November 16 morning skate quotes: John Stevens

On whether Michael Amadio’s goal is a good reference point and sustains him after his assignment:
I don’t know so much that it’s the goal, but the fact that he’s been here, he’s experienced high-level hockey. He played some really good teams, obviously. I think when you have a reference point as a player, it really motivates you. He was excited. Really bright kid and great attitude, and I think he’s got a great attitude. I think he’s got a bright future, but I think this, to me, can really serve as motivation for him having been here now, knowing what the league’s like. Two things happen: you know how good the league is, and you realize you’re not that far away, so I think that’s really good for him.

On whether it’s encouraging for younger players to sense opportunity, given the roster moves:
Yeah, I mean, I think so. It’s a nice luxury to have, but I think it’s good for the whole organization. Crescenzi’s played well. We got him up, and he’s a bigger body, penalty killer, faceoff guy, that’s why he’s here. Some of these young guys, if you look back at the progression with Tanner and Tyler, they went back several times before they were full-time guys here, and each time they went back they were better, and each time they came back they were better. I think it’s a good process to be able to go through.

On whether Crescenzi’s presence can help stabilize the heavy minutes logged by other centers:
Yeah, we’d like to get those minutes – they’re never going to be even – but evened out a little bit. I think we just need a little bit more stability from the other lines where we can get some really sustainable pressure. We’ve had that at times, and the other thing, Kopi had some extended shifts on the power play, and just to get his shift length down a little bit, I think we can get that corrected in a hurry.

On whether anything stood out in Boston’s performance last night in Anaheim:
I was impressed with just how hard they work. There was a stretch in the second period where I don’t think ‘dominance’ is too strong a word. If you just saw the score, you might have thought they got outplayed, but I certainly don’t think that was the case. They work extremely hard, they have a physical element to their game where they really come after you with pursuit, but they’re looking to make physical contact. I think the one kid had 10 hits last night that he was credited for. Sometimes those aren’t accurate, but if you watched the game, it probably is accurate. So, they play hard. I was impressed with how hard they play. They’re a very well-structured team. I thought they played a really solid road game.

On any differences in the Bruins between the meeting three weeks ago, and now:
Not a lot, to be honest with you. I think they’re a very structured team. They don’t give up a lot, five-on-five. Bergeron’s an elite two-way player in the league. There’s rumors that Krejci might play tonight. I think he’s a really world-class centerman. Like a lot of teams, they’ve had a lot of guys come in and fill in injuries and do a really good job for ‘em. I don’t see a whole lot of difference in terms of what to expect from them. I think they’re a really well-structured, hard-working team. They’ll play a really solid road game. It’s surprising their road record is not better than it is, because I thought their structure and the way they played last night would lead you to believe otherwise.

On whether Kyle Clifford may get back on the ice soon:
He skated a little bit on his own already, so that’s a really good sign. He’s coming along, so, I think that point of getting back on the ice is coming. [Reporter: Was that the first time, and was it today?] I don’t think he skated yet today, but I do know he skated yesterday for a little bit on his own. The fact that he’s on the ice is a good sign. He has not been integrated with the group or anything yet.

-Several quotes omitted for use in today’s practice notes
-One quote withheld for a Jussi Jokinen story to come
-Lead photo via Harry How / Getty Images