Yep. Adams may be saying things about how the team went, but it was clear early and often that there were issues that fall within his ability to fix. It's like Fitzgerald in Jersey sacking Ruff and then turning around to acquire goalies - he had the means at hand all along to make a move and chose for some reason not to.
And they let the players think they could do something about it. "You got the coach fired because you did not work hard enough." Hard work needs to pay off, not lead to frustration. That's where the coaching put them. Slow start? Players need to be accountable. Last-place power play? You didn't execute. Maybe they need them to think that because there is a kernel of truth.
I know I am fence-sitting here, but everyone regressed and the system was a big part of that. There were some players that I felt should have transcended the system, like Thompson and Tuch, for example: despite the injuries and smothering defensive schemes. I also wanted to see guys feeling a little more accountable for getting the coach fired - but they mainly paid lip service. There were certainly points they left on the table because they just didn't show up at times, but I think deep down they know they were not being put in the best position to succeed by a mis-guided coach.
But big picture, changing coaches was a big part of what needed to happen. You could not fairly evaluate these players under that old system.
