Very difficult to hear the questions so I probably missed some important context.
But from just reading him and listening to his words, my impressions (these are my thoughts on his interview, not his exact words):
He absolutely loves Wilson (and Strome) and is very anxious about the Backstrom situation. The topic of "buyout" in general makes him unusually nervous.
He wants to move Kuzy and is sending smoke signals to the rest of the league. I may have mistaken talk about Mantha for Kuzy, or vice versa. Or they may have been about the same. Again, can't hear the questions.
He likes and highly values Oshie and is disappointed in how much he's been out of the lineup. IMO he might give him another offseason to get healthy because of how important he is, but there is concern as evidenced by his comments about needing guys who can last the full year. Coin flip there.
He seems completely unbothered about the defense and goaltending. Top 6 is the main focus. The rest will likely be filled out with prospects and role players.
He has asst coaches who are currently off-limits in mind for the next HC position, and it will be that "unicorn" type I mentioned in the Lavi thread who must balance old and new. He likely knows who he wants to contact but of course isn't going to let on. I think we all understand the top candidates by now.
He's a bit frustrated by the lack of early 1st round draft picks, but knows it's a result of years of finishing in the playoffs. He doesn't regard the current batch of top draftees very favorably compared to the talent available to other teams drafting higher, and probably worried he said too much to that effect after remarking about the quality of high vs low first round picks. This to me says he wants to use the pick, not trade back.
He doesn't see footspeed vs the rest of the league for most of the roster as an issue so much as how you play (passing, movement off the puck, etc), which I agree with. There's a "range" of skating speed most players fall into. Also true but we do need a few more burners.
The question about Lavi was answered politically to avoid blame for either side. On the question about assistants I suspect it will be a similar approach but he can't let the cat out of the bag without talking to them.
There was confirmation that he discusses a lot of this with Ovie, including the TDL moves, but Ovie doesn't necessarily guide or direct things.
People have been sending him draft lottery simulations which is pretty funny. It wasn't me.
