September 20 practice quotes: Darryl Sutter

On whether he’s ever been to Bakersfield:
Yep. Actually, we played Los Angeles in an exhibition game. San Jose and Los Angeles. [Reporter: Did you guys open up the building there?] I think it was, and I think – you’ll have to ask – … because we only ended up playing two periods. The plant went down. The ice-cement. The ice was melting. I’m pretty sure it was new. I can’t even remember what year that was. … I’m sure the players liked it. They only had to play two periods. Preseason.

On how the Monday and Tuesday rosters will be constructed:
Most of the veterans will play both games. [Ed: I believe he meant that both games will feature veterans, not that veterans will play in both games of the back-to-back.] The guys that we want to look at, the guys that are going to have to play lots of games so they say they got a fair shot, they’re going to play lots of games.

On the first three days of training camp:
We’ve done a lot of video for system play and detail in their play, and then it’s the first time that I’ve done as a coach where we scrimmage three days in a row to start camp. We felt that was important, and it was because of the time off for most of the NHL players. I think they had a good pace and worked hard. If there’s any downside to the first few days, it’s four guys that still haven’t had a practice, so that sort of set’s them back, and go from there.

On whether Jordan Nolan will be available “later in the week”:
Yeah, he’s close. He’s better every day. Basically, when he turned his ankle, you knew he was good the first five days of camp based on that timeline where he progressed from when he first did it – he wouldn’t be available for the first five days – and that’s pretty much how it’s been.

On whether Christian Ehrhoff’s skating stood out in the first three days of camp:
He is a good skater, so that’s not something that went away from his game. That’s the strength of his game. [Reporter: Did Dean draft him?] Yeah. I think I only saw him as maybe a 19-year-old. My memory of him is more of Vancouver. In my mind, that’s how I see him, as a Canuck, and quite honest, when you look at it, those are his big years, too. Before he left for free agency, he was a 14-goal guy. [Reporter: Do you think he can still be the same type of guy he was in Vancouver with you guys? I know he’s a few years older, but do you still see that type of skating skill?] Yeah. Vancouver’s style then with Alain as their coach is closer to our style than any team he’s played on since. A lot of that plays into it, too. The player has to fit the type of team you have.

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