Quote:
Originally Posted by Red Slinger
This was inevitable. Every coach has a shelf life, particularly one who can be as driving as Sutter.
He is a good coach who squeezes everything out of his players but I think the Oilers figured out how to play against his system in last years playoffs and many teams did the same this year. So, while a lot of underlying stats looked good the results weren't there. Even so, with league average goaltending the team would comfortably be in the playoffs.
This is a great opportunity to change the dynamic of this team from "do anything to get into the playoffs" to "build a team to win the Cup". It starts with getting the right GM and then the right coach. So, this is a step in the right direction but it will mean nothing if the next GM and/or coach aren't up to the task.
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The opposing coaches figured out Sutter and outcoached him because they knew that whenever faced with adversity, he was going to put out his Kings and 4th liners.