Reason Stevens would be fired is that our team is a playoff team, ]with a healthy quick and new direction, if they miss the playoffs, he'd be fired.
Based on what? A playoff team is a team that makes the playoffs. This team has been underachieving for the last 3 yrs. One playoff appearance/win in 3 yrs isn't good, isn't elite and doesn't deserve to live off it's reputation. And given the talent in the Central, finishing 4th is not a guarantee you are in the playoffs. And right now, I can't see them finishing 4th.
Even with an upthrust in offense I expect from TT and TP, don't forget they are transitioning to a new system, so they will be giving up more scoring chances, and there are very few gimme games in todays league. Last year, 4 teams in the Metro finished with over 100 pts. And that could happen in the Central or Pacific this year. If a team doesn't get off to strong start, it's just that tough to catch up.
Doughty aside, they have an aging core and a bottom 6 that needs to step it up. Quick a very talented goaltender, but his career GAA(2.26 range) mirrors his last 3 yrs and it's not top 5 in the NHL anymore. He also had a team playing a stifling defense in front of him, Stevens system will be different and you have rookie d potentially.
Kopitar said post firing/hiring (La kings insider) he wasn't going to change his style to be more offensive, that being a good 2 way player is what he feels is important. And if he's going against to the top lines, and there are some very talented ones in the Conf and League , that 25 second shift, he's not in the same position as a #1 C who is a scoring forward first. But I'm hoping in training camp, when the new system in implemented, he will get some wind in his sails and change his staid ways.
I think Blake and Luc know exactly who this team is and who their competition is. I think they'd like to upgrade w/o making a costly error. And undoing DL's errors and replenishing the farm isn't going to happen overnight. they are going in the right direction and have drafted well this year, and over the next few years, they'll continue that pattern and the crops will flourish again.
And I don't think Stevens gets fired if they miss, depending on how they play. He has the tools he inherited, and firing him wouldn't be the answer. Team has to look in the mirror if it fails this year. I don't think either Blake or luc is that shortsighted.
But it all depends on that first 7 weeks, that run to Thanksgiving. Usually a new coach/system creates an adjustment period of about 2 months. Now most of the Kings know Stevens, so that helps, but some of the kids don't and it's still them adjusting to the NHL.
