Stevens however i believe with a more motivating coach we would have improved more. This team needs more from its supporting cast and stevens doesn't seem to be able to get it.
Every coach is evaluated on the performance of the team vs the expectation of the team, factoring in serious long term injuries.
Of the teams missing the playoffs, a lot have 1st year HC and I doubt the GM would can them. GMs today, unless they have some type of track record, won't get to fire 2 HC. Because, if the 2nd HC needs to be fired, then the GM is likely gone as well. So, GMs are going to save it for as long as they can to buy themselves more time.
AZ - Tochette is safe, 1st year guy
VAN - Green is safe, 1st year guy
EDM - McClellend is likely fired
CHI - Q is likely fired. Might be time for a change at the top. Not much different than say the Seahawks of the NFL, where the vet D core either needed a new HC or needed to get shipped out. Seattle keeping the HC and moving out the D. Chicago doesn't have that luxury to move their vets out due to their guaranteed contracts and cap hits.
CAL - GG is on shaky ground. Missed expectations. Burke and Tree probably prefer to keep him, so will try to make trades to shake up the roster. Failing that, might need to can the coach.
DAL - Hitch should be gone. Was only a temp solution to fix the D structure.
Of the 4 teams fighting for the final 3 spots:
COL/LA/ANA/STL - I think Col - Bednar and LA - Stevens are safe. Colorado took a huge step so even if they miss, he stays. LA, Stevens is in his first season.
Ana - Carlyle gone if they miss despite the injuries to the D and Kesler/Getlaf. And even if they make the playoffs, but go down within 5 games, he could get canned too.
STL - Yeo gone too if they miss, despite selling at the TDL. Same as Carlyle. If they get beat within 5 games or less, he's gone too.
Nash, Win, Vegas, SJ coaches should be fine. DeBoer is the shakiest if they go out again in round 1.
Minnesota - Boudreau gone if they go down in round 1 despite the tough matchup.
In the East -
BUF - Housely in year 1 and with rookie GM. He stays.
OTT - Can go either way.
DET - Holland is loyal and will keep JB during their rebuild if he can. Knows the roster needs to get turned over. Maybe finally accepts a rebuild.
MON - GM and HC could both be gone. Failed expectations, however, their expectations are unrealistic given their roster. Owner needs to really listen to GM candidates on their assessment of the roster. Can't just hire guys who promise a quick turnaround.
NYR - AV probably goes with the change in direction of the team
NYI - Weight, the defensive structure is really poor, that's on coaching
CAR - Peters is gone, with a new GM coming in.
FLA - BB is safe after year 1.
NJD - Hynes is safe with their turnaround season.
PHI - Don't see Hextall making a change in Hakstol.
WAS - Trotz is gone unless they get to final 4 minimum
CBS - Torts might need a 1st round win to be safe.
Don't think anyone else is on thin ice. TB with Cooper could be fired if the Bolts go down in round 1, but barring that, if they fall to Boston in round 2, it shouldn't result in a firing.
