Something that I bet helps Hitch get his message across so quickly with a group, like he did here so far, is his use of concepts to try to change the way players think. Concepts can probably change players behavior a lot quicker than going over X's and O's. The most broad one we've heard multiple times now is the idea that when you have the puck, that's for you, when you don't, that's for us. That's a good thought to plant in players minds to get them to get on the same page playing a system. It's simple, but it's completely the right way to think when you're playing a team sport, and I think we can all say pretty easily that our players did not look like they had that kind of idea in their head for a long time now.
Lots of other little examples, like how he is trying to tell the D that they don't have to be as concerned about zone play once the puck crosses our blue line, they need to get more involved and not be so conservative. He told Pulju that he has been playing based on zones too hard as well, coasting once he crosses the blue line. The idea that OZ possession is #1 now, and one of the big goals of lines, especially the identity line is to get the opposing defenders playing straight legged (tired), and that's when you want to try to strike and the best opportunities will come. No more trying to go for the quick kill every time you enter the zone, or just dumping in and hoping you can get it back. Our lines need to be more patient and value possession more, and I think that is really showing up well with the play of our bottom 3 lines.
Lots of other little ones that have come out from his interviews as well.
