Vincent Trocheck was on NHL Network last Thursday and said the following about joining the Rangers:
- Why the Rangers, “there were a few things we were talking at, me and my agent, from a standpoint of what would be a good fit and obviously NY has a great team and a lot of young talent, played against them last year in the playoffs, a tough team to play against, a lot of firepower and the opportunity to win was obviously one of the main factors and having Gallant there and having had him as a coach before in Florida was another factor and the opportunity to go there, in NYC, and to have a chance to win a Stanley Cup is a huge thing in my career that I’d like to do. Took all those in as factors.”
- What did you learn from that series loss to the Rangers, “playoffs are tough, man. It’s hard to win a Stanley Cup. Every game really matters, every period really matters. For our team in Carolina last year, we had a really good home ice advantage, won pretty much all of our games except for Game 7 against NY at home. We just couldn’t put it together on the road and it was just a matter of not taking any shift or period for granted, it’s one team to beat as the team learned against NY. As confident as you are and I think we were pretty confident, if you go down one game or you even if think you have Game 7 at home, anything can happen in the playoffs and any team can beat any team. It’s just making sure you don’t take any shift or period for granted.”
- Why is Gallant such a good ‘players coach,’ “everybody says players’ coach and he really is, he is about as big a players’ coach as it gets. He stands behind his players 100%, he takes the blame 100% of the time, even when it’s not his fault and you are just able to talk to him and he’s honest. When I was in Florida, my first couple of years he was there and I remember getting healthy scratched like 20-games in my first season and he’s just straight up with you, he’s going to tell you what you are doing wrong and what to do to get back in the lineup. The way he goes about it, you stick the system, he has a great way of explaining your opponents. I remember we had a playoff series against the Islanders in my second year in Florida, his structure, the way he kind of went about the game plan for the team we were playing against was phenomenal and he’s just a good person, easy to talk to and all the guys love him.”
- Have you started looking for a place in NY, “We did find a place in NY, luckily, it was not easy finding a place…the market right now is crazy, so finding a place in NY was tough, but we were able to find one and luckily had some help getting the kids into school already. We are getting there and move in in a couple of weeks and hopefully things go smoothly.”
- On his pride in his faceoff work, “I take a lot of pride in faceoffs. I played center my whole life, I’ve never played a different position, so I’ve been taking faceoffs since I’m 5/6 years old. It’s definitely an art form and changing a lot as the game grows. It’s becoming more technical and creative and it’s not strength on strength anymore. I remember Giroux started this move that he would do that I just found miserable to go against and he beat me every time and guys were getting their foot in the circle and now it seems like 75% of the league is starting to use that same move. You gotta know your opponent, a little bit of a mind game, too. It’s a big part of the game, I mean, you need to have the puck if you are going to win games and it starts with faceoffs.”
- On getting to play with Panarin, “He’s a world class player, unbelievable playmaker, watching him is just fun as a fan. The opportunity to maybe play with him would be extremely special, I’ve never had the chance to play with a player like him in my career yet, so if I am able to play with him it will be a lot of fun.”
- On having Shesterkin on his team, “It’s going to be nice not having to go against him in games, he kind of takes the confidence away from you a little bit just knowing he is on the other end.”