Seems odd that Roy is being so public about his displeasure with Varlamov, when in the past he went out of his way not do criticize players in public. The criticism is warranted, but I do feel like he's starting to boil over.
I think it's pretty clear he's trying a different approach, since the other approach didn't produce the results needed. He's going to continue to shield the team from blame on occasion out of strategy, since he thinks that will make matters worse to completely **** on them, but for certain star players, I think it's clear he has changed direction to put some external pressure on them. They haven't responded properly to being coddled.
That's why we've seen Nate, Dutchy, Varly, and Barrie be given some tough love. It's no coincidence that the only players to receive that treatment are the biggest parts of the team. Everybody else can only be so good based on their natural abilities. The guys he gives tough love to are underperforming, and capable of much more.