As first reported by MayorsManor on Wednesday – and in a trade that that will always be remembered as temporarily crashing the site – the Kings sent two of their top prospects to Buffalo for Brayden McNabb. Many were scratching their heads and asking, ‘Who is this former Sabres draft pick?’
We’ve already heard from GM Dean Lombardi on the deal (here) and after his first skate with the Monarchs earlier today, MayorsManor caught up with McNabb. Here are the raw quotes and what was discussed…
On how he found out he was traded:
“I was actually on a plane heading home from a road trip with Rochester. We were about to take off, ten minutes from taking off, my agent called me and said, ‘something might be happening.’ Then I saw on Twitter my name pop up, but I didn’t officially find out until I landed. It was kind of funny that way.”
On what he knows about the Manchester Monarchs:
“We hadn’t played them this season [because] we don’t get out to this area at all. So, it will be interesting to see the new teams out here. I kind of knew Linden Vey, he’s from Saskatchewan. I played with him in Under-17 and played against him a lot in the WHL. Same with Jordan Weal. So I kind of know those guys.”
On his nickname in Rochester:
“They just called me Nabber, pretty simple.”
[ed. note: We also tipped him off that Vey is the one who usually hands out the nicknames in Manchester. So we’ll have to check back in down the road and see what moniker has been slapped on McNabb.]
On if he’s had a chance to read anything Dean Lombardi had to say about him after the trade:
“I honestly haven’t. It’s been a whirlwind the last couple of days. I found out and then I had to go pack and call family and whatnot. I haven’t really been able to sit down and do that stuff. I’ll probably get to do that today at some point.”
On if he’s ever been to Los Angeles:
“I never have. I’m excited to go there someday.”
On his game and his improvement over the past few years:
“With Rochester and Buffalo, I’ve been a steady defenseman who can chip up in the offense and run a power play. Chip in the offense whenever I can. My skating has improved a lot since Juniors. I’ve worked a lot with Buffalo’s power skating, Dawn Braid. She’s helped me out a lot over the years and I think that’s definitely the biggest thing that’s improved.”
On other NHL players he has been compared to:
“Marc Staal on the New York Rangers. He kind of chips in on offense, but takes care of his own end first. Obviously can be physical at times; and pick the right times, to be physical and make that big hit.”
On if he’s been given a plan yet regarding Manchester vs. Los Angeles:
“I’m not entirely sure. For now I’m in Manchester and I’m going to do whatever I can here to help the team win.”
On where he sees himself slotted in the NHL:
“Maybe the middle man. You know, top four guys, they need to eat minutes and be dependable back there. Chip in with some offense occasionally.”
On Drew Doughty:
“He’s an unreal player. He’s obviously a world class player and hopefully someday I’ll be able to play with him.”
On his first few thoughts immediately after hearing he’d been traded to the LA Kings:
“It’s a winning organization. They won a Cup two years ago and that’s definitely what I’m most excited about. Their minor league team and their NHL team are both winning organizations.”
On when he first started playing hockey and who influenced him:
“Probably when I was three or four. Definitely my mom and dad. They took me to public skating every day. I grew up in a small town of only 900 people, so it was basically just hockey. That’s all I had to do.”
On his favorite players growing up:
“I was a big Avalanche fan when they had Patrick Roy, Peter Forsberg and all those guys. They had a real good team.”
On his favorite players not being defensemen:
“Yeah, I don’t know how that worked out. I was definitely offensive-minded.”
On when he started playing defense:
“I think it was around peewee age. My old man told me he didn’t think I would be fast enough for a forward. ‘So you better go back, that would be your only chance of making it.’ It’s worked out so far.”
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