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Gallant on Sbisa's absence in practice today: "He didn't feel good. Nothing serious. He came in and we sent him home." HT @DavidSchoenLVRJ
— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) October 12, 2017
Tomas Nosek
HockeyBuzz: After you scored the first goal on Tuesday night, you literally attacked the glass in celebration. You banged it so hard. Take us through that.
Tomas Nosek: I didn't know what to do. But I felt very excited. But I wanted to celebrate with the fans, so I just hit the glass. Then I celebrated with the boys. It was awesome.
HB: You talked about getting the goosebumps during the National Anthem on Tuesday night. Can you talk more about that?
TN: Yeah, the national anthem was one of the strongest feelings that I've ever had [on the ice]. It was something that I'll never forget. And the goal, for sure, too.
HB: The tragedy has, in some ways, brought the team and the city closer. It's a complicated feeling, but what are your thoughts about that?
TN: If it helps the city, we're happy. We try to do everything we can to help to heal the city. We can feel the connection with the people here. They were awesome. We hope it will continue in the next games.
HB: Have you been the Las Vegas before you were selected in the Expansion Draft?
TN: I was here six months ago, during the All-Star break. I got engaged around here in the Grand Canyon. So it was a little bit of destiny that brings me back here. We rented a car and took a trip to the Grand Canyon and Las Vegas.
HB: Last year, you won a Calder Cup with Grand Rapids. While we're talking about different levels here, can you tell us what you've brought from that experience here to Vegas?
TN: Every championship gives you confidence. So I try to display this confidence here.
HB: You're from Dominik Hasek's hometown of Pardubice. Have you met him?
TN: Yeah, I met him a couple times. Actually, we practiced together when he tried to come back. Again. (laughs) He was practicing with the team in Pardubice, so I was there.
HB: Did you score a goal on the Dominator?
TN: Yeah, I scored. (laughs) He's so competitive. He was so pissed every time that somebody scored on him. He's so competitive. He's a great guy. I'm happy to be from the same city as him.
Erik Haula
HockeyBuzz: Talk about the home opener. Such an intense night. What were some of your thoughts?
Erik Haula: We were fired up to play. We wanted to make Vegas proud. We wanted to bring joy to the city.
HB: You traveled an interesting career path, going from Finland to high school and college hockey in the US. Is that a path that you would recommend to young Finnish players in general?
EH: I'm not telling anybody to do what I did. I guess my message to everybody is just keep your options open. Never be afraid to listen.
HB: How do you think your career would've unfolded if you had stayed in Finland?
EH: Hard to say, but I'm here now, right? It's all that matters. I'm happy with all the decisions that I made. It was the right move for me as a person and as a player.
HB: What's been the most surprising thing about the city of Las Vegas?
EH:There are so many positives that I've already gotten out of Las Vegas. It's hard to measure one or a couple. But just the strength of the city, I think is incredible. The willingness to help the other person. And obviously, it's been great to see the support that we've gotten.
HB: You're one of the few Golden Knights signed to a multi-year deal. Does that give you a greater sense of security? Has the team told you that your part of their long-term plans?
EH: Well, that's how I read into it. But you always have to perform. It's a business. Nobody's ever safe.
But yes, it gives you security that you're going to play.
I really enjoy being here. I want to be a part of this franchise, and ultimately, win here.
HB: It's some contrast, going from hockey-mad Finland and Minnesota to Las Vegas, which is pretty new to the sport. Can you talk about that contrast?
EH: I loved Minnesota. I loved every second of it. I live there in the summer.
Finland's home. It's a big sport there.
I didn't really know what to expect coming here. It was just wait and see. But you see 15,000 for the first pre-season game. Sold-out arena last game. It's all we ask for. Great turn-outs. People always watching us practice.
HB: Another big difference is that people must recognize you a lot in Finland, in Minnesota...is it good to be in a city where you can be more anonymous?
EH: Either way, I don't mind it. I just live my life. If people want to take pictures or talk to me... I'm a normal person too. (laughs)
Minnesota, I probably got recognized more than in Finland. The city I come from is so little that everybody already knew me as this kid. So it's not really a big deal in a way.
Here, it's been low-key so far.
It's great. It's not even that you expect people to just know the game of hockey that well...I'm sure we're going to get there...but just the excitement you have, just having a sports team, just rooting for something, has been great to see.
HB: So what are some of your personal goals this year?
EH: To get my minutes up. Just kind of prove that I could be more than a penalty killer. I've gotten an opportunity to play on the power play.
HB: Do you see yourself as a top-six forward in the NHL?
EH: Yes, I do see myself as that. Lines are what they are. And you have to find the right balance.
Talking about top-six and stuff like that, looking at minutes, I'm okay playing whatever line. But you want to push your minutes up. And you want to play as much as possible.
Gerard Gallant
Head Coach Gerard Gallant was drafted by the Detroit Red Wings in 1981. He played nine seasons in Motown, racking up over 200 goals in the Winged Wheel.
HockeyBuzz: In your career, have you ever experienced anything like the atmosphere of the first 30 minutes -- from the pre-game ceremonies to the Engelland goal -- of Tuesday's game?
Gerard Gallant: The closest thing is the playoffs.
I think the furthest I went was the [Conference Finals with Detroit] against Edmonton [in 1987]. That was a big thrill.
Last night, the fans never sat down. Even in warm-ups, you got the feeling that they were all standing up. It was just an exciting night.
David Schoen: Do you get a little juiced when you see that Winged Wheel? As a former Red Wing?
GG: Not anymore. I loved my time in Detroit. They were great to me, great organization. I loved every bit of it of the 10 years I spent in Detroit. Now, as a coach, it's been a lot of years of coaching against that team. Still a lot of good people there, the Illitch family are great people. But I'm trying to beat them now.
HB: You played at a fascinating time in Red Wings history. During your rookie year (1984-85), they were re-building, it was Yzerman's sophomore season, but they also had Hall of Famers like Brad Park and Darryl Sittler. What are your memories of your rookie year?
GG: Well, rookie season was great. When you're a rookie, you're just happy to make the NHL.
We had a lot of tough games the first couple of years. We weren't that good a hockey team. We were trying to re-build that team. A lot of nights, we were losing 7-2 and 8-3. It was tough.
But you know what? It was the best time of my life. I was a 20-year-old kid playing in the NHL. The crowd we had at Joe Louis Arena...the chance to play with Steve Yzerman...it was just outstanding. I loved every minute of it.
***
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