Can't disagree with any of the above, but Shippy never gave himself a chance to get acclimated. How long was he here, six weeks or so? Plenty of changes to adapt to and not much time.
Also, I remember after one of the preseason practices last year there were about a dozen or so Russian speakers huddled around outside the ice at CN, furiously debating something. Don't know if this was Shippy's family (very extended!), posse, crew, entourage or whatever. Assume they were attached to him, as he was the only Russian on the team. Anyway, I have a hunch he might have been getting all manner of advice (bad) from every which way when he likely would have been better off dealing only with his agent and VGK management.
Plus, based on his issues after going back to Russia I think it's pretty obvious he's a bit of a headcase.
A GMGM mistake, but worked out well for VGK. Shippy might have poisoned the room.