What is, as you see, kind of the biggest challenge to get everybody on the same page, you on the same page with everybody, for the Carolina Hurricanes in that first game?

Yeah, I mean, I think camp's obviously going to be a little different this year.

It's going to be more just trying to get our group ready and everyone learn the systems.

You know, we got a couple new guys, so we're coming in and learning the systems, you know, learning the type of way we want to play and just trying to build that chemistry as quickly as possible in the next, you know, week and a half before the season starts.

I know you had a little health concern that kind of bothered you a little bit last year.

How are you feeling right now? I'm feeling great.

It was just a little new thing I had going on, but just took some screws out, but it was a pretty easy recovery.

What was it like that first day that the captain number eight walks into the room? What's it like for a guy who's watched him and played against him now having him as your teammate?

What is, as you see, kind of the biggest challenge to get everybody on the same page, you on the same page with everybody, for the Carolina Hurricanes in that first game?

Yeah, I mean, I think camp's obviously going to be a little different this year.

It's going to be more just trying to get our group ready and everyone learn the systems.

You know, we got a couple new guys, so we're coming in and learning the systems, you know, learning the type of way we want to play and just trying to build that chemistry as quickly as possible in the next, you know, week and a half before the season starts.

I know you had a little health concern that kind of bothered you a little bit last year.

How are you feeling right now? I'm feeling great.

It was just a little new thing I had going on, but just took some screws out, but it was a pretty easy recovery.

What was it like that first day that the captain number eight walks into the room? What's it like for a guy who's watched him and played against him now having him as your teammate?

I know it has been a very hectic 24 hours for you, so first and foremost, I want you to take us back to yesterday evening and what you were doing when you found out that this trade was solidified.

Yeah.

I was, uh, I was just getting home from the gym.

You know, I was just training and my agent kind of called me and said, "Hey, like, stay by the phone today.

You know, might be kind of a, a crazy day going on." So just, just on my phone a lot and a lot of calls back and forth and, and yeah, it was just a hectic day.

So when you think about it as a whole, what does make you so excited to become a Capital?

Yeah, I mean, I've, uh, I've heard a lot of great things about the city.

I mean, I heard it's a, a unbelievable place to play and obviously I know the history there and, you know, it's just a, a great team and organization and, you know, they've got a, a heck of a fan base as well.

I know it has been a very hectic 24 hours for you, so first and foremost, I want you to take us back to yesterday evening and what you were doing when you found out that this trade was solidified.

Yeah, I was, uh, I was just getting home from the gym.

You know, I was just training and my agent kind of called me and said, "Hey, like stay by the phone today.

You know, it might be kind of a, a crazy day going on." So just, just on my phone a lot and a lot of calls back and forth and, and yeah, it was just a hectic day.

So when you think about it as a whole, what does make you so excited to become a Capital?

Yeah, I mean, I've, uh, I've heard a lot of great things about the city.

I mean, I heard it's a, a unbelievable place to play, and obviously I know the history there and, you know, it's just a, a great team and organization and, you know, they've got a, a heck of a fan base as well.

And you know, I've heard all the players are, all love it there and, you know, they got a close group and, you know, obviously I think their, their team's really well, uh, you know, a really great team as well.

How closely were you paying attention to those? And did you feel like this was inevitable at some point?

I mean, I think over the last couple of years, I've seen my name out there here and there.

So I kind of just try to Just put it to the side and not worry about that.

Just focus on hockey.

And, you know, I think over the last couple of weeks, I've been hearing more and more and kind of just slowly, I guess, been talking to my agent about stuff.

And, you know, I guess there was talks a couple of days prior.

And then, you know, I felt yesterday in the morning, you know, I got a call from my agent.

What do you know about the organization? Do you know any guys on the team? And then about Capital One Arena and your experiences playing in D.C.

How closely were you paying attention to those? And did you feel like this was inevitable at some point?

I mean, I think over the last couple of years, I've seen my name out there here and there.

So I kind of just try to just put it to the side and not worry about that.

Just focus on hockey.

And, you know, I think over the last couple of weeks, I've been hearing more and more and kind of just slowly, I guess, been talking to my agent about stuff.

And, you know, I guess there was talks a couple of days prior.

And then, you know, I felt yesterday in the morning, you know, I got a call from my agent.

What do you know about the organization? Do you know any guys on the team? And then about Capital One Arena and your experiences playing in D.C.?

How closely were you paying attention to those, and did you feel like this was inevitable at some point?

I mean, I think over the last couple years, I've seen my name out there here and there, so I kind of just try to Just put it to the side and not worry about that.

Just focus on hockey.

And, you know, I think over the last couple of weeks, I've been hearing more and more and kind of just slowly, I guess, been talking to my agent about stuff.

And, you know, I guess there was talks a couple of days prior.

And then, you know, I felt yesterday in the morning, you know, I got a call from my agent.

He kind of just said, you know, stay by your phone all day today.

What do you know about the organization? Do you know any guys on the team? And then about Capital One Arena and your experiences playing in D.C.?

So when you think about it as a whole, what does make you so excited to become a Capital?

Yeah, I mean, I've, uh, I've heard a lot of great things about the city.

I mean, I heard it's a, a unbelievable place to play in.

Obviously, I know the history there and, you know, it's just a, a great team and organization and, you know, they've got a, a heck of a fan base as well and, you know, I've heard all the players are, all love it there and, you know, they got a close group and, you know, obviously I think their, their team's really well, um, you know, a really great team as well.

So I'm just excited, uh, to join them and, and get things going.

How much has your time in St. Louis shaped you, not just into the player that you are, but obviously the person growing up throughout that organization and city as well?

Yeah, it's been a, it's been a heck of a ride there.

I mean, you know, I got drafted back in 2016 and, you know, I can't thank the organization and, and you know, all my teammates and, and all the coaches enough.