I think Lou brought Shero in to outlast him. If Lou wanted a puppet that he could fire in 2 years and say to the owners see I told you so, I think it would have been somebody much less experienced. Again, just my own opinions.
You and I seem to be on the exact same page, paragraph and word for that matter on this issue. I don't get why it is such a rare stance to take honestly. Lou pulls surprise rabbits out of his hat regularly - not sure why this is any different.
Lou was close the end of his tenure regardless and ownership wanted to move the same direction just maybe faster. The arrows were all pointing in the same direction, it was just a matter of timing and who. That's nuance, not scandal. If Lou suddenly departs for another job in the NHL then I'll buy the big coup theory but I see this timing out as him staying on as President another 2 seasons and finally retiring for good with things in good hands or seeing the entire staff axed by ownership and players sold off in a complete overhaul in which case he was leaving anyways.
There are so many scenarios that aren't divisive or even combative in nature;
Lou had made it known he was planning on grooming someone for a couple of years before leaving the organization and ownership was just fine with that because it perfectly fit their desire to have a transition plan in progress. Here we are - just faster.
Or Lou had planned to bring Marty back this year and the ownership felt it was better to have an entirely new face transition into the role. Here we are.
Or Lou simply hadn't expected Shero to be available and ditched his original plan of grooming someone (like Marty maybe) and had to jump while the timing was right and best for the organization. Here we are - unexpectedly. And this jives very well with Lou's own words and reports about talking to Shero before the season was even over.
Countless others that lead logically right to here.
The need for drama these days is unreal. If this was a full blown push aside, the entire staff would be getting retooled and Lou would not still be President with Shero reporting to him. He would have gotten the "Special Projects" label of advisor to the GM or some other dubious title and not be seen or heard from again outside special events.
Plus Lou is smart enough to know he can't hire a coach then step aside and have another GM inherit his decisions and not have both of them be 2nd guessed with the chicken and egg syndrome.
something something... Hanlon's razor if nothing else.
