NHL Peachy: 2015 Stanley Cup Final Off-Day Transcript (Chicago - Toews, Kane, Seabrook, Teravainen, Cumiskey, Coach Quenneville) Our Coverage Sponsored by Stribling and Associates
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An interview with:
JONATHAN TOEWS
PATRICK KANE
BRENT SEABROOK
TEUVO TERAVAINEN
KYLE CUMISKEY
COACH JOEL QUENNEVILLE
THE MODERATOR: Questions for Jonathan, Patrick and Teuvo.
Q. Patrick, two games does not make a scoring slump normally. Do you feel more heat to score, the pressure to score, in the playoffs?
PATRICK KANE: Yeah, I mean, as an offensive guy, you want to be helping produce, especially at this time of year.
But, you know, we said all along with our team, we don't really care where the goals come from, as long as they're coming from our team.
You know, I think I can help in that area obviously. I think that's one of the reasons I'm on the team. That's one of my jobs here, is to try to produce offense. Hopefully start that up next game.
Q. Jonathan, I know you guys care about winning and nothing else. Can you take a step back the next day and take notice of the aesthetic value of a game like last night?
JONATHAN TOEWS: Yeah, I mean, there's no doubt. I think if I can think back to previous Game 1s of the Stanley Cup Final that we've been part of, it's similar in a way where both teams kind of took their time to try to test the waters, get to know each other a little bit.
I think they came out flying. Maybe we did a little bit more of that for both teams. I think last night you saw it go both ways, especially in the second period, a lot of scoring. Probably some entertaining hockey to watch.
Obviously we want to smarten up and not let them get away with their play-making skills as much as we did yesterday. I think that's something we can expect. It's going to get better and better as the series goes along.
Q. Much is made about you and Patrick playing together, not playing together. It always seems to find a way. Why is it so easy to move in and out with him?
JONATHAN TOEWS: Over the years we've had a lot of experience playing together. Whether it's the two of us or any other combination you want to throw around with some of our forwards, there's a lot of talent, a lot of ability there.
I think you're always open to new possibilities because you know you can go out there and create some offense. There's a lot of upside regardless of who you're playing with.
When they throw Hossa back on my line with Saader and myself, we feel comfortable, especially when we know we have to play smart two-way hockey, the three of us.
Regardless of what Joel decides to do, we'll be ready for the opportunity of trying to mix things up a little bit.
Q. Patrick or Jonathan, what sets Duncan Keith apart from other defensemen in the league?
PATRICK KANE: We said it all along with Dunks, he's a workhorse back there. He not only logs a lot of minutes, but does so much for us offensively, defensively, power play, penalty kill, plays in all those situations, plays the important minutes.
It seems like he is as prepared as anyone to play. He loves playing the game. He's always ready to try to be at his best. He's never satisfied with what he's accomplished. He's a special player, for sure.
Q. Jonathan, Brent Seabrook keeps giving you big goal after big goal. I believe he's got the franchise mark for goals post-season. What does that mean for you to have him out there firing shots?
JONATHAN TOEWS: I mean, he's great in the regular season, too. He always has a knack for scoring overtime winners or goals like we scored last night. Obviously we couldn't capitalize and score the next big one after that.
I feel like you give him the puck in a great situation where he might have a good shot through traffic, he doesn't miss a whole lot of them.
I knew I gave him that puck yesterday, I just had a great feeling he was going to score. Sure enough, he did.
He's been playing great hockey all around, but when he gets the opportunities, makes sure he gets his shots through. He has his head up. At the end of the day we're going to get something off of the offense he's getting. He's been dangerous in a lot of ways for us.
Q. Jonathan and Patrick, the skill set Teuvo has to score, that's important for you when other guys are not scoring. Talk about what you see in him as a young player.
JONATHAN TOEWS: He just keeps getting better and better as he gets more responsibility. Hasn't been easy, I don't imagine, given the fact that he knows what he can do at this level. He has to come in and play behind a lot of guys who have a track record and are going to get the offensive opportunities more often than not.
