John Hynes Tuesday Update

0:00You're listening to the official Minnesota wild pond cast presented by Acrocia. Everybody's good. I counted four and looked like Spurgeon was back out. Looking okay? Yep. Yeah, full. Everyone we had everyone. Everyone full till today. Could you send us from a couple days out? They're going to energize or a little more. Pretty those small area games. Yeah. Yeah. I think it was we got some good stuff done today. I think a lot of pocket touches, a lot of speed. Worked down a couple areas systematically that we wanted, but also I think incorporated. You know, when you have a little bit longer practice, you know, 50 minute practice, you can incorporate some different things. But today was a lot of, I think, pocket touches, small area, pocket skills with some pressure under it. And then we did, you know, we did some good job on our breakouts and things like that. So I thought the guys had good energy and they put in a good work effort. So the guys that you should bring in a video and you're getting a translated one time or a bunch of video and then be able to translate it. And the guys like that's what you see. And like, we do juice identity kind of drills like this. Yeah. Today we didn't do video. You know, tomorrow we'll do some things.

1:02But today again, it was the opportunity when we practice. We tried to practice the drills with some purpose of, you know, how we want to play. And whether it's the speed of the pace of practice, but also I think what's important is the type of situations that you put them in that it's kind of promoting. Sometimes you do it through video, but for a day like today, lay off the video, but just get it through the practice. And I think the guys did a good job. How important is this four days? Not only had the two days of work now, but even the two day breather considering on the schedule. Yes, nice. I mean, it's unique. You know, I think every team has had this break just at different points in the year. But, you know, this time of year is nice for us to be able to do it. You know, have the guys have a couple days off. Obviously the weather was nice. So I think that's just like I talked about even after the bossing game, just mentally getting away from it. And you can see just the refreshing renewed energy that the guys have and have another good day tomorrow. And then in any game on Thursday. And then we hit a pretty heavy game schedule after that. Listen to some of the comments after the boss and the players

2:03and sound alike, you know, kind of a double-edged thing. Like they don't feel like they've played up to their capabilities. Some of them said they can, you know, did the first period. Is that almost advantageous where you know the problems are within and we can fix it in the room? That kind of thing. Yeah, certainly. You know, our guys know that I think they have pretty good self-awareness of their own game and the team game and part of that is understanding that, which as a coach you like to have with your team, but then it's also getting some fixing some of those issues and then just keep moving forward. Guys, we're mixing in the line today. Was it kind of planned out in corporate guys? Like you're all for a stir and more fabric. You've just got through as a plan of all against that coming games. Yeah. But it's, you know, there's more to the, I guess more to the answer because I think, you know, the question is certainly valid. But I think it's, it's, we'll discuss that a little bit today and tomorrow.

3:03And it comes down to different things. You want to have individuals and the team going. I do think rest is important for some guys. What's the right time for that? Who is that? Certain combos, you know, we know is there someone that's, you know, everyone this time of year is kind of banged up. But it's someone really playing through something that they could use a little bit of an extra day or a game off here or there. So it's, it's trying to put that whole puzzle together the right way. And, you know, we haven't made a final decision on what we'll do. I think we have an idea and a plan moving forward. But, you know, I think that will adapt and change as we move forward. But we'll definitely have a plan. You're going to feel better, feel like what you've like, better like Hughes' favorite, Hughes' version. You know, you had the last few weeks you had the Hughes and Spursion together in that combo. I guess what do you think? Yeah, I like, I think that pairs from good. I, and I really like, I like faves and, and Hughes'y together.

4:03And Spursion. And when you look at those four defensemen, I think all the combos are good. But it, you know, still haven't decided finally what we'll do with it. There's a little bit of time here. But I do, I think both pairs have been good. Could have been a little bit of playing against his old team, but Patriot and Florida especially looked like he was right in the mix. So, you know, eager to get that opportunity. I think Jess played, played well. He's a, you know, big strong guy. I like he's got good puck skills. He's rangy, he's got good speed. The defense hard, you know, plays a smart, you know. He's a guy that you can tell has played a long time in the league and knows how to play. I think he's efficient. If I had to describe him as a defense, he's very efficient, efficient defensively, efficient moving the puck. And I think his game in general is, was good for the three games that he's played for us. And overall, just these last three games, what do you want to see from your team that might be more beneficial heading into the playoffs, you know, that will hopefully be successful. Yeah, I think it's a, it's, it's a combination.

5:03I think it's individual games, you know, which then turns the team game the way we want to play. I think the big thing is playing with strong, strong structure and details, which is important. I think playing to the identity that, you know, gives us a chance to, to be a difficult team to play against when we're executing coming out of our end. We're playing fast up the ice, you know, we're able to make good, good puck decisions where, if we have time and space, we can attack off the Russian and put teams in trouble that way. But then also a big part of our team game is our, is that puck pursuit game, puck pressure game in the offensive zone. And then, those are the things that think you look for is when we're playing our best, what does it look like? And let's try to do that consistently in the overall team game with strong details. And then I do think it's important too that individual games and identities of each player, they're, they're playing to what we're going to need them to be and play like in the playoffs. Playing to always has been successful for you guys all season long.

6:04Can you envision yourself playing both goalies in a playoffs? I haven't thought that far ahead, but I think I, I will say this with both guys, they've been very good for us all year long. I think that, you know, they both give us a chance to win. So that's, you know, that's a good feeling. So we'll see how it goes down the stretch. We have a lot of games. So both guys are going to get a good amount of work here leading into the playoffs. We haven't even, I haven't thought that far ahead because it's really, we got to take care of business now. But I would say that you feel comfortable with both guys. You worked with Torrance at the Olympics. You have a feeling he was ready to tie it back in? Yeah, he was looking. Yeah, for sure. He's, he's still, you would like another crack at it. So it's, you know, it's unfortunate for Bruce. I like him. We have a relationship there and it's obviously unfortunate for him. But it's a good opportunity for, for Torrance. So we'll see what he can do. And you go ahead. You don't have to play Vegas anymore. Yeah, exactly. No more. I don't have to deal with him yet. Yeah. To be in the playoffs. Yes, correct, correct. What are Hunter H.

7:04Show you in his call-up? I know he has sent down all the weekend. But Torrance is more and he's already messed with what you've seen in previous. Yeah, I think Hunter's taken a big step. He looked faster, stronger, I think more confident in his own game. I think you could see his puck skills like he, I thought he made some good plays. He was attacking offensively, strong on the puck. Better in the face-off circle. And then I think his details away from the puck. As a centerman, just his details coming into D-zone coverage, positioning in D-zone awareness on those areas has definitely taken a step. So really excited that he's grown the way he has this year because he stepped in and looked good. And when you see a player, it's not like he came up and it's like he's a young talented guy. Now you're looking at a young talented guy that's stronger, faster, more confident, and is really developing his overall game, offense and defense. That's encouraging. All right, thank you.

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