In those runs, we have beaten great teams.
The Rangers were the class of the East when we beat them in '15.
The Bruins were a popular Cup pick this season and we took them down in 5.
I think a lot of people are underestimating just how hard it is to win a Cup. Coaches get fired for losing in the second round every year with a stacked team (e.g. Trotz's reputation before this season). They don't often get fired after 3 deep runs in 4 years.
Obviously, we look like **** right now. But all it takes is 2 bad games for everyone to turn in to Chicken Little around here. I'm not saying Cooper isn't to blame - but I think his issues are exaggerated around here when our team plays poorly, and I think a lot of people on the fire Cooper train will be very disappointed this summer.
My only doubt about fire or not Cooper is that, imho, there're not too many good coaches available.
I mean...Vigneault, Therrien, Sutter, Johnston (xD xD) are not amazing solutions.
Btw I don't agree too much with you: the Bruins were a good team, without any doubt...also the Rangers were.
But both of them were not as good as the biggest team we met.
It's unacceptable to play an ECF series in that way, btw. Cause the coaching staff could train a roster that is complete and ready to win.
If the staff is not able to do that, "bye bye".
I know it's hard to win a Cup. But I'm familiar (unfortunately for me) with another sport: soccer.
Consider the Real Madrid football club, one of the greatest soccer team in the world. If Madrid manager won't win the Champions League, I'm sure that he'll fired. And, now, I want to do the same with Tampa, only because I consider our roster, more or less, like the Real Madrid one. One of the best in the world.
In the end...I can accept that the result is not the only important thing. But if our team cannot compete to win (and playing like these 2 days we're not competitive)...I think it's a problem.