Let's consider the possibly that the recent slide continues and the Lightning either get embarrassed in the playoffs again this year or miss it completely.
Given the bi-polar relationship Tampa fans have towards Yzerman (I know nobody admits it now since "Yzelam and Yzerology" is popular) but the fact was there were a majority of people calling for Yzerman to be fired early in 2013 to Sept 2013.
So if things continue to go south, it's not hard to envision the band wagon will be to fire Yzerman.
Would you be on board?
This is the case for firing Yzerman.
1. If this year doesn't turn around, he is 0-2 with picking coaches. Both Boucher and Cooper got a lot of praise early, but they appear to be questionable choices by Yzerman.
2. His inability to solve the goaltending issue. First there was the SmEllis debacle, which was temporarily solved by Roloson, than the failure of extending Roloson a year too long, then the Lindback debacle as the "next one", it was solved by the Bishop trade who could have been had off waivers earlier.
Yzerman appears to potentially further screw up the goalie situation by signing Nabakov who lets be honest, has flat out stunk while we have 2 goalies in the AHL who give the team a better chance to win. But thanks to Yzerman's horrible signing, when Bishop comes back from injury, Vasi is going back down. Will those 2 have their development ruined by not being given a chance at the right time?
Also, it is quite easy to envision that the Bishop contract will be hanging over this team's head soon. If Nabby were to disappear and Bishop's injury woes were to continue (Bishop has not been as good this year as he was last year) and Vasi continued his strong play, then what? Vasi is relegated to the bench because of Yzerman's contract and commitment to Bishop?
3. Yzerman's failure in the first round of the draft. I know some will disagree, but there comes a time people where you have to call a goat a goat. I swear that Brett Connoly will be a 34 year old still doing nothing and some of you will be yelling "You can't call him a bust, he's only 34! Wait until next year!
Seriously, it's a fact that most of Yzerman's first round selections are not as good as players who were drafted in a similar spot or behind them.
Connolly is a hindrance. We see how this team is being hurt by the organization's desperation for him to prove he's not a bust.
Slater Koekkoek still not on the horizon for cracking the NHL line up despite his peers emerging as stars.
And then there's Jonathan Drouin. One year gone already. This year being used as a bit part. Sure you can blame Cooper for not giving him a shot, but who put Cooper in charge? Yzerman.
4. There's the albatross that is Matt Carle's contract.
5. Yzerman's ego. Whether you blame the other party or not, Yzerman alienated MSL and the Lightnings all time greats bolted solely because of Yzerman. It also has obviously damaged Stamkos, as both his play and his attitude of "I miss Marty so much". If the Stamkos contract negotiations turn ugly, will you be willing to throw Yzerman overboard for Stamkos?
6. Yzerman's penchant for hiring his buddies for roles in the Lightning organization. Steve Thomas? Pat Verbeek? The most qualified guys for the job or simply buddies with Stevie?
Sure there's been some good later round picks but every team gets lucky with a few.
So what do you say? Six months from now will Yzerman get the axe?