Had a chance to catch up with several of the players today after practice – including Jarret Stoll, Willie Mitchell, Kyle Clifford, Jake Muzzin, Kevin Westgarth, etc.
First up, Michal Handzus…
MM: It’s been four games now with your new linemate Alexi Ponikarovsky. What’s your assessment on how things are going so far?
MH: I don’t think we’ve played up to our potential yet. So, our line is not as happy as we’d like to be. In those four games we didn’t play as well as we could have. We’re still trying to get our chemistry clicking. That’s what we’ve been working on in practice the last few days. Hopefully we can get it going and help the team a little bit more.
Wayne Simmonds has been fairly quiet so far this season. What would you attribute that to?
It’s all three of us actually, not just one of us or two of us. We haven’t supported each other as well. The thing is, our game is a puck possession game, be strong on the puck and play in their zone. I think we did a better job in the last game. But, other than that, we didn’t play our game. That means all three of us have been quiet.
Jonathan Quick has looked strong so far in his three games. Any thoughts on his play?
He has a lot of confidence in himself after last year. It’s what we expected of him actually and it’s what he expects from himself too. It’s no surprise for us. But, obviously, we need him to be that like that all season.
More quotes to come later this afternoon.
If you missed it… As I reported on my twitter account earlier today – there are several line-up changes for tomorrow night vs. Carolina. Jonathan Bernier will start in goal. Also, Kyle Clifford and Trevor Lewis will be on the fourth line with Brad Richardson. Kevin Westgarth and Brayden Schenn will get the night off.
The Mayor
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