Moulson: “I am a lot different of a player than when I was here”

Matt Moulson, acquired by Buffalo late last month from the New York Islanders, will return to STAPLES Center to play his sixth career game against his former team. Signed as an unrestricted free agent by the Kings in September, 2006, Moulson played out the majority of his entry level contract in Manchester before he was signed by the New York Islanders to a one-year contract in July, 2009. In his first season on Long Island, Moulson recorded the first of three consecutive 30-goal seasons.

The 30-year-old has six points (2-4=6) in his first four games with the Sabres and is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent next July. In 29 games with Los Angeles during the 2007-08 and 2008-09 seasons, Moulson recorded 10 points (6-4=10) in 29 games.

He spoke with LA Kings Insider writer James Nicholson following the Sabres’ morning skate on Thursday.

Matt Moulson, on playing against his former team:
It’s a lot of fun to play against former teams. I think I am a lot different of a player than when I was here. I have obviously matured a bit as a player and a human being. It’s fun. I played a little bit here but obviously [there are] still a lot of guys I know and [I have] good friends on the team.

Moulson, on playing against his brother-in-law Jonathan Quick:
I think the media usually makes a bigger deal about it than we do. It’s just another game for us. Obviously, he wants to stop every shot out there and I want to score every shot. I think I have scored on him a couple games, two games, but he’s definitely got the better of me.

Moulson, on playing playing with a talented 2008-09 Manchester Monarchs team:
We had a good team. It was tough because guys kept getting called up to really sustain a good drive. My first year there we had a really good season. We lost in the conference finals and I learned a lot. The Kings put a lot of time into developing their players and a lot of different guys working with players. I learned a lot of things and I probably wouldn’t be where I am without them.

Moulson, on playing with Slava Voynov in 2008-09:
He was a good player. He was young when I played with him, real young. But he’s turned into a great defenseman in this league. Obviously we watch out for him.

Nicholson has also reported that Jhonas Enroth, not Ryan Miller, is expected to start tonight for Buffalo. The Sabres will be playing the first game of a back-to-back set that will continue Friday night in Anaheim.

Jhonas Enroth off the ice first for Buffalo

— James Nicholson (@ulyssesjim) November 7, 2013