The players on Suzuki: 'He leads by example'

LAVAL-SUR-LE-LAC -- Once captain Nick Suzuki and alternate captains Joel Edmundson and Brendan Gallagher concluded their respective media availabilities, several more players fielded questions from reporters.

Here are some highlights from their press conferences:
Jake Allen on seeing more action this season with Carey Price on LTIR:
It's a great opportunity for me. Coming here three years ago, I never would have expected this. Playing behind Carey Price, you don't ever expect this. But, that's how quick things can change in this game, and obviously it's unfortunate we don't have Pricer with us because we're a better team with him. For me personally, though, it's another great chance to play some more games in a role that in the grand scheme of things I think I've had more or less in the last two years with the injuries and situations. It's just another chance to build my game and help this team, guide them along, and sort of be a steady presence back there.

Cole Caufield on the abundance of veteran forwards on the roster:
It's perfect. I think it's something that everybody wants, competition within the room. We did a good job of that this summer, getting some guys that will push the pace in practice and do a lot of things for us during games, so we're really excited with the group we've got.

Mike Matheson on helping the team's young defensemen:
You realize pretty quickly when you're young how difficult it is to play in the NHL and to be at your best every night for 82 games and into the playoffs. They've made it this far without me, so it's not like I'm going to come in and be in their ear or anything like that. They're here on their own rights and deserve to be here, so maybe if they have any questions about tricks that might work, whether it's about recovery or mentally staying in it or keeping your confidence when things are tough, that's great if I can do that.

Josh Anderson on training with first-overall pick Juraj Slafkovsky:
The first day I actually saw him, for an 18-year-old to be that size, that's a very rare breed. And how thick he is, too, not only how tall he is. Getting to skate with him this summer, you can see that he uses his size very well on the ice, protects pucks, and has good hands for a big boy, so the future's bright for him. I'm excited to see what he does in camp and what he does this year.

Jonathan Drouin on Suzuki being named captain:
He's good with everybody. He's so calm with rookies and veterans alike, and he speaks well. He also handles himself well on the ice, and he has a good attitude. Nick's also a good player. That's why he was named captain. It isn't because he talks a lot and he's loud. He's calm and his game speaks for itself.

Sam Montembeault on playing behind a younger group of defensemen:
Some of the guys might be young, but we have some veteran guys, too, like Savard and Edmundson. They're both good leaders in the room. I know the young guys can lean on them during the season. They'll learn from them. We might not be starting the season with a lot of experience on the back end, but these young guys will improve as the season continues.

David Savard on Suzuki's leadership qualities:
He leads by example, by the way he prepares and practices. He might still be young, but he's very mature. If you didn't know his age, you wouldn't think that he's only 23. You would think that he's already been in the NHL for a long time. The fact that he was surrounded by good veterans really helped. He does the right things at the right time. He's good with everyone and he brings everyone together, and the guys will follow him.