There were so many things going on at Vegas practice this morning: Ryan Reaves's debut, James Neal and Shea Theodore's return to full practice, and the arrival of...Paul Coffey?
For some reason all the Golden Knights defensemen have the word "Coffey" taped on their backs. Likely an inside joke, but we will investigate after practice. pic.twitter.com/l49JJzxOBW
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) February 25, 2018
***
HockeyBuzz: How did it feel to have a bunch of Paul Coffeys skating at you once again?
Gerard Gallant: Really good. They all looked like Paul back there. Good skaters.
HB: What was behind all the defensemen taping COFFEY to their backs?
GG: Did you ask the players?
HB: No!
SinBin.Vegas: They told us to ask you.
GG: They didn't say nothing about it, did they?
SinBin.Vegas: No.
GG: I don't know...
HB: Come on, you're killing us.
GG: It was probably a little comment the other night. [I wasn't happy] after the first period. I had a Paul Coffey comment, but it wasn't as positive for those guys.
SinBin.Vegas: They did say the addition of Reaves will make some space so they can skate like Coffey.
GG: Well, I just like the way they're doing their job right now. Let's keep it at that.
I loved playing with Coffey, he's one of the best players ever.
***
HockeyBuzz: Good to see you back out there. Helluva sore throat there.
Shea Theodore: Yeah, it was a lot more than a sore throat. Just a couple days for recovery, feel good now.
HB: More than a sore throat?
ST: Obviously, it wasn't just a sore throat.
HB: You can't say what?
ST: No.
HB: Okay, just double-checking.
Brad Hunt: He's not allowed!
***
HockeyBuzz: Last game, Turk moved you to a different line during the first period. Did he explain why?
Erik Haula: Yeah, I didn't play good enough.
HB: Anything in particular happen that period?
EH: Yeah, I didn't play good enough.
HB: So at today's practice, you're back playing on your regular line. Did he give you a message as to what you have to do to stay up there?
EH: Yeah, play better.
HB: Okay, so what do you have to improve?
EH: I got to play better. I haven't been good enough. I just got to be better. It's pretty self-explanatory.
Defensively, I can be better. That's probably where it starts.
I was uncharacteristic with turning it over in the first period [against Vancouver]. I turned it over one time.
I have to be sharper in the D-zone. Offensively, I don't have to change much. We've been scoring, we've been getting chances.
HB: You said you haven't been good enough. Are you talking just about the last game or recently?
EH: That game. That game wasn't good. I know when I'm playing good and when I'm not playing good. I'm pretty honest with myself.
I think moving me down in the lines is good for the team. You should be able to hold everyone accountable. That's what makes a good team, so I understand it. I'm going to be better.
(HockeyBuzz note: This seems like a tense interview, but with the way Erik opened up later, I think that he was just messing with me at first. I think.)
***
HockeyBuzz: What are your memories of fighting Ryan? You've done it three times.
Deryk Engelland: He throws real heavy. He's tough. I think he's the toughest guy in the league, for sure. You never want to fight him. But he's always willing. Go to the box, and he'll BS afterwards. (laughs)
There's a lot of respect there for one another. I remember him throwing probably the hardest that I've been hit.
HB: According to HockeyFights.com, you've lost those three fights. Do you agree with the voters from HockeyFights.com?
DE: Yeah. (laughs)
HB: So no argument with these verdicts?
DE: No. They were good fights, nothing bad. But I'll definitely give him the upper hand in those.
***
By the way, I met a couple readers at practice today. Thanks for coming up! Sorry I didn't talk much, I was working. But please say hello in the future! I'll be less busy after the Deadline...I think.
***
++++I AM CURRENTLY LOOKING FOR ADVERTISERS! If you, or anyone you know would be interested in placing an ad here at HockeyBuzz, then send me a PM!++++