Article: John Hynes Has Unleashed Kirill Kaprizov

[Tony Abbott]

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[Citizen Strife]

Kirill is the straw that stirs the drink with this team.  He brings something that the team has never really had.  You had fast skating goal scorers like Gaborik, but when Kap is able to buzz around the ice.  He's also a decent physical player, willing to take and give hits despite his star status.  It's amazing to watch him when he's feeling it.  The is the important "extra" gear the team needs that only he provides.  I'd say the only other players like it are Ek (who does pretty much everything well), and Faber (who skates circles around each zone).  

Talent can't be taught, and he has it in spades.  It's good seeing him on a roll.

Edited December 28, 2023 by Citizen Strife

[Dock]

2 hours ago, Citizen Strife said:

Kirill is the straw that stirs the drink with this team.  He brings something that the team has never really had.  You had fast skating goal scorers like Gaborik, but when Kap is able to buzz around the ice.  He's also a decent physical player, willing to take and give hits despite his star status.  It's amazing to watch him when he's feeling it.  The is the important "extra" gear the team needs that only he provides.  I'd say the only other players like it are Ek (who does pretty much everything well), and Faber (who skates circles around each zone).  

Talent can't be taught, and he has it in spades.  It's good seeing him on a roll.

I like this new coach John Hynes he has got the whole team playing lights out right now 11-3 since he took over

 

[manbearpig]

He's lookin like his old self and very well may revive our season to at least make the playoffs.  I know that isn't good enough for some fans but this year and next will be tough for the cap penalty.  It is unfortunate because he will be 28 by the time we can sign some better FA.

[B1GKappa97]

Yeah the Boldy-Ek-Kaprizov line is exactly what he's needed. 

A) Ek isn't going to let people get free runs at the guy. And as we saw last season, he helps open things up for Matt Boldy because teams can't just ignore him as he's crashing toward the net. 

B) Boldy is everything we want Zuccy to be; a guy who can pass and defend but is also capable of scoring on his own shots. Teams can no longer just wait for the cute Kap-Zucc-Kap passes at the net anymore. 

And keeping the Zucc-Rossi tandem together on the 2nd line provides some solid secondary scoring. I know he's hurt right now, but he's able to dish beautiful passes to Rossi, who's generally not missing open nets when the opportunity is there. He's actually leading the team in shooting% among guys with at least 40 SOG. 

Love the new line combos.  

[NC Beach Bum]

playing Faber behind Ek, Kap, and Boldy has been productive also

[Pewterschmidt]

Looks like petrovsky is going to be the unsung hero of the can’t miss prospect class.  He looked good in WJC last year too

[mnfaninnc]

Has Hynes really unleashed Kaprizov? Or maybe he just gave him better linemates to run with? Or, maybe, Kaprizov is finally getting healthy. 

Today's pregame video selection, in my mind, will be Morrissey crosschecking Staal in the neck, and Stanley laying on a vulnerable Kaprizov. I realize that Hartman did reverse check Ehlers last season, more in retaliation sending the message, don't mess with our best player. But, I would assume that Kaprizov should be treated more like a player wearing the red noncontact jersey in practice!

My expectations are 2 very hard hitting games in a highly contested home and home series. I'm also expecting to see the Wild continue their climb up the points board. To me, though, the key will be "don't let one of our guys get run over and go unchallenged." And, I wouldn't mind running over some of their guys first. No need to take penalties, just a hard hitting game highlighting what Foligno, Maroon, and Duhaime have in their golfbags. Guys, bring the drivers!