USA TODAY Sports
The Florida Panthers arrived at the BB&T Center today to undergo physicals and meet with the media. You can watch full interviews over at the Panthers home page. Here are some quotes from general manager Dale Tallon and some other Panther players.
(all quotes courtesy of floridapanthers.com)
Dale Tallon:
On Tim Thomas and Ilya Bryzgalov
"They’re veteran guys who have won. We’re looking at everything, we’re not in a position not to look at anything and we want to get better."
On Thomas and Bryzgaov both having a reputation of being flakey
"The puck doesn’t know they’re flakey."
On Thomas wanting to be a starter
"Well I certainly don’t want to sign a goalie that says he wants to be a backup. I want somebody that wants to be the guy."
On when the Panthers could hear from Thomas, Bryzgalov or maybe Jose Theodore
"I’m hoping today, tomorrow, hopefully before the weekend."
On the opportunities to make the team
"I’m telling everybody at training camp today that they have to compete for a job […] no guarantees to anybody."
On injuries
"Everybody’s on pace to start the season."
On Ed Jovanovski’s injury status
"Jovo we don’t know about for sure if he’s going to be ready for the start of the season, but he’ll be ready soon."
Brian Campbell
On missing the playoffs last season
"Its really tough. You want a shot to win it all. For us, that stings a lot. Its not a good feeling."
On Jonathan Huberdeau
"He exceeded my expectations. He’s a great, great person off the ice which is a great quality you like to see in a young kid coming […] We’re going to rely on him heavily."
Jacob Markstrom
On his expectations for the upcoming season
"I really want to be the starting goalie, and that’s nothing to be shy about. I’m here to play, and I really want to play, and I really want to play good and help the team win."
On Thomas or Bryzgalov potentially joining the team in camp
"My job is to play goalie and play as good as I can. It doesn’t matter who they take. I don’t put a lot of thought in that."
On his experience last season
"Last year I played more games than I ever did up in the NHL, and I know what it takes. I’ve been a part of ups and downs and so right now I’m just super excited to get this going."
Brad Boyes
On his tryout with the Panthers
"It something that for me, its an opportunity and obviously I want to make the most of it."
On playing with no contract
"This is new to me but its a different mindset. Its something I definitely have to go out there and earn and know nothing is given to me."
On if he still has a 20 goal season in him
"I plan on it. At least."