I don't think you have to hire Torts, with all his baggage and abrasiveness, to do the things you are calling out. It isn't like only Torts can do those things, and no other coaching option can. I think the Rangers should be looking for a lot of those qualities in a non-Torts baggage package.
As for Kreider, you don't need the coach to force him out of here, Drury can trade him as is right now, he only has a 15-team NTC, so he can be traded to half the league. He did score over 20 goals despite a "bad season". With only 2-years remaining at $6.5M per, Kreider is tradable. Let's hope Drury doesn't totally amateur hour F up the Kreider situation like he did with the Trouba situation last summer.
Lastly on Zibanejad, I don't think the only hurdle is his NMC. I think the case can be made the much bigger hurdle is his performance compared to his contract, 5-years remaining at $8.5M per, I believe that is at worst as big of an obstacle as his NMC. Unless Drury can pull a rabbit out of his hat, unlikely, the approach with Zibanejad may be to hope he has pride and works his butt off this summer to prove it and be a stud again next season. I actually think it is possible that could happen, combined with being held accountable by Drury/the new coach. Heck, if Zibanejad only pulled a Panarin of last season and focused on shooting way more next season, that in itself would be a huge step in the right direction.