So, I guess it goes without saying, but this isn't exactly the greatest of looks for the anti-Hynes contingent. To be quite honest, I'm not particularly sure why that contingent even exists considering that the Devils' head coach has consistently gotten a strong effort out of an oft-depleted roster that's ahead of schedule despite being made up largely of young players that have achieved more this year than anyone could have possibly imagined. Regardless, they might want to rethink the planning of their next meeting after having their mission statement shot straight to hell by a player whose blossomed into someone that's legitimately capable of capturing the franchise's first Hart Trophy under the tutelage of their scapegoat. At this point in the rebuild, the Devils will go as far as Taylor Hall can take them, and if you believe anything he said to be true then it's John Hynes that will be sitting shotgun giving directions. Of course, there's a reason that athletes - no matter how important they may be - don't typically influence staffing decisions. However, when one who knows a dysfunctional locker room better than the back of his hand partially credits his first postseason push to the mutually beneficial relationship that he has maintained with the head coach then it's probably safe to assume that head coach is doing a good job. Especially when that head coach just so happens to be the same guy that has gotten relative consistency out Damon Severson and the rest of an admittedly suspect defense, confidence out of Pavel Zacha, trustworthiness out of multiple teenagers, and significant contributions from role players like Miles Wood, Brian Boyle, Brian Gibbons, and Blake Coleman. Lest not we forget that Will Butcher is a New Jersey Devil - at least in part - because John Hynes is the coach of the New Jersey Devils, and it's tough to think it a coincidence that the latter has gotten the most out of former despite his limited minutes. As is the case with most coaches, he comes not without flaws, but the fact that John Hynes has gotten the entirety of the team to buy in by pushing all the right buttons at all the right times (See: the overwhelming positivity following the backbreaking loss to Boston that preceded the current 4-game winning streak) more than makes up for the occasional odd lineup decision. The 'New Jersey Devils Vs. Everybody' mantra - by either dumb luck or timely inspiration - has paid dividends, and the coach deserves just as much credit for introducing it as the team does for running up the standings with it. The resilience they've shown in refusing to let a handful of undeserved outcomes derail their season has been impressive, but - with how often trust, accountability, and togetherness has not only been preached but also practiced from the top on down - it's far from a surprise.
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