"First full year, I remember I was scratched in San Jose on a back-to-back. It was Billy (Peters) at the time and I talked to him. I think the outside world makes a bigger deal (out of it) than it really is. When you're a young guy and you're trying to become a full-time NHLer, it's hard. I don't think people really realize how many games we actually play. It's different when if you're playing in Europe or the AHL... Here, it's a game night-in and night-out. In the AHL, you usually play Friday-Saturday and then have a full week of practice.
"In my opinion, it's not the end of the world - especially for a young guy, I think, it's something you need to learn and something you need to go through. Sometimes, honestly, it's good for you to sit and watch and take a step back and kind of focus and get that hunger. ... It's a learning process for everyone, doesn't matter who you are. I remember I had to take a step back and think about what I had to do to stay in the lineup night-in and night-out.
"It can be good for you if you handle it well."