i would think Eakins needs a competent staff around him. It is one thing i have felt since he decided to keep everyone around. To me Kreuger, as others have stated, was a good systems guy and what you would want from an assistant coach. It would not be good to demote a coach so a clean break is fine, and best, but Eakins really needs a better staff around him.
I dont think Eakins is the problem. Ever since the Eakins hiring... i have felt MacT wished he had had control before Kreugers placement. There was something he said in the interviews that led me to believe MacT never thought Kreuger was a head coach but that was the organizations fault and not Ralphs. From my point of view the handling of Kreuger was intelligent. ou cant demote the guy and have him work under another coach...ESPECIALLY A ROOKIE NHL Head coach he can perhaps undermine out of spite. It wouldnt be healthy to ANYONE.
I think the organization better, or Eakins better, start looking for better assistants who can do what assistants are supposed to do; take their units and bond and coddle while imlementing the systems plays of head coach, focussing solely on their responsibilities.