October 10 practice quotes: Darryl Sutter

On Devin Setoguchi trying to make an impact with his opportunity:
I think that’s still in the same light. A lot of work to do. Obviously Gabby’s injury took a top skill guy out of the top end of our lineup, so we’re trying to fill that. Based on his camp, he gets that opportunity, and, obviously, he doesn’t have a contract yet, I don’t think. I’m not really sure where that’s at – I can’t answer that.

On Setoguchi’s progress through training camp:
I thought early in camp he was better than later in camp, and I’d think he’d admit that. [Reporter: Does it say a lot for a guy to kind of go through everything he’s gone through and then prove himself?] I’m excited for him. I like to see guys like that bounce back and do well, and hopefully he does bounce back, and hopefully he does well. It’s strictly going to be a day-to-day, game-to-dame thing, that’s clear. For me, it was no different evaluating him than it was players that we needed to be better than they were last year.

On what was behind the decision to play Jake Muzzin with Drew Doughty to start the season:
Nothing really. They’ve played together lots, they play together lots in power play, penalty killing, start of periods, ends of periods. [Reporter: Because at times last year they weren’t always together. Maybe late in games and in certain situations they were there.] I think our defense last year was a very disjointed defense because of injuries and situations that went on. Very clear. There were a lot of unknowns coming in, obviously last year with Voynov, whether we’d have him or not. Our defense in March was quite a bit different than it was in October. When the playoffs started, it showed up.

On Drew Doughty’s “next step,” and whether it’s assuming more “leadership”:
I think the next step for him this year is the leadership. It’s in a pronounced role for him now. That is in our locker room – we have a group of guys that have to take over that part of the game for us. [Reporter: That’s sometimes just a natural thing when guys get older, but have you seen more maturity from him?] It’s not natural. [Reporter: No?] No, it’s not. That’s something that you’re born with and it might come out of you, but it’s not natural. The leadership part is something that you have or you don’t. That, to me, is not a taught skill. That’s in you.

On what he had known about Tom Gilbert prior to coaching him:
I’ve coached against him a lot in the old division – the Minnesota, Edmonton part – when I was in Calgary, so I’m familiar with him. I think he’s gotten better as camp has went along. I think him and Greener are guys, they’re going to play that same box for us. They’re righthanded guys that are going to play the same – he’s coming off knee surgery and still not all the way back. I’d say the last game he played was his best game, and we still need to get another step out of him, and then he’ll be fine. Those two veterans are guys that that’s how we’ll use ‘em.

On his thoughts about Matt Greene’s camp:
A lot of the same way … as Tommy. He’d been off for a long time. Greener’s got better as camp’s went along, and that’s based on performance. It’s never about try or heart or anything like that. I think Greener’s every day come out and tried to do everything that we’ve wanted him to do. He’s a popular and respected guy in the room, and that’s important. It’s just understanding as you get older how your role changes, and he’s done a really good job of that.