I don't approach a NEIPA with the idea that the haze is the goal. I want great flavor, aroma and mouthfeel. If the haze comes with it, that's fine, but it's not a necessity. I suspect this is similar to the first brewers of the style...they likely didn't want haze, but couldn't get the same experience without it. I've always suspected that that's why Heady Topper says "drink from the can"...they wanted to hide the haze which was likely viewed as a defect at the time.
That being said, I cold crash mine and I have used whirlfloc once. That batch scored a 41 and won best in show. Mine still come out very hazy and, even with the cold crash, I'm usually waiting a week after kegging for the hops to settle out. A pour 3-4 days after kegging has enough hop byte that it literally burns a bit....it's spicy. Another 5 days later and it's juicy, smooth and amazing.
Edited to add:
Regarding O2 in the cold crash, I just put vodka in the airlock and let it do what it will. I see people jump through all sorts of hoops chasing LODO. I take a few easy steps (pre-purge keg, initiate siphon with CO2, post purge the keg after the siphon) but that's about it. Here's what a friend said after I shipped him a couple 6 week old bottles (bottled from the keg): "Great color! No sign of oxidation, something I struggle with."
Shrug. I don't konw why I don't have an issue, but I'm glad I don't have to go through all the hassles some people do.