Something I've been thinking lately and it could/likely be complete BS is that for all these guys on the team who have admitted that they like playing for a hard coach(Z, Gaudreau, Laine) what those guys think about playing for a rookie coach. Yeah he's been around for awhile but they've been in the NHL longer than he has.Very unlikely I think. If it was because of the coach then you wouldn't have seen Laine and the Jackets mutually agree to seek a trade. They would have waited at least until the coaching situation is resolved.
In any case the Jackets need a fresh start from Laine as much as he needs a fresh start from them.
Any time they trying to implement something that doesn't work, or are unsure of themselves or ever second guess themselves in front of those guys, they pick up on it. And once players start losing faith in a coach it's over.
But if you've brought in a coach like Torts for example, who has a proven track record, those guys instead of second guessing wtf their coach is doing, they are more willing to do what they are being told and go that extra as their coach has more experience and knowledge then themselves.