Injuries Have Opened The Door For Two Young Wild Defensemen. Can They Take Advantage?

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Injuries have forced the Minnesota Wild to lean on some of their younger defensemen early in the season, but for Daemon Hunt and David Spacek, the opportunity comes with expectations.

With Brock Faber, Jared Spurgeon and Olli Määttä sidelined, Minnesota has needed contributions from players who might otherwise be fighting for opportunities further down the depth chart.

Following Thursday's 5-4 victory over the St. Louis Blues, I asked Wild head coach John Hynes what he wants to see from Hunt and Spacek as they continue gaining valuable NHL experience.

His answer was straightforward: consistency, efficiency and a willingness to defend.

"I'd like to see what they did tonight, which I felt like they were consistent in their game," Hynes said. "Both players were efficient when they moved the puck. Skated well. They defended hard."

For young defensemen trying to establish themselves in the NHL, offensive ability alone isn't enough. Being reliable without the puck and making the right decisions under pressure are just as important.

That was an area where Hynes noticed improvement against St. Louis.

"Even the other night we talked to our guys about, even Huntsy and some of the other guys, I felt like even defensively, they were harder tonight," Hynes said. "We ended plays in the D-zone."

That ability to end defensive-zone possessions is particularly important for a Wild team missing several experienced defensemen.

Rather than allowing opponents to sustain pressure through repeated puck recoveries, Minnesota needs its younger players to win battles, break up plays and move the puck out of danger.

Hynes felt Hunt and Spacek accomplished that Thursday.

"They were able to stop plays and break pucks out and I thought when they had the opportunity to make plays, they did," Hynes said. "They didn't panic with the puck, which was good, but I also felt like they didn't force things."

Young defensemen with offensive instincts can sometimes feel pressure to make difficult plays to prove they belong. But Hynes' comments suggest that earning trust is more about recognizing when to make a play and when to keep things simple.

That doesn't mean taking creativity out of their games.

Instead, Hynes believes making responsible decisions allows their individual abilities to become more effective.

"When they can play like that, it allows their talents to come out and they're efficient and they were strong players for us tonight," Hynes said.

Minnesota's defensive injuries have also forced Quinn Hughes to adjust to different partners early in the season.

While losing established players like Faber and Spurgeon has presented challenges, Hughes expressed confidence in the team's remaining options.

"You miss Brock, it hurts, and then you miss Spurgey. You could see it hurt in Winnipeg," Hughes said. "And when we get those guys back, we'll be at full power."

For Hunt and Spacek, the circumstances present an opportunity to show they can be dependable NHL defensemen. And if Thursday's performance was any indication, Hynes is beginning to see the habits he wants from both players.

The challenge now is doing it consistently. Because while injuries might create opportunities, reliable play is what can help young defensemen earn more of them.