I don't buy it.
The Sabres finished dead-last in 2017-18, with 62 points, 35 points out of a playoff spot. The average points earned by the 8th place EC team over the past 5 years is 96. Please name me the mythical "good coach" who would have produced a 34 point improvement with the current roster.
In all likelihood, the Sabres will finish at least 20+ points better than last season. That's excellent progress, and I suspect almost everyone on HF Sabres would have been quite satisfied with that result if asked in early October. (I couldn't find a relevant poll.)
Please note - this is not a defense of Phil. He was a poor choice, hired at least in part due to the foolish sentimentality of the owner. The team should be in more capable hands; I think most of us agree on that.
But the guy is being unfairly scapegoated. This team has 3 genuine top-6 forwards. Our defense is capable, but not exactly the late-70s Canadiens. The goaltending is maddeningly inconsistent. This is not a playoff team under Scotty Bowman, let alone Phil Housley.