We should find out soon

The timing was right. If it was happenstance, I imagine he won’t have a tough time finding his next head coaching gig this off-season. If there’s a plan for him to eventually be the successor to the throne, then he’ll probably stay put and help with turning things around.

His resume does check virtually every box for an eventual successor. Even now he compliments the deficiencies/criticisms of the current staff well (coached high scoring offenses, developed elite top-5 NHL draft picks, etc).