VGK.com: Gerard and the players haven't used the goalie carousel as an excuse after losses.
GM: We're just, as an organization, we're not going to allow for excuses. There's no excuses that we're ever going to come up with. Gerard has done a terrific job of having this team ready to play every night. If our team is playing the game that we can play, we're going to protect the goaltenders and we're going to have a chance to win. Doesn't matter who's in net, if you're not protecting them it's hard to win. Gerard has done a terrific job in the way we play and how hard these guys play every night. The goaltenders have been there for us.
William Karlsson](https://www.nhl.com/goldenknights/news/catching-up-with-william-karlsson/c-293216344)
VGK.com: There were lots of coaches to choose from but Gallant was the choice. Are you pleased?
GM: Couldn't be happier. He is everything we had hoped for. This was the kind of coach that we wanted to lead this organization. To come in with lots of experience, to come in with a plan and a sense of calm. His comportment on the bench sort of demonstrates that. He's calm, he's fair to the players and they play hard for him. He's demanding in the right ways and I don't think the players are afraid of him. I think the better way to describe it is they don't ever want to let him down. He's just what we wanted. He knows what he's doing and the players have certainly responded well to him.
VGK.com: The players say Gallant respects them which fosters respect from them to him. He has a way with players. They don't want to let him down.
GM: Everyone deserves respect. Everyone in our organization deserves respect. That starts from the top, but it works from the bottom up. Gerard is just a terrific human being who happens to understand this game very, very well. The combination of his instincts, his respect for people, his demeanor, his personality has been perfect for this hockey club.
VGK.com: Lots of people expect you to sell off players in order to accrue draft picks. Is that still the case?
GM: We certainly have a plan, but in this business it changes every day. I don't know what will take place over the next three or four months. What we do know is that we're here to compete every day. We're going to practice hard and we're going to play hard. We'll see what it takes and what develops four months from now remains to be seen. We're here to compete and win hockey games.
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VGK.com: This franchise has created opportunity from the top down.
GM: When everyone has this opportunity, it creates this incredibly positive atmosphere. We've learned this by talking to previous GMs who have gone through this. What was important to us was to really create the right culture here. It's not a cliché. We had to do it right here and we are proud of what we're creating in terms of culture. We believe that is what's been a big part in helping us win. When it comes to the players in term of the culture, it's about talking about this team as a team and not talking about individuals. We have so many guys that have met and exceeded our expectations. These are the unknown surprises that Doug Risebrough talked about. That was one of our takeaways from him. Don't get big names, because big names may not be around in a few years. Get guys that people may have never heard of right now at the expansion draft, but they sure know who they are now. So we've got some guys that have been exceptional. We've got a team that has been very, very good. That's our emphasis and I wouldn't feel right talking about individuals, because there's so many that have done well.