Every chance he's getting, he's making big plays. He's already doing it in the Stanley Cup Final, so it's pretty amazing to watch. A moment for me yesterday when these two guys were on the ice, you saw their similarities. I think they were in our defensive zone, for some reason they were skating circles, passing the puck to each other. You could see the skill and patience. They were in no hurry.
There's definitely a lot of skill there. Teuvo just keeps getting better and better.
Q. Patrick and Jonathan, you now enjoy home ice for the next couple games. Talk about the effect of having that.
PATRICK KANE: Yeah, it's nice. It's definitely comforting coming back home now. We feel great in this building. We've had some big games here in this playoffs. There's nothing like coming back home to play in front of your own fans.
We'll try to use that to our advantage. I'm sure if there's a game to be ready for, it's definitely tomorrow. I'm sure our crowd will help us get ready for that.
JONATHAN TOEWS: Same way. I think we were in a great situation, not having played our best game in Game 1. We wanted to find a way to steal 2. It didn't happen. I think we did a lot of good things yesterday that we can build upon. We can be excited about going into our own building.
Like Kaner said, I think our fans will be excited to get back. This is where they've wanted to be all year. You see those signs, Bring back the Cup. Everyone has been waiting for this moment. I'm sure everyone will be excited to be back in that building at this stage tomorrow.
Q. Teuvo and Patrick, tomorrow the top prospects will be coming to see the game. Someone like you, who is a young guy, what advice would you give them? And, Patrick, curious about your memory of your day. You had a bit of a celebrity sighting back then.
TEUVO TERAVAINEN: Of course, for them, come see the best hockey in the world right now, Stanley Cup Final. Just for them maybe keep dreaming, keep working hard to getting better, and someday you might be here as well.
PATRICK KANE: I remember I was in Anaheim when the Ducks were playing the Senators, 2007. We actually sat right in front of Snoop Dog. He had a couple kids with him. One was 'Lil Snoop with the LIL apostrophe of course, and the other was Spanky or something (laughter).
They were into the game. It was fun to sit in front of them. They had the George Parros moustaches on and jerseys. They were cheering loud. It was a fun experience.
Q. You say hopefully it starts for you next game. What different things do you feel you need to do in order to jump-start yourself in a series like this?
PATRICK KANE: I think throughout these first couple games, they're a good hockey team. They play pretty stingy defensively. I think coming into the series, a lot of people would think it was run-and-gun, a lot of goals. There's chances there. There's opportunities.
At the same time I think you got to stay positive, stay patient, try not to get too ahead of yourself and start thinking offense all the time.
Maybe make a good defensive play, and that helps translate something going into offense. Try not to think about just scoring goals too much. Just, you know, play your game and try to be confident with the puck, make plays. Hopefully something opens up.
Q. You're all offensive players. In the event you might have to face Vasilevskiy again, what have you been able to glean from the limited exposure to him?
TEUVO TERAVAINEN: Yeah, I guess it's my turn because these guys are talking all the time (laughter).
Yeah, I don't know. I don't really care who's going to be in the net. I know they're good goalies both. Especially I've played against Vasilevskiy twice with the international team, so I know him a little bit. I think I've scored on him before, too.
We'll see who is in there. I don't really care.
Q. Jonathan, your team has a history of measuring your opponent, turning it up when you need to at the end of a series. Is there any indication you've gotten from the first two games that the Lightning are a little bit different animal, you'll have to dig deeper?
JONATHAN TOEWS: Of course. This is the Stanley Cup Final at the end of the day. I don't think it matters what team makes it. It could be 1 through 8, at the end of the day they made it this far for a reason. We like to think that we're going to step up our game beyond where we played in previous series. They're doing the same.
It's going to be a tough test for both teams either way. So we like to think that, yeah, we've been getting better. It's maybe a trend that we like that we get better and better as the games get bigger and bigger. We want to continue that.
But I don't think there's any surprise. We knew they were a good team and they were going to raise their level of play coming into the series. It's not going to get any easier going forward.
