They lost 5-1 in their first game on Saturday night against the Boston Bruins. Despite this and the sense of urgency already setting in, Sheldon Keefe, their head coach, decided to hold an optional practice the next day.
With such a drubbing, one would expect all the players to be on the ice. They are proud athletes who don't accept defeat, normally.
It's not surprising that this team can't get anywhere in the playoffs. The talent is there, but clearly, the effort is not.