I am optimistic as anyone on this board but this is the worst stretch of Rangers hockey I've seen in a long time. It's made far worse by the expectations going into this season, as well as the leaks to the media. But it's still very poor, uninspired, lifeless "zombie" hockey with only the younger players trying. My guess is Trouba went into camp with an entirely negative attitude, which spiraled things out of control. Once we hit some adversity instead of rallying they threw in the towel. The vets on this team (Trouba, and now namely Kreider and Mika) weren't/aren't helping matters and the kids are left floundering with no structure. Everyone has regressed, which in my view is caused by a coach who has lost the room, a pervasive negative attitude to the lack of organizational control of the situation, consistent failures by veterans who noticeably take up too much ice time, and a power vacuum of leadership. Perhaps this was inevitable.
At this point, in addition to doing whatever you can to get out of Mika's contract, you fire Lavi and see if the team rallies around a young coach Peca. If they don't, gut the foundation and acquire assets. I wouldn't be surprise if a coaching change is enough to spark this team, though. Sometimes that is enough of a difference to have players man up.