Some of this is on Larkin unfortunately.
Got his huge contract last year. Lost his child middle of last year. Lost playoff fight while he was out of the lineup.
His "giving a F" seems to be at an all time low. Entire season so far he has not been vocal on the ice. Not creative. Not inspired. Watch the last presser and he says "disconnected" about 300 times.
Maybe this is due to Newsy losing the room, but IMO Larks seems to have given up fighting through/against all that. Got his paycheck. Got his problems at home. Why beat your head against a wall for an idiot coach and coasters like Kane? He's probably already accepted the season is shot.
Day 1 for Mclellan needs to be a 1 on 1 with Dylan to sell him the plan and reinspire him. Without Larkin on 100%, this team 100% has no chance.
Day 2 for Todd needs to be grabbing Kaner by the balls. Literally. While he winces: "start playing with these or I promise I will staple them to the fuqqing bench, idgaf how many awards they won 8 fuqqing years ago"
The problem with Derek was a continuation of the same problem we had with Blash: The infamous players coach. No real cultural change happened. We're still "connecting" with players to "inspire" a process of winning. Miss us wit dat rainbow sheit. Do your job or gtfo.
I foresee much more change coming. Steve has committed to Todd for multiple years, this isnt an interim gig. Jan-Feb will be an evaluation period for Mcllellan. Taking inventory. Those he doesn't like or want will be offered to Stephen as tradeable assets. Deals involving Ras and Veleno will probably be explored. Kane and Gustafsson are most likely done in Detroit one way or another.
Yawney is most likely here as Todds confidant and second set of eyes on Tanguay, Varaday, and Westlund. I can see 1 or all 3 removed as coaches at seasons end.
Lastly, the elephant in the room is Chris Yzerman. It's been rumored SY leans on him for proscouting since their days in Tampa. But Gustafsson, Holl, Tarasenko, Petry have been horrible evaluations/additions... we have not had a director of pro scouting since the retirement of Mark Howe. Chris seemed in line for that position, until recently. He's probably not going to be fired because of his last name, but someone likely needs to be installed ahead of him as director and SY's new right hand in proscouting. TBL poached Pushor and Routa off of our staff. Time for SY to clap back and bring someone he trusts from their over. Thinking Al Murray, who currently serves as senior advisor to Brisebois. Hand him the pro scouting dept and make him the 4th AGM if necessary.