Q. Teuvo, when you heard Jonathan earlier talk about you the way he did, how does that make you feel? Do you think you're ready for a bigger role with the Hawks?
TEUVO TERAVAINEN: Yeah, of course. Actually, I didn't listen, too many great words (laughter).
It's just great, of course, being part of this kind of group here. A lot of experience in our group. I just try to learn from those guys. They're helping me, as well.
Q. Jonathan, if tomorrow Trevor Van Riemsdyk gets in the game, he hasn't played in November, coming off injuries, as a captain, will you say anything to him at all about it being the Stanley Cup Final, calm him down a little bit?
JONATHAN TOEWS: I think as a group we just try to make sure that everyone feels comfortable, whether it's anyone who doesn't play a lot of minutes, like Trevor might be getting the first opportunity in a while. Just go out there and keep it simple, do your best to phase everything out, play hockey. You're out there with five other guys. If you make a mistake, it's not the end of the world. We can help each other out.
If it comes to that, we know he'll be ready. We'll be ready to help him out, ease the pressure a little bit.
Q. Jonathan, after last night, Corey said he can't let that happen again. Is he the type of guy that when he demands more from himself, you can expect a good performance the next night?
JONATHAN TOEWS: Yeah, we've seen it early in the playoffs. We've seen it throughout the playoffs up until this point. A lot of people can say he won us the game, he stole us the game in Game 1. Maybe let in a few goals he wasn't happy with yesterday.
But at the end of the day he's always shown that he's ready to absorb that responsibility. Maybe his unfair share of the losses that our team goes through, but he bounces back.
I think more often than not the offense that we give up has a lot to do with sometimes our team getting away from our game and letting a team like Tampa play their rush game, their skill game a little bit too much. It ends up in the back of our net.
But Corey is there trying to back us up. Always takes more than his fair share of the blame.
Like you said, I don't doubt that he's going to be wanting to bounce back if he's talking that way.
Q. Jonathan, you play against a lot of good shutdown players throughout the course of the season. Unknown in Cedric Paquette. How would you describe the type of player that you're playing against and how you think the matchup has gone?
JONATHAN TOEWS: Well, he scored a big goal for them yesterday. Like I've been saying, regardless of who I find myself up against, I know that part of playing smart defensively is trying to make someone worry about the offense you're creating against them.
Obviously his line did that yesterday. So, yeah, I mean, I think regardless of whether Kaner, Hossa are on our line, we need to be smart in our own zone because they're still going to go out there and try to make plays, make us play in our own zone. When we've have the puck, they've been doing a great job of skating on us and not giving us a lot of time. We've just got to keep working, keep that puck down low in their zone as much as we can.
At times we had some good shifts but gave up a little possession too easy.
Q. Patrick, I don't think you had a shot last night. How often has that happened? What do you think was the cause of that?
PATRICK KANE: Yeah, I mean, it's one of those stats that it happens every now and then. At the same time I can't just go out on the ice and worry about shooting the puck. I got to worry about making the right play. If that play is making a pass, and you know, I'll make that play.
It's not a stat you like to see, for sure. At the same time going into the next game, I'm not going to go in saying, I need to get a shot here or there. I just go out and try to make the right play and worry about the results from there.
THE MODERATOR: Thank you, guys.
BRENT SEABROOK
KYLE CUMISKEY
Q. Brent, I believe you're tied for career playoff goals by a defenseman in franchise history. I think you have the most in one post-season by a defenseman. Do you look for your shot more in the post-season as opposed to the regular season or is it about the same? How do you explain all the big goals?
BRENT SEABROOK: I don't think so. I think I'm just out there trying to shoot the puck. It was a great pass last night by Toews. Hossa going to the net hard created a spot there. I didn't know where I was shooting it. I was trying to shoot it as hard as I could, as quick as I could. I didn't know if anybody was behind me. I just let it rip.
