Let's talk about the 2008-09 Pittsburgh Penguins.
Now, by no means am I saying the 2015-16 Calgary Flames are the Stanley Cup Champion Pittsburgh Penguins. They aren't even remotely close. It's laughable to compare the Flames in their recent or current states to any Cup contender.
But the Penguins did something in their 2008-09 season, before they won the Cup - before they even made the playoffs.
They fired their coach.
On Feb. 15, 2009, the Penguins were sitting 10th place in the eastern conference, five points out of a playoff spot. They were closer to the bottom of the division - 21 points - than the top - 27 away.