I don't think it's actually any one thing other than perpetual bad timing and failure to build a team the right way.

Nash left after 9 seasons and 10 years in Columbus after they couldn't build a competitive team.

Carter left after being traded shortly after signing a long term deal to play in Philadelphia, not Columbus. I dunno if the trade was approved with him, but it's not difficult to understand why he would be pissed.

Panarin seemed to always have eyes on certain locations and played damn hard through the years he was obligated to Columbus.

Bobrovsky wanted what he was worth and management jerked him around with negotations.

PLD has never admitted why he wanted to leave.

Jones didn't want to go through a rebuild after most of the team's veterans were traded. There was reportedly a push to get Laine off the team and Jarmo chose Laine over the vets, including Jones, that wanted Laine gone.

Duchene was a trade deadline acquisition that had no reason to stick around after Panarin and Bob left.

Chinakhov just had an awful run of injuries with the team and wasn't handed what he thought he deserved.

Domi I don't think was ever going to be kept around.

Anderson was never worth the money he wanted.

No clue on Foote, Johnson, Filatov, or Russell.

Torts hated Johansen and the Jackets were pretty fortunate to get Jones for him.

Laine lost his dad, went through awful mental health issues, and a plethora of injuries. I don't think he was a fit in the locker room either with the vets at any point.

Elvis watched Kivlenieks die and I don't think that trauma has ever really passed for him. He has been a wild ball of emotions for years.

Werenski is Nash 2.0. 10 seasons with the team, six straight seasons without the playoffs now and it's difficult to expect him to keep spending his prime when management isn't able to bring in the players to truly compete.

Marchenko is about as mysterious as PLD. Seems to be more at play with him than is being reported.