On his suspension to end the year:
Obviously it was disappointing. Anytime you can’t get out there with the guys it’s frustrating, but that’s just how it goes. You’ve got to move the page. Overall, I think I definitely made some progress and I’m happy about that.
On what he improved this season in a “show-me” year:
Another dimension to my game. I think, for me, that part was definitely the hard part for me. Offensively, I’ve always had that instinct. Defensively, just constantly going up against the top guys and the top defensive pairings I felt was a challenge early on. I really took it in stride and I was able to build off that.
On the optimism around the team:
I think the future is bright for us. I think we’re really trending in the right direction. Obviously it’s going to take a little bit of time. We’re all going to be patient here. I don’t think it’s going to happen overnight. We just have to constantly keep looking toward the future and constantly trying to get better everyday.
On whether there’s a sense of relief for the team to put this season behind them:
Of course. To be honest, you need to have these kind of seasons to be successful. You need to kind of fall and fail before you cross the finish line. I think it’s important for our group, especially our young guys, to understand how this feeling feels. It’s not a good feeling, by all means, but I think it’s necessary to take that step in the right direction.
On his anticipation entering another contract summer:
Just optimism. I’m going to work as hard as I can every single summer and try to get better in terms of my all-around game. I think every single year I’ve always made steps in the forward direction. That’s going to be no different this summer.
On whether the negotiations will be easier than past ones:
Hopefully they go smoothly. I’m an optimistic person. I’ve had lots of support from Lou and Babs. Like I said, the past couple of years I’ve kind of turned the page and worked as hard as I could to be a professional on and off the ice. I think, so far, it’s been going well for me.
On whether he’s looking at another short-term, “show me” deal or something long term:
Obviously, long term is something you look forward to. At the end of the day, that’s out of my hands. That’s up to Lou and the management. I think I made it clear where I want to stay and where my heart is, and that’s in Toronto. I love the city, I love the fans, I love the guys in the room. I think we get along great. At the end of the day, they make that decision, but in terms of my play this year I think I’ve really progressed. I think I still have a lot of learning to do.
On what the organization accomplished this year:
I think there was some growing pain. There were good times and bad times; it was a bit of a rollercoaster. Like I said, when you are a young player in the league, you’ve got to learn how to lose. Even though sometimes it doesn’t feel good – all the time it doesn’t feel good – you’ve got to understand how to take it like a professional. At the end of the day, I think losing and having that feeling deep down in your stomach makes you a better person and is going to make you more successful in the long run.
On whether there’s a “base of expectations” in place now under Lamoriello and Babcock:
That’s what the culture change was for. That’s what the whole revamp of the organization last summer was for. I think we’re really trending in the right direction. It’s just a matter of how fast we can move things.
