They were 13-9-8, good for 16th overall, and 10th in the west, between the hiring of Sutter and Carter. Which, was slightly better than the 14-13-4, 20th overall, and 11th in the West that they were when they were considered contenders and ready to win at the start of the season. 17th overall, 10th in the West, the day they got Carter.
All I know is that the grand plan, up to that point, wasn't working. I doubt, at the time, we would've said it was working. No not only will they be fine, but they'll run through the playoff competition like nobody has ever done before. This was before the Kings truly made corsi and fenwick and all that really mean something. Through 61 games, they were last overall in GF. 3rd in GA, but a -3 overall. Even when Sutter was all about the goal differential, not the total GF, they were still mediocre. 75% of the way through the year, the year they were supposed to be a contender from day 1.