Doug MacLean Quotations

Bryan had surgery in Los Angeles, and the response I got was very, very positive. They expect a quick and full recovery. They're very optimistic.

He has been consistently good. He?s young (25), he skates well, he moves the puck, he makes good decisions. Does he have a future here? Big time. Big time.

He is an expensive player, but we feel good about it.

He is a highly regarded leader, teacher and coach and is respected as much as anyone associated with our game.

He has played with the game's best players in Mario Lemieux and Jaromir Jagr and has also excelled in a more defensive-minded role, so he has proven himself in all situations. He will be a great complement to our group of forwards.

He is a dynamic player, a game-breaking player.

He?s played really well. I told him (Tuesday) that he has played as well lately as he has played in a long time.

He is one of the league's most gifted players and a proven winner who will bring tremendous experience, speed and playmaking abilities to our lineup (and) still has a tremendous skill level and is excited to play. He'll be a terrific addition.

I think we are as good as most teams in the West. When we are healthy we will challenge most teams.

I would like to believe it was an unbelievable recruiting job, but I don't think that was the case. We came in under the radar as we like to do.

We have very high expectations for our team moving forward and are thrilled that Rusty is going to be an integral part of our franchise.

We're trying to trade him. I've been working with his agent (Lewis Gross) since last night trying to make a deal to move him. The two of us have worked the phone lines, we've talked to a few teams about him. So that's where it stands right now.

This was a nice opportunity to pay them back.

Now Cale?s got a chance to play in the playoffs. And he?s got a chance to play for a contract next season.

There were a lot of nights I went home and I said to myself, 'Where did I go wrong here?

Absolutely, absolutely, totally, totally false. I'm wondering how to say it any stronger.

It's been a trying weekend because there was a lot of discussion with a lot of teams. I hoped when I put him back on waivers, because of all the discussions I was having with those teams, that someone would take him.

It?s different this year than in the past. I?m not trying to move anybody, and I?m not trying to acquire anybody. I?m listening, but I?m not calling. And right now, I?m not hearing anything that makes me want to do something. I?d like to establish a little stability.

Never say never. But really, there?s not a lot happening. At least not involving us.

The last 50 games, we've proven that we're a team that's getting better.

I like the job Gerard has done with a healthy team.

I posed it to him as a challenge. He was successful in Colorado helping them win a championship. Now it is another phase of his career to help us get there.

Cale Hulse is a tremendous person who came in and did everything we asked of him during his time with the Blue Jackets. This move will give him an opportunity to play in his hometown and we wish him all the best.

Cam is a big, physical forward who plays with a lot of grit and will add some size and toughness to our group of forwards.

But having said that, we all want to win. And they have.

Because he wants to play. He really wants to get back out there, and the kid has played really well for us.

He?s a prospect. I feel comfortable calling him a prospect.

The draft is a special, special event for all hockey people. It will make this city the center of the hockey universe for those few days in June.