00:00What's it been like for you to join this organization and connect with everyone?
00:05It's made the transition super easy, I mean easier.
00:10I mean having Jacob there, having Frank Stromer.
00:15I have enough familiarity with certain helps.
00:18The entire group's been great.
00:20Have you ever been in that room before?
00:22No.
00:23Chris, describe it when you're walking up the ramp today.
00:26What was this like?
00:27Did you ever walk up that ramp?
00:29Well, it's kind of a maze back there, so I'm just trying to get my bearings.
00:33What about when you had to be directed to get on the ice?
00:36It was a weird experience player, right?
00:39What are just the general motions right now?
00:43I don't know, we're in our routine, right?
00:47So I'm sure at some point later they might hit me, but right now we're just getting ready to play a hockey game at Madison Square Garden.
00:54I've done a few times, just in a different jersey.
00:56Do you more look forward to tonight or look forward to the end of tonight?
01:03Depends on how the game goes.
01:05Have you had a chance, you guys have been here for a while, have you had a chance to be around to see some former team?
01:09I think you saw Mika, have you guys hung out?
01:11Yeah, obviously they weren't here for the beginning of our stay in New York, but now I was able to pop in and see Mika, me and Jacob went by and said hi, saw his family.
01:19But I got a lot of family here too, so it's been a busy few days and obviously it's not a vacation, we're here to work, so meetings, practices, some logistics to New Jersey and back.
01:33So yeah, we've been busy.
01:35Is there a moment that stands out in the 13 years of all the games, all the seasons?
01:44That's a hard one.
01:45I don't know.
01:45What will tonight mean to you emotionally to the fans and the reception?
01:50What do you expect?
01:52I don't know.
01:52I'm trying to go in with no expectations and I'm scared to play a hockey game, but it's a, like I said, it's a passionate fan base.
01:59It's a place that I've spent the majority of my life, so I'm sure it'll be emotional for me to what extent, I don't know.
02:07But I'm just trying to worry about the here and the now.
02:11Chris, you did a great interview with Dan and Chris earlier this season, Powers Brothers, and you talked about how you had a conversation with Steve Valakhet about changing your perspective of scoring goals and taking it from the goalie's perspective.
02:23Just curious if you initiated that conversation with Valley or if that's something he approached you with or just where that hunger came from to try to adapt your game a little bit more to the Eagles score.
02:31I initiated it.
02:34I just thought there was leaving a little bit of meat on the bone.
02:37I wanted to continue to improve and get better.
02:39I think every player does.
02:40So, yeah, like I said on that interview is super, super useful and something that I continue to use on a daily basis.
02:47Have you had those reflective moments about your time here since you moved on?
02:55And when, if you do, what do you think?
02:58I think you know me well enough.
02:59Now the season's in full swing.
03:03And I don't think it completely settled in over the offseason.
03:08Didn't feel real until I got on the plane to go to California.
03:10And then it was kind of all about getting my bearings there, right?
03:14And trying to dare myself to a new group and get to know everyone, get to know the whole setup.
03:20So I haven't really had time.
03:22You had some injuries stopped last season.
03:25I mean, are you feeling healthy this year?
03:27Yes.
03:27Or is it good to be, you know, having something?
03:29It's good to be healthy.
03:30Chris, is there a part of you that wishes it could have worked out here?
03:34Or at the time, did you feel like this could be good for you in your career?
03:37Yeah, try not to live in the past.
03:39Like I said, live in the moment.
03:42I think I've said this a couple times.
03:45It's arrogant to think that you know what something is in that given moment, right?
03:48So you don't necessarily know if it's going to be a good thing or a bad thing.
03:51So just take everything in stride and playing in the National Hockey League, doesn't matter
03:56where you're playing, is a tremendous, tremendous honor.
04:00Obviously, playing here is incredibly special, but the Anaheim experience has been fantastic.
04:09It's just kind of been positive on all fronts.
04:11So a lot of gratitude.
04:13Just feel very lucky.
04:14Chris, the fans are going to have their opportunity to thank you for 13 years tonight.
04:19What would you think of that again in the tournament?
04:22I think it's hard to express my appreciation for the support we had over all those years,
04:29over all those runs.
04:31I mean, it's an amazing building, right?
04:35It's the most famous building in the world, but it's a building.
04:41It's the fans that make it a special place.
04:45We're just being out there this morning.
04:49Three-game skating on that ice, it's cool, but it's an empty building.
04:53So at the end of the day, it's the fans that make it what it is.
04:57And I don't know, it's hard to put into words my gratitude and appreciation for the support
05:01and the passion over all those years.
05:04Can you tell me one more question?
05:06I'm assuming they'll do a video trip.
05:07Will you watch it?
05:10I don't know how the angle is from that bench.
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