Doug Armstrong Good Quotations

One of the misconceptions out there was that the teams you mentioned were only good because of money. Maybe it was an excuse used by other people why they weren't winning. But we're not looking to use the CBA as an excuse moving forward. Our job as management is to win, whether it's pre- or post-'05.

Willie is a veteran player who upgrades the depth of our defensive corps. He plays a solid defensive game and will be a good fit for our hockey club as we prepare for the 2006 playoffs and a chance to compete for the Stanley Cup.

When he first went down, it didn't look good. And he was so close to the bench that he didn't have to get up to get off the ice, so I wasn't sure what happened. But I talked to the trainer between periods and he thought it would be good and then I saw Mike after and he was all smiles with the team winning the division. So a crisis averted, I guess.

I want to see the correct focus and the correct attitude, not just from the players, but the entire organization of the importance of the season. Last year, we rebounded and had a very good regular season and our expectations were high, and we didn't meet those expectations in the playoffs. I think rather than running from that, we need to meet those expectations head-on.

It's a risk, but it's one we feel good about. A lot of the rule changes will affect defensemen, and we want a group of defensemen who can move the puck.