There's a difference between "losing the room" and not being universally loved by players. Steve Shutt said of Scotty Bowman "You hated him 364 days years, and on the 365th day you got your Stanley Cup ring." There are some players who didn't like Babcock in Detroit, yet Toronto thinks he's their golden ticket. Being too much of a buddy is going to get a coach walked over.
I think Bob has adapted since his earlier incarnation as an NHL coach and he may get on guys, but I don't think he's some Mike Keenan who picks a whipping boy and scapegoats him no matter what he does. Bob is not going to let guys put in a lame effort like they did on opening night and smile and pretend everything is wonderful--in the end I don't think players find that unfair.
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