I would be more upset if I was playing a wide-open style and then it changed, |
I'd definitely like to have more energy than I did (Saturday). I'm just trying to fight through it. I had a few chances, it wasn't like I was terrible out there, but I think there's still another level that I have left in me that I haven't hit yet. |
I'd love to have the opportunity to do that, ... Obviously I'm going to be a rookie, so I'm going to try to learn as much as a I can, be open-minded. And be a student. . . . I'm going to learn from one of the best guys in Mario Lemieux. So I'm going to try and be a sponge in that way and learn as much as I can from him. |
I'm feeling a lot more comfortable. I think you never want to forget you're a rookie. You should savor the experience every night. I don't want to play like one, though. I want to play like I've been here a while. |
I'm going to try to lead by example. I'm going to do my best for these guys. |
I'm happy to go everywhere, ... I know the history of that building, but every place is fun to go to right now. It's all new. |
I'm just trying to help the team win. That's been my goal all season. |
I'm looking at it as short-term as possible. I want to have a good camp and push myself to raise my game as best I can. Obviously, this is a new level, but the pressure has always been there. I've always put a lot of pressure on myself to perform. |
I'm not going to play in a replacement league. With replacement players it's not the best league in the world - that's the league that I dream of playing in, the NHL - with real NHL players. |
I'm not really thinking about it right now, ... I want to come and play in the NHL next year. That's my goal, that's my focus right now. I'm going to put everything into that and try to move on from there. |
I'm not trying to be the next Wayne Gretzky or Mario Lemieux, ... I am putting pressure on myself to do my best and perform to my potential -- that's all I can do. |
I'm not worried about coming in here and putting the pressure on myself to get four points every night and carry the team because I'm not going to do that, |
I'm still trying to develop consistency, ... You have to think faster up here. The reaction time is fast. You have to think quick, or else you're not going to make a lot happen. |
I'm trying to learn as much as I can out there, but I'm confident in what I can do, |
I'm very excited, ... It's been a long month and a lot of anticipation, and I'm definitely looking forward to getting on the ice every day. |