Conference Call: Charlie Lindgren

MONTREAL - Goaltender Charlie Lindgren took some time on Thursday afternoon to chat with reporters.

He discussed everything from his tenure with the Canadiens thus far to his efforts to stay ready if the NHL season resumes.

Here are a few excerpts from his Q&A session.

Questions from Eric Engels, Rogers Sportsnet

As you've had some time off here, have you been able to put your time with the Canadiens in perspective over the last five years? How would you characterize this time that you've spent in the organization?

It's been awesome. It makes me feel blessed. The organization, it's first-class. I've been blessed with some unbelievable teammates so far in my first five years, and it's just a great place to play. The fans are the best in the League, and going up to Montreal, I know when I first signed, I definitely haven't been disappointed.

It's been a bumpy road, to this point, considering how many people have been brought in when it looked as though you'd be given an opportunity. I'm curious how you reacted to the news that the Canadiens signed a Russian goaltender a couple of weeks ago and how you see yourself in the depth chart and what your opportunity is moving forward?

I saw that they signed a goalie from the KHL. To be honest, it didn't really have too much of an effect on my psyche at all, actually. I still feel like I'm in a good position. I still feel like it's my job to lose. I need to seize the opportunity. I thought I played pretty well in the games that I got in Montreal last year, so I've just got to work hard and have a good training camp next year, obviously. I know nothing's given to me and I've got to earn it.

Questions from Jean-François Chaumont, Le Journal de Montréal

At the end of the season, from maybe February on, Carey Price was playing a lot. You started only two games at the end of the year. With the team being basically out of the playoff picture, were you surprised to see that you weren't playing that much at the end of the year?

Carey's the best goalie in the League. He's a guy that, when he's healthy, you want him in the net. He gives the team a chance to win every single night. My job is just to stay ready. That's what I was trying to do. I was working hard in practice, I was learning from Carey, I was learning from Steph Waite. I wasn't too focused on not playing. I was more focused on making sure I was getting better every single day, and plus watching Carey, too, in my opinion, I can learn a lot that way, so my focus was on getting better every single day.

You're 26 years old. You now have more experience as a pro. Do you believe that you're ready for a full-time job in the NHL, probably as a backup, next season?

One hundred percent. I fully believe that. I know if you asked the guys on the team, they would fully believe that. I think I'm a great teammate. I think I can give the team a chance to win every single night I'm in the net, and I work hard, so I fully believe that I am and my teammates do, too.

Question from Renaud Lavoie, TVA Sports

I know it's tough for everybody right now because all the players can't go on the ice. It's the same for goaltenders, obviously. Are you going to tweak something during the summer, when we know exactly when the next season is going to start? Are you going to try to change the way you do your summer training or it's going to stay the same?

I think it'll mostly stay the same. It's a weird time right now that we're in, but I'm just trying to stay healthy. I think I'm still in great shape, working hard every single day, working on my quickness and hand-eye, so whenever the puck drops again, I know I'll definitely be ready.

Question from Douglas Gelevan, CBC Montreal

I'm just wondering how things have been in Minneapolis since the shutdown and what you've been up to in order to keep yourself occupied and sharp and ready to return?

It's probably been like it has been in Montreal, a lot of staying inside, not trying to surround yourself with many people. I've got a stationary bike in the basement, I've got some dumbbells, and I've played a lot of tennis. Those are some things I've been doing to try and stay in shape and make sure that I'm ready when the next puck drop happens. It's a difficult time, it's a strange time, but I'm just trying to be as safe as possible and make sure at the same time I'm staying in shape.

Question from Pat Hickey, Montreal Gazette

You finished the season as the backup guy, and you feel it's your position to continue on in that role, but how important will it be to get back and play a few games if they do resume the season?

That's obviously something I think about. I know when the season gets back going, I've obviously got to be in tip-top shape and I've got to be ready to rock. For myself, there's no complacency at all. It's about staying ready and knowing when I get back that I can be a difference-maker. That's kind of my mindset. That's why I want to have the season, because I want to get in and play some more games. But health and safety is the number one thing. I've just got to stay ready, which I know I am.