After being eliminated from the playoffs by the Detroit Red Wings on Sunday night, and playing in what may have been his last NHL game, here’s what future Hall of Famer Teemu Selanne had to share…
On the loss:
“It’s obviously very disappointing. We had a chance to close the series, but we couldn’t. The goal was to try to play the best game of the series this Game 7, but we couldn’t. So obviously that’s very disappointing. They played well. Give credit to those guys, but we’re very disappointed we couldn’t play our best game tonight.”
On the slow start:
“There’s no really explanation. That has been pretty much our problem the whole year. If you could fix that one problem it would be totally different case. But it is what it is, it’s obviously very disappointing. As a group these guys, our guys have to learn something from this, you know? I think we deserved better than this. But that’s hockey, you never know. Playoffs are so much fun, and obviously very disappointed to be out of it right now. We were looking forward to going further and enjoying this some more. That’s why it’s so rough right now, but it’s too late now.”
On if there was a turning point in the series:
“I don’t think there’s just one. Obviously, we lost three games in OT. So you never know what’s going to happen in OT obviously. They won three games, and that was the difference, you know? The games that we won, I think we won those not easy, but easier, you know? What else can you do? I’m very proud of these guy. We played a really good season, but it ended too soon.”
On his decision-making process on whether to come back:
“Obviously, this is a time I don’t want to really think about it too much now. Obviously, it’s a big decision again, but there’s no really best way. I just take some time off and just clear my head, and think about what’s the next step, you know? I really don’t have to play, but this game is so much fun, and I just gotta decide when is the time, you know.”
On if he thought he’d have more ice time in the series:
“Well, that’s a coaches’ decision. Obviously I played more before. I always say, that the funny way you ask the coach to be. So, the more you play, the better you play. We had a lot of guys that could do some damage. The whole season, the secret was the depth that we have. But of course that’s one thing. You always want to play more.”
On what stands out the most from this year:
“Like I say, I’m very proud of these guys. Like how we, with such a short preparation to the season, we really found a way to get everything going and really start clicking right away. So that’s a good sign. But only the end matters, you know. It’s a good example. You just have to make the playoffs, and you never know what’s going to happen. That’s why playoffs are what they are.”
On how much the outcome tonight will affect his decision:
“Not much at all. Obviously, very disappointed. We were looking forward to going further, but like I said, right away I’m not going to think about this question. Right away, you know. It’s something, if I would have the feeling right now then I would tell you right away. But that’s not the case. So let’s see.”
On how much the shortened season affected him as far as wear and tear:
“I thought…Personally I think this was a harder season than a normal season. Obviously like the recovery time was a lot of times…It was just impossible. Especially for me. So that I felt, it was way tougher. Because in a normal season there’s times where you can have a little longer stretch to recover. No time for that. This year it was nothing.”
On if the shortened season took too much out of the team:
“It’s the same for everybody. I felt that with the depth that we had, we didn’t really have to overload certain guys too much. So I thought this could be our advantage. That’s why it’s very disappointing we couldn’t go any further than this. The longer we go with our depth, that would be our key, you know? But personally this season was way tougher than a normal season.”
On what playing the Kings would have meant to the area:
“You know what? That was another thing. I was really looking forward. Obviously, we have never faced each other in the playoffs. That would just bring the whole new situation here in Southern California. So that’s one thing in how disappointed we are. Because we knew we had a chance to face the Kings.”
On what coach Bruce Boudreau had to say:
“Well obviously he was very disappointed. He said he hate this speech that he has right now, but same hand, he’s very proud how we played this year. But still, you can’t be so happy about how…Our goal was go further than this, you know? So that’s why it’s disappointing, all of us said as a group we have to go through some tough times before we really start clicking. That is one of those things. You gotta remember, and you gotta learn from this series. Every series. And Game 7…It’s something that the experience helped, but still it’s gotta happen. That’s the beauty of this game. There’s definitely some things to learn.”
On if losing a Game 7 will make it any harder to let go of:
“Absolutely. Especially we had two chances to close. And especially the overtime game last game in Detroit. That’s rough, you know? But, like I said, what are you going to do?”
RELATED CONTENT: Chatting with Selanne during the lockout
Note to webmasters/reporters: When recapping news or interviews from this site please include a link to www.MayorsManor.com
Obviously, he’s disappointed 🙂