Quick not yet 100% but on track and optimistic

There was guarded optimism at Toyota Sports Center on Friday when Jonathan Quick, who underwent wrist surgery on June 24, joined his team on the ice and appeared no worse for the wear after the first team-wide practice of training camp.

The original diagnosis was that he would be sidelined from 10-to-12 weeks, and September 16 represented the 12-week anniversary of his surgery. While he’s happy with his progress, he noted that he’s not yet at a hundred percent, “but we’re working and we’re right on track with where we thought it’d be at this point.”

It was reported that Quick originally suffered the injury during the club’s second round series against Anaheim. The news that he would need surgery took him by surprise.

“I didn’t think it was that bad,” he said. “That was a little bit of a surprise, but everything is on track and I’m where I’m supposed to be as far as recovery and strength and everything. It’s just good to get out there and skate.”

Quick noted that there are limitations in what he can do – “well manage that as camp goes along,” he said – though they’re not exactly keeping him up at night. He declined to go into details about any limitations.

“Obviously we have a few guys that coaches want to get out there and give them some ice time,” he said.

Camp invite and former Edmonton Oiler Jeff Deslauriers is expected to receive playing time in the preseason and would be available should the 2012 Conn Smythe Trophy winner suffer any setbacks. Martin Jones, who posted a 12-6-0 record with a 1.81 goals-against average and .934 save percentage in his rookie season, is also available and qualified. J.F. Berube and Patrik Bartosak – both of whom are ticketed for Manchester – and invites Brandon Maxwell and Tony Capobianco are taking part in training camp after their participation in rookie camp.

An LA Kings Insider report from last week noted that Quick is expected to be “full go” by the end of camp. At the time, the hope was that he would be able to participate in “the last couple games” of the preseason.

Jonathan Quick, on dealing with a shortened summer:
I mean, that’s something we’ve had to deal with the past couple years. Last year with the lockout, we finished right around the same time even though we lost a round earlier. That’s something we’ve had to deal with, and I think we’ve done a good job learning to deal with it and prepare ourselves with the short summer.

Quick, on the feeling of getting back on the ice with the team:
It was good. Everyone had a little jump in their step the first day back and was a little excited. It was fun. It was fun to be out there.

Quick, on whether he is “amazed” by the Kings’ two Stanley Cups in three years:
No, I wouldn’t say ‘amazed.’ I would say you’re more proud of the group and we’re able to accomplish. Obviously it’s a new year, so we want to defend what we worked so hard get last year. It starts today and I thought we had a good practice today. We have to carry that over to tomorrow. [Reporter: And at this time of year, we get you in good spirits.] Yeah, that’s for sure. Pretty much, without having to answer a lot of questions puts me in a good mood.

Quick, on the biggest hurdle the Kings face in repeating as champions:
It’s the same hurdle as winning it a first time. It’s just the grind. You play in order to get into the postseason, how tough it is. You have to be right around that 100-point mark, win close to 50 games, win more than 50 games for some teams. So that’s a grind just making it to the playoffs. And when you get there, you’re going to play four great teams in order to win it. Just getting into the playoffs is a challenge. That’s our focus, just being one of 16 then going from there.

Quick, on what it will be like to have Marian Gaborik for a full season:
Hopefully what it was like to have him for half the season. He came in and played extremely well for us. He fit in really well with Kopi and Stick and no matter who he played with, Brownie, whoever he was with. He fit in and played his role really well. Obviously he can score goals. He’s fast. He’s great in our end. That’s what we’re looking for out of him.

Quick, on having little roster turnover heading into the season:
I think that’s good. I think that we’ve built a great chemistry within the locker room and the majority of the guys have been together a long time. We’ve had some success. We’ve had a few bad years. I think going through those ups and downs with the group that we have, it makes us a little bit better.

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