Quotes from Jeff Carter following practice on Monday…
On if the long break was a blessing and disguise, giving him extra time to get back to 100%
I think for sure it has. I just turned 36, so as much time as I can get to heal up and be ready to go, it’s definitely gonna help me in the long run… Because of the circumstances, I had surgery in May, so we’ve had plenty of time to rehab and work my way back into skating. At this point, I feel perfectly fine. I feel good, I’m ready to go.
On if he’s heard any specifics on what life will be like when the team is on the road,
We haven’t heard a ton yet. We’ve had a few little talks. Sounds like it’s gonna be pretty limited – you know, in your rooms at the hotel, on the hotel property, that’s about it. So we’ll have to load up on some TV shows.
On any adjustments needed with playing right wing vs. center
I’ve kind of swapped back and forth through the most part of the second-half of my career here. I’m comfortable on both after a couple practices. It’s mainly just the wall play and the D coming down on you. That’s probably the biggest thing. But the way that we play, half the time I’m gonna be the low guy coming back in our own zone anyway. So I’m basically playing center at that point, right? Everybody on on each line, whether you’re a winger or centerman on our team, you have to know how to play every position. It’s just the way that our system works out, so it’s not an issue.
On if he’s able to generate more scoring chances against shots when playing wing vs. center
Never really thought of it. I like to be coming up the ice with speed and the puck on my stick. If I’m on the wing, love to be with guys that can get me the puck. Either way, I’m fine. I have no problem coming down the wing and someone laying a puck into me and I’m skating into it. Hopefully it works out well this year.
On Todd McLellan now in his second year and how his systems complements the personality of this year’s LA Kings team
I think it’s been great right from day one this year; not too many new guys, a few guys coming in that had to kind of get a grasp on the system. For the most part, guys came in, they knew exactly what we were doing and went to work. I think, as the first three days built, you kind of saw that in the scrimmages. By day three, we were right into the neutral zone, in the forecheck and everything, so it’s been real good.
On his level of excitement for the season, including teammates talk about the playoffs being a possibility this year
That’s our goal, right? We feel that we’re a playoff team. Everybody’s rested and recovered from everything. There’s definitely an excitement in the room and everybody’s ready to go, for sure.
On McLellan saying he’s going to try to keep the lines together and build some familiarity
It’s definitely easier to get things rolling when you have a few weeks or a bunch of games in a row to get going with each other. Especially because I played with Lizzo a little bit last year, but haven’t played with Wags much. The more time we can get together at practice and games, it’s only gonna help us.
On if he has any thoughts or concerns about there not being any exhibition games this season
Not particularly; we’re all pros. I’m sure at some point this week, we’ll get some type of game-like situations. It’s just up to everybody to get themselves ready because everybody around the league is in the same boat. So, you got to do what you got to do.
On his new flow…
"I had nowhere to be for the last 11 months" – @JeffCarter_77 pic.twitter.com/FjKP8XpsBP
— John Hoven | The Mayor (@mayorNHL) January 4, 2021
On if this is the healthiest he has felt the last couple years
Yeah, probably. I mean, if you go back to the ankle there and that kind of lingered for a few years. Now, getting fixed up this summer. I feel good, I feel strong. I had a good summer of rehab, workouts and whatnot with Pricer and Trent. I’ve had an extended period of time to skate, where I didn’t have to just jump right back into it and get going up full speed. I was able to kind of ease my way into it and work my way up to full speed leading up to camp. So I think that really helped me, maybe just not having any setbacks along the way really. So yeah, I feel good. I’m ready to go.
On playing with Wagner this season
With Wags, the first thing you see is his speed, so if he’s utilizing that and stretching plays out and taking off for us, he creates a lot on the forecheck because of his speed, closing on guys and and winning races to pucks, that can be a big asset to our team.
Kings coach Todd McLellan spoke about Carter here.
(ed. note – minor edits were made where needed)
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