“I'm been extremely pleased with the way he has progressed and the confidence level. When I asked him about the difference between major junior and the world (junior) championship, he said the speed of the game is way higher. It is. It's the best league in the world but players like that adapt quickly.”
“The transition for any young player into this league is something that takes time. He asks a lot of good questions and we watch his shifts together afterward (on video). Then the next time, it just becomes second nature.”
“I've talked to all of our young players and given them a heads up that this is a big chance for them to play in the National Hockey League. I'm coming in with open eyes. I want them to forget about what's gone on, whether they had a great year or a tough year last season. There are plenty of spots available. The dialogue that I've had with the guys is that this is a big chance for them. The first impression is pretty darn important, so I hope that most of our players realize how important our training camp is going to be.”
“When I came to play in Pittsburgh, I had been in the league 11 years. I had been through the ringer a few times, but when I was put on a line with Mario and Ron Francis I was intimidated. I don't want Sid facing that.”
“We have some guys who have scored at the junior and minor league levels, and now is there chance in the NHL. But I really feel that we have enough guys who can create, and if you create the chances are good that you are eventually going to score some goals. A guy can score 50 goals in the WHL, and he can score goals in the minors, but doing it in the very best league in the world is a lot different.”
