Do you see yourself as someone who can help fill the Bruins’ leadership void this season?
“Oh, 100 percent. I think I have that role. I try to lead a lot of my play on the ice, but when you have too many good leaders, and we are spoiled with so many great leaders in. the locker room, you almost never have to be the guy who steps up to say something. But now it’s time for other guys to do it and I think it falls naturally to some guys. There aren’t 12 guys between stages standing up and talking. You have certain voices that people want to hear and now it can be an opportunity for other guys to step up and continue that legacy.”
What is one example of the legacy that Bergeron and Krejci left behind that can be continued?
“I always tell people that I wish everyone had the opportunity to be with them and play with a guy like Bergeron, but it’s also something that doesn’t happen by being with him a little bit. Even seeing the ‘Marchy’ (Brad Marchand) now, you have guys who have had a lot of success and been great players in the League for a long time. You understand why because you see what they do day in and day out, but if what they do in a day. -now basis is what feeds the rest of us. They always come in to put the work in. They are always super nice to all the staff, to everyone. They always treat everyone with respect. Whether it’s a rookie or a superstar coming into the team, they always treat them the same. At the end of the day, it’s an individual game in some ways but you have to be a team to make a thing, and we found that balance in the locker room and It’s something that we have to continue. We are very good at selecting players who have the same personality, are respectful and want to work, will put in the extra work needed to win in this league.
Are you a locker room talker?
“Yes, I can improve if it’s the right time. I’m always the leader who wants to lead my game. If we score, I want to be the next guy there to show that I’m ready to improve and play. In my think that’s one way I want to lead and after talking I’m the guy who chooses the right places rather than being the guy who talks for the sake of talking.”
The way last season ended for the Bruins was obviously tough, but for you it was painful, too. How is everyone and how are you feeling?
“I feel good. It took a while. I’m a little worried, I’m not going to lie, in the middle of summer there when I can’t really run and jump. But from what I hear my doctors are not too worried. It’s good that they support me with the whole staff back in Boston. The feet took a long time to heal. That’s what I realized. I don’t plan on getting another shot in my foot, that’s something In my style of play I have to be active and skating around.”
Where do you really feel it affects you in the playoffs?
“I didn’t even know I was injured until later. Sometimes it doesn’t show up right away on the X-ray. When you go to the X-ray room, you almost pray to God it’s not a fracture and it’s so obvious which hurt so much that at first I thought it was a bone bruise. But then it never got better. I was playing no matter what and after a while when I checked it. it was broken. I didn’t notice at the time. It should have been I changed things, but I could have played it. You learn some things about yourself and you have to adjust your game a little bit. I thought I had a little bit more to give but my foot held me back a little bit. You also have to learn ways to play things like that. It’s part of the game. You’re not always healthy. That’s just hockey, and you have to play and learn from it. “
Do the Bruins have anything to prove this season?
“Yes. 100 percent. There are no times to waste because you learn the most from your biggest losses. Everyone knows to take their part. We have a great opportunity to do something good. We have a very good team and that always goes there. If you ask any athlete, they always remember the losses, the missed opportunities, more than the victories. year that we still have that loss.”
Did you personally play at a higher level last season than you did when you were with the Anaheim Ducks?
“I think I have that game. If you look at how I played when I played in Sweden when I was younger that’s always been my style of play. I think this style of hockey coming to Boston , it’s just more suited to what kind of player I am. I think I was held back a little bit from the way I wanted to play when I played in Anaheim. When I get to know all the young hockey players, always like i said it’s frustrating when you do too much work and you never get a reward the next day, but you put that in the bank and you don’t know when it’s going to be taken out. always really confident in my abilities and what I can do and what I can do to help the team win, so I’m not surprised. a little more wind in your sail, but for me personally I have more to give and I feel that it’s better this summer now that my foot is on the mend so I’m really looking forward to the season.”
You said you felt like you were being held back in Anaheim. In what way? And how did you get released in Boston?
“Restricted in a way that maybe doesn’t always fit my role and also the style of hockey we play, which is less standing on the blue line. , skate up, join the rush. Use your skating to your advantage. That kind of hockey suits me very well.”