Patrick Marleau was a guest on the Spittin' Chiclets podcast on Monday, where he spoke about life since the NHL season went on pause, how the game has changed over the course of his long career, and more.
Here are some of the highlights.
ON KEEPING IN TOUCH WITH TEAMMATES DURING THE SHUTDOWN
"There's always something going on, it seems like. We're all pretty involved with the (NHLPA), and there's always some questions on what's going on. Everyone is asking questions about what's going to happen, what we're looking forward to. Knowing how to get ready for what's coming next, when the season is going to start again. Everyone is trying to figure out when that date is going to be."
ON THE GAME GETTING FASTER
"I enjoy working out, I enjoy doing all of those things still. So I think that bodes well for me. But one thing I have changed is I usually take a lot more time off the ice just to stay in it. I know guys are doing it throughout the league where they don't take time off the ice. They're skating throughout the summer. I've started doing that more, it kind of helps, I kind of like it. I like switching things up just to keep it fresh.
"Going with skills coaches too. Auston (Matthews), last summer had a (coach) come to Arizona to do skills work, some guys flew in for it. I went and did it for awhile. He's got me trying to do these things on the ice, I'm falling down on my ass left and right. It's challenging, trying to learn new tricks and new things. Who knows if I'm using it on the ice or not. It's nice at least to put the work in and try to learn something new."
ON HOW GOAL SCORING HAS CHANGED
"The goal-scorers like Matthews and David (Pastrnak), they're finding areas away from the slot, way back door, different areas guys aren't covering. They're getting the puck, they're playing with good players that can get them the puck and see the ice really well. It's definitely gone from right in the middle to backside, out of that home plate. Those guys are good at it."
ON HIS RELATIONSHIP WITH MIKE BABCOCK IN TORONTO
"Babs was good to me I think, when I came in. Definitely when I came in Toronto was about supporting the young guys, the core guys that were there. That was his big focus at that time for me."
ON HIS LONGEVITY
"Luck, maybe. Luck and working with great trainers, the training staff. (Sharks trainer) Mike Potenza, our strength coach here has been great. You have to have a support team. Chiropractors, massage therapists, I have another guy here, Tobe Hanson. It's like torture, he digs his fingers into all these points on your body."
ON HOW LONG HE WANTS TO KEEP PLAYING
"I still love it, I have a passion for it. I'm trying to find that ring. That's still pushing me to play, trying to win that championship. It would be outstanding to be able to hoist that Stanley Cup and get that ring. I still have fun doing it, still love it, love competing out there. We'll see how long the wife and kids let me. Right now the kids are older so they want me to keep going. That helps a lot."
The full episode can be heard here. Marleau joins the show at 1:14:44:
To continue reading, log into your account:
