Maybe it’s cloud-shouting, but I will continue to think that the organization’s poor/lack of communication with the fans (from both Lavi and Drury) is at least part of the problem. All indications (both through actions and reports) are that Drury blames the players more than the coaches. We hear Laviolette say “the execution isn’t there, but the answers are in the room.” At a certain point you just have to be honest and call people out. Like, “I didn’t think Mika was hounding the puck enough, so he’s going to sit for a game.”
It seems like that immediate communication of expectations/accountability isn’t happening. I’m not sure if it’s Lavi not wanting to embarrass the players and lose the room or Drury giving him a dictum not to for the optics.
But, guess what, that’s what’s happening anyway. Guys are getting embarrassed and the organization—whether it’s Lavi or Drury, or both—has lost the room. Because the media is communicating for the organization. And then, in place of clearly communicated accountability, we get Drury’s “ruthless” side (eg. forcing Trouba to waive, etc). I have a feeling the players would actually respond better to the clarity of a specific call out. And then, if the response is poor, then you make the roster move and it doesn’t even have to look ruthless. It’s more just like, “we’re trying to be a team that’s quick on the puck, and you’re not. Sorry. You’d be a better fit for…um…Buffalo. Or the waiver wire.”