On all the injuries and how the Coyotes have managed to be two points out of playoff position:
"It's a great question. I think it comes down to leadership. The coach is the ultimate leader and Rick Tocchet has done a phenomenal job of keeping everyone on task and being optimistic. There are sometimes when you look at the lineup and it's tough; you're missing core pieces. It's not just the injuries even though we lead the League in man games lost, but it's two to three top-nine centers, a top-four defenseman, our starting goalie. It's those types of things that are tough to overcome. It's not just to our depth, these are key guys. But it's also been a credit to the leadership of our players. Oliver Ekman-Larsson, first year as a captain, I think he's done a fabulous job navigating through the adversity. Niklas Hjalmarsson, I don't think he gets fazed by anything. He's the same guy every single day. His preparation, his will to win, it's just been phenomenal. Step is a big part of that. [Alex] Goligoski, his last 20-30 games, have been fabulous."
On if there is something to be said for playing meaningful games now for the young guys on the roster, even if they don't lead to a playoff berth:
"Absolutely. Everyone wants to make the playoffs and everyone wants to win the Stanley Cup, but not everyone wants to go through the process of doing those things. Right now, we're going through that. It's step by step. Our young guys are learning trial by fire now. At the same time, we have some guys like Step and Hjalmarsson and Goligoski who have gone through the process and can help them through the process. But yeah, it's great to be back playing meaningful games. Every game matters, every play matters and for guys like Clayton Keller, Jakob Chychrun, Christian Dvorak, Christian Fischer, these guys, it's invaluable for them to get that experience. That was our goal coming in: let's be in this position basically, if not better, but at least be in this position. We are, so that's a good thing."
On if he worries at all about the balance between being in this position on the playoff bubble and wanting more and being in this position and being content:
"Not at all. Our guys have had success at other levels and leagues and they're wired to win, and that's their goal. No, I don't get the sense that there's any type of let up or we're content with anything. With our injuries, that's been the key, game by game. We've got Anaheim [Tuesday], and that's all our guys are focused on. They'll deal with the rest as it comes."
On how he evaluates Tocchet's ability to manage the adversity:
"He's been awesome. He's a phenomenal coach, he really is. I don't know if he gets as much credit as he should, but he should be getting all of it in terms of we wouldn't be where we are without him. Level-headed is the word. He and I have a lot of discussions; sometimes I'm the upset one and sometimes he's the upset one, but ultimately after we talk it out he comes out with a good mind frame, goes and talks to our players and gets the job done, and he's done an amazing job of that."