I think Torts is a good coach. A great coach even,
I think this team is pretty good on paper. Or at least it should have been. There is talent all over it. The lack of talent at center is a massive red flag, but there is no reason this team shouldn't be competitive for a playoff spot.
There is a clear disconnect between the two. And I think a change is inevitable. I don't think his philosophies and the ability of the players matches up anymore. Especially defensively.
That's where I'll disagee.
Laine, Atkinson and Roslivic are solid top 6ers. The rest of the forwards are 3rd liners and fillers. Most of Jarmo's draft picks just aren't that good. Stenlund, whose tires have been pumped quite a bit on this board of late, is a 24 year old with 21 goals in 99 career AHL games-hardly the numbers of an NHL top 6er.
On defense, Seth Jones and Werenski are living off of old clippings-they're not all that good this year. Jones is in year 8 of his NHL career and has likely peaked. Predictions of him as a Norris contender are a pipe dream at this point. Z has been injured and I expect Z to become an offensive force again.
The rest of the D is either in decline (Savard) or serviceable for the most part.
Korpisalo's overall performance this year has been poor but he's probably a decent goalie and Elvis is probably a solid NHL netminder.
It's a very mediocre roster. Does anyone really expect this team to be competitive with Tampa, Toronto (ironic the first two are the playoff wins!),Carolina, Washington, Boston, Vegas or Colorado? This is a middling roster where everything needs to click for it to make the playoffs.
That being said, coaches are hired to be fired. Torts is the 4th most senior NHL coach. He's probably on the chopping block if things don't turn around. But the CBJ aren't the Blues of a few years ago. A coaching change is not going to unleash that Champion within. I hope things turn around and Torts at least gets to coach out the year. The problem of the CBJ is in the executive suite and it's time for a GM change. Jarmo's reign is in year 9 and the overall results and current performance dictate a change in the overall direction of the organization. I'd welcome his dismissal.