Q. We're watching Teuvo Teravainen grow with his play. What do you see not just on the ice, but even off it as far as how much confidence, even his humor come out more these last couple months?
KYLE CUMISKEY: He's a good kid. He's a little quiet at first. He's starting to open up a bit. I played with him down at Rockford, too. He's a really skilled player with a bright future ahead of him, I think.
BRENT SEABROOK: He's been great. He's been a big part of this team for the last four, five months. Being able to see what he can do in the playoffs, he's fearless out there. He has the ability to make plays. Like Cummer said, he's opening up a little bit more and having some fun. It's good to see.
Q. Kyle, coming in you knew it was going to be an interesting role. What sort of challenges have you had when you just get a few shifts or the minutes are down?
KYLE CUMISKEY: It's a little tough when you're not getting out there too often. I think it's something you have to adjust to, make sure you're staying focused, being mentally prepared for every shift. Once you get out there, take your chance, do your job.
Q. Brent, do you even pay attention to your own career stats and marks, where they're going?
BRENT SEABROOK: No.
Q. You don't like that stuff at all?
BRENT SEABROOK: No. I'm not here to make personal gains. We're here to win a Stanley Cup. That's what our team's focused on.
We're in a great spot. It's the best time of the year. We're looking forward to coming out and playing a good game tomorrow night.
Q. Brent, we've talked a lot about the triplets line for Tampa Bay. What makes that line unique in the way they have been sort of a dynamic trio? What makes them difficult to defend against?
BRENT SEABROOK: I think their familiarity with each other. They all seem to know where each other are. They're all highly skilled. They can all skate. They're not afraid to mix it up and get in the dirty areas, go to the net and whatnot.
Yeah, they're three great players that have that ability to find each other in tight areas and make plays, be it a shot, a tip, making a pass backdoor. You got to be aware of them.
Q. Brent, you've been here a while before the Hawks were such a hot ticket. Did you find it humorous, about not letting Hawks fans wear their sweaters in the arena down there?
BRENT SEABROOK: I didn't pay much attention to it. I didn't really know what was going on with how that was going.
We had a good turnout in Chicago. We always travel very well. In Tampa Bay, sorry. It's fun to see Chicago jerseys in the crowd, being able to get cheers when we score goals, things like that. It's definitely fun.
Q. Brent, what sets Duncan Keith apart from other defensemen you've been around, either played with or against?
BRENT SEABROOK: I think a lot of things. But I think, you know, his compete level, his battle level. He's obviously got the skills and the qualities that everybody sees night in, night out. Nobody wants to win more than that guy. He's going to do whatever it takes.
He's one of those special, special athletes that, you know, won't give up. He's fun to have been around and watched him progress into this player that he is. I think, like I said, he's got so many great qualities that set him apart from different players in the league that make him great.
Q. Brent, how does it affect your game or how you feel about your game when you do get on the score sheet and are productive?
BRENT SEABROOK: It's nice to contribute. I think you're always trying to contribute whatever way you can, whether it's block a shot, make a big hit to try to change momentum, score a goal, make a nice play.
We're out there trying to make plays every game, every night, just trying to help our team win. That's the biggest thing. It's nice to contribute with a goal, but there are a lot of other things that go into the game.
Q. You played with Corey Crawford a lot. He was tough on himself last night. How do you think he'll rebound?
BRENT SEABROOK: I think Corey is great. He's a great goaltender. He's shown throughout his career that he can bounce back and become the guy that we need and everybody expects him to be.
I think last night we could have helped him out a lot more than we did. He did make some big saves at big points throughout last night's game, and especially in Game 1.
We got to be better as a group and be better in front of him, too.
Q. Brent, all teams enjoy home ice advantage when they have it. What is it like for you guys playing in this building?
BRENT SEABROOK: We're excited to get back here in front of our fans. We got great fans. It's going to be loud tomorrow night. We're looking forward to getting out and getting on the ice tomorrow night.
We have fun in this building. The fans do a great job of getting us pumped up and ready to go.
