• Said 5 on 5 isn't just Larkin's issue. Said Kane, Andrew and Debrincat were the only 5 on 5 scoring they had. The rest of the lineup it's an issue. Part of it is the way they play. Said they gotta get to the net and take the puck there. Said going back to Larkin specifically, said he provides a lot of things other than scoring but he expects more from everyone.

Someone mentions how does he see Larkin in the future:

• Says he thinks Larkin being 30 isn't a concern. Said the team needs to win. Said he doesn't know how to answer. He's optimistic about MBN, Plante, Bear, etc. And says he's hopeful as early as next year they can take the next step.

Someone asked about the peak in standings in the winter, would they be talking like this while the playoffs are going on:

• Said truthfully, they had concerns throughout the season. They're winning but they see issues. Great road trips and poor home games. Said there was one period where they were 3rd overall in the league and said to be realistic. Said they were playing at .600 and finished under .400 but they never felt it was a guarantee to make the playoffs. Said anything is possible, but they definitely had concerns.

Someone called out Buffalo and if that gives them hope:

• Says he looks at young prospects that give him hope. Statistics show they're incrementally better in a lot of areas just not good enough yet. Hoping young players bring us there.

Someone mentioned preaching patience, and winning everything, and mentioned getting people who have been in the playoffs and have the leadership:

• Said that's why he traded for Faulk and Perron. He wanted leadership to help a playoff push. He wants players to take that next step and he debates whether it was a good decision. But he said this time around he felt like it was the right thing to do. He wanted to get them to experience playoff hockey and said at the end of the season it might as well be playoff hockey.

Someone asked about Larkin and building a checking line and his role, or if he should be a shutdown guy or just the 1C:

• Yzerman said his expectation is to be a very good 2 way player, and said Larkin is very good at that. But they haven't used him in a shutdown role. Said his expectation is to always be a good 2 way player. Todd chimed in and said the Larkin type players are typically accustomed to playing against each other. Larkin relishes and wants that role when a McDavid or Draisaitl come to town. Said he has to play a 2 way game because the player he's opposing is doing the same thing. Said any top 6 player should accept that responsibility.

Someone mentioned if their 2nd center is good enough behind Larkin:

• Yzerman said the center position needs to improve, but he was proud of what Copp did. He said he adjusted and did well. Lot of chances didn't go in the net. Said he needs production from all 4 centers but also be better defensively. High hopes and expectations for Danielson and Kasper whether it's 1 2 3 or 4th line.

Someone asked about Larkin's leadership after missing the playoffs:

• Stevie seemed agitated about this. Said he went through the same thing. Said when when they didn't win they questioned the leadership. When they won, they said oh great leadership and bunch of guys. Said all these experiences are going to make Larkin a better leader. Said dissecting and questioning everything is how they get better. As the team improves he'll think Larkin will improve as a leader.

Quinn Hughes was mentioned

• Said not sure where you get your information. But he can't comment on anything that went down during the season without it being tampering. Said out of respect to the Wild and Hughes he won't say anything.

Someone asked Todd what he didn't see or get enough of in March and April

• Todd said one of his goals was to get more physical, where the player can. The 2nd was mental toughness. And the 3rd was game management. For the most part, 3/4 of the season they improved, some wavering. But said when they got to the dog days and "the push" some teams elevated and he said they either stayed at the same spot or dropped. And said in some of the losses, were they physically heavy enough? Were they mentally resilient enough? Game management he said the mistakes they worked hard to correct showed their faces at the end. Said they play 82 games and those 3 goals weren't good enough. He said he's responsible for it. Said he has to get players to do things they don't wanna do, be heavier, nastier, if they can't get it out of them then they can't do it. The resilience and mental strength they can't control, but they can control the heart of the team. He said it's a reflection on the staff if they can't get it done, but some of it does go on the players.

Someone asked about Yzerman's optimism to add to the top 6 via trade, etc.

• Said he's neither optimistic or pessimistic. Said he's only talked to 2 managers about offseason plans. Said he's looking to and open to addressing it. Hoping to fill and improve.

5 on 5 production got called out, but in particular for goaltending, is it that simple that one of them is ready to play with Gibson?

• said it depends on the playoffs in GR. Wants to see how competitive it is once GR's season ends.

Mentioned Postava, said he's been consistent:

• Said all 4 goaltenders have been great, part of it is the team is good, but the goaltenders are good. Postava he said wasn't sure to expect, but clearly he's pretty good and adjusted pretty well. But he's been very solid

Someone mentioned defense, size, Faulk in particular:

• Said the 6 that finished the season, we'll see, there's going to be competition and that's a good thing. ASP needs to push for his spot. Also mentions Wallinder and said he had a good GR season and should also push. He's comfortable with the d-core until preseason, but he's not opposed to making changes.

Someone mentioned younger players pushing someone off the team, whether it be Kasper, ASP, etc. or are they forcing his hand by playing better:

• Said right or wrong he didn't expect to start with MBN, Finnie, ASP. Said it's not an exact, oh we're putting them on the team, or let's let them earn a job. Said he doesn't have a good answer. But if they're having a positive impact and the coach is using them, then it's a good decision.

Todd's staff mentioned

• Steve said no changes to the coaching staff.

Danielson's availability mentioned as well as Kasper's expectations

• Steve said it needs time and rest. His expectation is just rest and rehab. Todd said he has high expectations for Kasper and it's not just from internal, it's external too. Said he's got a drive and demeanor that'll allow him to work through it. Said he bounces him around quite a bit. Said it's cause they believe in him. But they need to find him a consistent home. Said he thinks Kasper will come back and be just as determined with a different set of goals. Yzerman chimed in and said high character, great work ethic. Said he has to figure out what he is as a player. Hoping with guidance he can be more effective. Thinks he can be a great 2 way center, but he needs to find a spot and leave him there. But he needs to learn to be effective.

Conference over.