Lindy Ruff Players Quotations

Several of those players had very good camps, but we're limited on room. They're not easy decisions. When usually you go through the first round of cuts you're looking at second-tier guys. Some of these guys will definitely play (in the NHL).

We may be developing some players that end up being good players on other teams because we just have too many right now.

He was determined to make players pay the price. He used his size extremely well. We look for that type of leadership from him. ... It's developing into a little bit of a war, which is OK with our team.

That energy from having the building full is a tremendous advantage. Players get jacked up. The energy in the building is like a playoff game for the most part. They like the way we're playing.

I think you adjust with the players you have. I think we're a talented group that's surprised a lot of people. For myself, I just let those guys play - not worry so much about the little mistakes in the game, more worried about the things that are happening all the time.

The one thing that's evident is that when some players got elevated in bigger roles, they've played even better. I still think there's players that have more to offer in a bigger role. They're always looking for a bigger role, and now they get their opportunity.

A lot of the players believe it hampers their ability to play well. I really think it's one more piece of equipment that can make the player that much safer. If they can get used to it, it would be advantageous for them to wear.

There's plays you're going to have to eliminate and plays you have to make. The players we're counting on are going to have to step up and make those plays.

This time of the year, players are always wondering what could happen or what might happen, and there's always rumors. There's rumors that come out of left field. Some of the rumors are often found to be true, but a lot of them are not.

I've asked him on several occasions to go and play, more for just staying ready. Instead of practicing here, go play. But that's happened in the past where players have chose not to go. I don't hold that against them. They almost feel that practicing at this level is better than playing at the American League level. I've seen a few American League games and it isn't near what it was last year. So there may be a case in point for that.

If you go knee on knee and take a shot at the guy's head at the same time, you don't deserve to be in the game. We're going to the playoffs and you take out one of our best players because you couldn't take a hit. That's an absolute joke.

I want him suspended. I want him fined. I'll come to the hearing. I haven't called the league once; I'll call them 10 times tomorrow. If you go knee on knee and take a shot at a guy's head at the same time, you don't deserve to be in the game. We're going to the playoffs and you're going to take out of our best players because you couldn't take a hit? That's a joke, that's an absolute joke.

It will come. He's got what all the real good players have. Something that I can't teach, which is a tremendous talent around the net.

I rank him right up there with the top all-around performers. People build up names. But I think he's having a better year than some players on the team.

They've provided energy we've needed. You look at our lineup, I thought we just became little bit stale. They've injected some energy, some enthusiasm, a willingness to do things other players aren't capable of doing, and they're having fun playing.

It puts a target on you, but I think I have a great rapport with the players we have here now, ... We as a staff, myself included, we have to silence the critics. That's the way I look at it. If we don't, whatever happens, happens. We have something to prove. If we don't, we should take the blame.

The numbers say that the extra goals in the league have come from special teams, so you can look at it. We've got certain players that are key players, and they play the least amount of even-strength time, but they play the most amount of special-teams time. The opportunity to be a plus player in some of those situations isn't there.

That's the creative touch that Danny brings, and we needed that tonight. We needed our big players to step up, and I thought they stepped up in a defensive fashion and an offensive fashion for us.