Q. Kyle, do you look at the talent on both sides and sort of analyze it in terms of could you have imagined a matchup that would provide as much offensive talent in the league in this Cup Final?
KYLE CUMISKEY: It's pretty impressive when you take a look at both teams. The amount of skill and speed on both sides. It's really fast hockey out there, really skilled. It's definitely fun to be out there playing. I'm sure it's making for a great series to watch so far.
Q. Brent, there's a lot of discussion through a couple of games about how fast this series is. Jonathan talked about maybe you guys having to adjust a little bit to that in the first game. Is this some of the fastest hockey you've ever played? Do you think it took you guys a little bit to adjust?
BRENT SEABROOK: I don't know about the adjustment period. I mean, the first period of Game 1, looked like we were standing still and they were flying.
But, you know, it's a fast series. They're a fast team. We're a fast team. I think both teams move the puck extremely well. The defense jump up and create, you know, odd?man rushes, four or five guys skating up the ice.
It's a fast series. It's fast when you're out there. I don't know what it looks like on TV. It's been a fast series so far. I'm sure, you know, it's not going to stop.
Q. Obviously Tampa had a goalie change yesterday. Your team in the past has had a couple goalie changes here and there. Does that change the way you play at all when that happens or are you trying to avoid it changing the way you play?
KYLE CUMISKEY: I think when something like that happens, you just take advantage of a cold netminder coming in, try to get as many shots on net from any angle, just test him, take advantage of the opportunity if he's not in the game yet.
Q. Brent, if Trevor Van Riemsdyk were to get into the series at some point, what kind of advice would you give him before he goes out there?
BRENT SEABROOK: Just to enjoy it. It's hockey. It's a game. They're big games, but it's just another hockey game. You want to try to take as much nervousness out of him as you can.
I don't know what else you'd say. I think you'd just sort of try to keep him calm, let him play his game. He's a great player. If he plays his game, he'll be fine, so...
Q. In the event you would have to face Vasilevskiy, because there is a limited body of work there, you haven't gotten to see him much, how do you approach that?
BRENT SEABROOK: I think you approach any goalie the same way. He's played great for them the last, I don't know, five or six minutes the last game. You want to try to continue to get pucks and bodies at the net, make it tough for him to see. Get traffic. That's pretty much what you want to try to do.
I'm sure if that's the case, the coaches will look into it more than what we know about him. But, you know, it's just sort of along the same lines as playing either goalies. They're both big, both great goaltenders. We just got to try to find ways to put the puck in the net.
THE MODERATOR: Thanks, guys.
Questions for coach.
COACH JOEL QUENNEVILLE
Q. Is there a possibility if Trevor is playing tomorrow?
COACH QUENNEVILLE: Could play.
Q. Joel, Patrick Kane's game, two games does not make a scoring slump, but what have you seen from him? Can you assess his game so far in this series? What more does he need to do?
COACH QUENNEVILLE: I think that line's had some decent looks. They didn't have the production they did in the last couple games of the Anaheim series. Certainly they've had some zone time, they've had some rush chances. They've made them defend. We split them up a little bit in the third, saw how that worked out.
But, you know, their team defense is aggressive. There's not a lot of room and time. I think that maybe changing those two guys on different lines will get us a little bit more depth and a little bit more balance, see how they can defend it.
Q. With Teuvo yesterday you talked about him getting on the power play, not playing much before he scores a goal. Is that showing his overall comfort level or part of what a skilled player does?
COACH QUENNEVILLE: He can see plays, makes plays. You like his patience level when he does have the puck. I think he did settle down in a couple tight situations. Nice give-and-go feed.
I think he's starting to think shot, which is really going to enhance his game and his scoring as well. Very timely goal for us. It didn't work out in our favor at the end. I think offensively he's getting a little bit more comfortable with the puck. I think off of that, it should enhance his game.
Q. What is Bickell's status?
COACH QUENNEVILLE: Could play.
Q. Whatever he had is gone?
COACH QUENNEVILLE: I think he's healthy.
Q. In regard to Brent Seabrook, we do a lot of talking about Duncan Keith, rightfully so. How impressed have you been with Brent, especially in these playoffs? How big has he been playing the minutes he's played?
COACH QUENNEVILLE: I think he's had an outstanding playoff. Each series, each round I think there's progression. He really seems to rise to the big moments in these games. I think he's a real presence. Scored a huge goal for us last night. Scored some huge goals for us throughout the playoffs.
I think defensively he's defending with a real physical presence to him. I think he's getting up in the play. He's been very noticeable as the playoffs and this series has gone on in a short time. He's a big factor, having a real good playoff.
Q. Joel, normally coaches are the last guys that care about this. Can you sit back at all and look at last night's entertainment value, the pace of the game, respect that?
COACH QUENNEVILLE: It kind of reminds me of our last series with Anaheim. The games, how competitive, how close, how fast, up and down. I thought Game 1 was a little bit similar to that.
But the games are on the line from start to finish. I think there's a lot of respect from our team what Tampa Bay is able to do, the quality of their team. They got some depth. We got to know going forward we got to be better than we were in the first two games. We have to progress in our team game because we haven't played our best yet. But certainly we have to be better if we want to win.
Q. In the first two games, there hasn't been a lot of room to breathe, especially for Patrick Kane. If Bickell can play, is that one area that could maybe help out there if he's on the same line with Kane?
COACH QUENNEVILLE: We'll see on that. Certainly I think splitting those two up gives you a little bit more freedom as far as whether it's room or something for them to be concerned with. I think a little bit more balance to our offense is why we usually keep them apart. We'll see how that progresses.
But they do like playing with one another. It certainly enhances the offense when they are together. But certainly the balance is something we'll look at.
Q. In past playoffs when Patrick has gone through a mini scoring slump, I stress 'mini', he says he needs to demand the puck more. Do you think he needs to demand the puck more?
COACH QUENNEVILLE: Maybe playing with those two guys the puck is shared, whether it's equally or not. I think Kaner is most effective when he has the puck. He wants the puck. He can do a lot of good things with it. That's why a lot of times they're not together.
But I find he plays his best hockey the more he gets the puck. He does a good job himself of finding a way to get the puck. His linemates are part of that, too. He's a much better player with the puck.
Q. Patrick I don't think had a shot on goal last night. Is that an alarming stat to you? Long time since he's done that. Is that part of the problem last night?
COACH QUENNEVILLE: He didn't show up on the score sheet. Whether it's his shots or a threat to score. I thought that line did some good things. He was down with the two?on?one with Saader that looked like almost a breakaway, some other things that were materializing that were dangerous.
Obviously certain games, your top guys aren't going to appear on the score sheet or look like they're shut down. I still think they consume a lot of the other team's priorities as far as being aware defensively.
So in two games he's been fine. I haven't minded his game. I think he's been a threat. But obviously we would like to see some production across the board. I don't care what line steps up. I think certainly our team could be more effective in the offensive zone.
Q. Aside from the crazy atmosphere tomorrow, how are you looking forward to being at home?
COACH QUENNEVILLE: We'll see. We haven't been here for a while seems like. We've been away. It's great to be back. I'm sure everybody will be excited we'll be playing at home. The matchups, we'll see how it all plays out.
In the first two games, I thought everybody saw one another at some point in the first two games.
Q. How much is their goalie situation on your radar?
COACH QUENNEVILLE: We can't be concerned about their goalie. I think it's what we have to do to make it tough on their goalies, is what we talk about. I think getting to the net and being as disruptive as we can, we need more traffic, we need more shots. Whoever is in net, let's get to them.
Q. I know you're concentrating on hockey. Midnight Hawk, who is trained by Bob Baffert, have you talked with Bob or thought about the Triple Crown?
COACH QUENNEVILLE: I'm very happy for him. Watched the race. Great race. I texted him. Great for the sport. Quite an achievement.
THE MODERATOR: Thank you.
COACH QUENNEVILLE: Thank you.
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