SAN DIEGO -- The hottest team in the Vegas system isn't the Golden Knights.
The Chicago Wolves are on a 14-game point streak, earning 26 of the last 28 possible points (12-0-1-1). Those stragglers in Vegas have notched just 25 of the last 28 possible points (12-1-1).
The Wolves have completely turned their season around, rebounding from an early eight-game losing streak. They're now second in the Central Division and firmly in the playoff picture.
Chicago is in San Diego tonight for the first contest of a four-game Western road swing. They'll also travel to Bakersfield, Ontario, and Iowa.
I was at morning skate and caught up with Rocky Thompson, 2018 AHL All-Star Brandon Pirri, and Jason Garrison.
***
Jason Garrison
HockeyBuzz: What do you attribute Chicago's recent success to?
Jason Garrison: Guys have come together and realized what we need to do to be successful. Our goalies have been our best players. Usually, when you have that, you can win more games.
HB: Can you talk about the adjustment you faced coming down?
JG: It's always an adjustment whenever you move teams. Sometimes, it can take longer and shorter. You just have to stick with it.
You realize how you need to play, what you need to do on the ice.
HB: How tough was it to be sent down, especially considering the success of the Knights?
JG: It's great to see the success.
But the situation, it is what it is. I don't think everybody feels the same way about it. But it's part of what happens. If there's things to be learned from it, you have to learn from it and move forward. Hopefully, I'll get another chance soon.
HB: When you talk about things to learn from, can you expand?
JG: The way you have to play. It's just as simple as that. Learn from some things you didn't do right or could've done better.
But it's great to see the success they're having. It's fun to watch, fun to talk about and be involved with.
HB: I assume you catch some games from time to time. Are you surprised by the amount of success they're having?
JG: No, not at all. Not at all. I knew going in there that the team was going to be successful, be competitive. I thought that from day one. They've definitely proven a lot of people wrong.
HB: And when you were sent down, what was communicated to you, in terms of your path back to the NHL?
JG: I'm not too sure. You just have to take it as it is. Kind of learn and develop as a player, continue to develop. Hopefully, that does bring you up.
HB: I get the sense, from talking to you, that you're focused on developing as a player to get back to the NHL. What do you need to do and adjust in particular?
JG: I think you can always be better. Be better at the things you do well, be better at the things you don't do well. You have to take the advice from the coaches who you're playing for here. You have to continue to learn from mistakes and get better as a player.
HB: And do you think you're doing that? It look like you are, you've scored 17 points in the last 23 games.
JG: I'm trying to, yeah. Absolutely. There's no point of being here and not trying to be better.
***
Brandon Pirri
HockeyBuzz: What do you attribute Chicago's recent success to?
Brandon Pirri: I think just sticking with it. We struggled before this streak. We were losing close games. We have enough talent, we shouldn't have been losing those games.
We had a meeting with the players. We talked about things. Like if you want to get to the next level, teams want players who come from a winning track record.
Also, ever since [Maxime Lagace] has come down, he's a different goalie. He's been our backbone. [Kasimir Kaskisuo] has been fantastic for us too.
When you're getting those big and timely saves, it makes our lives up front a little bit easier. We get to take more chances, play a little looser.
HB: What are your memories of Turk from playing for him in Florida?
BP: He's a guy who players want to play for. He obviously played and he played a tough role. He understands that sometimes, guys need a break. Sometimes, they need a push. He's very good at motivating guys to get the best out of them. It shows right now [in Vegas].
HB: Can you talk more about how he personally motivated you?
BP: I had some success. When you're having success, you can kind of get complacent. He was always pushing me, he wanted me to be the best player that I could be.
He pushed me to be a solid player in all zones.
So say you're scoring, but to play more, you have to be reliable in all zones. That's something I worked on, he helped me a lot with that.
At the same time, he knows what players are good at. He gives them the freedom to do that. That's huge.
HB: To a man, everybody in Vegas has talked about how they've all bought in. How did he make you guys "buy in" in Florida, especially the year you won the division?
BP: I think the fact that he's relatable and likable. That's huge. If you like the guy you're playing for, you want to give that much more effort. He does a good job earning all the respect of the players. He does it right away.
HB: There are plenty of players who become coaches, they're relatable but not likable. What makes Gallant likable?
BP: There are a lot of games to play and a lot of practices. He knows that some days are a little tougher to get up for practice then others. I know in Florida, if you're winning, you get a little more rope. That keeps everybody energized.
Practices are short. They're crisp.
HB: In my experience with him, he sometimes has a sharp sense of humor?
BP: He's dry. That's awesome! If you like that, it's awesome.
HB: So what's the most humorous story you can share?
BP: He's from out east, so some things probably can't be said. (laughs)
Because he played, his jokes were the same thing that were in the locker room. Just giving guys a hard time, he gets it. He's good about it too. He won't kick anybody when they're down. But he's not afraid to get in the mix.
HB: He could take it too, right? I talked to Derek MacKenzie, and Derek said he used to rib Turk a bit.
BP: Oh, yeah. And he and [Mike Kelly] are best buddies, so they're going at each other all the time.
Turk would give it to Jagr. That's awesome! Jagr's untouchable. And he would give it to Jagr.
HB: You have to tell me, what would he say to Jagr?
BP: Turk would say that Jagr's older than him. Just funny things that probably were true.
HB: Final thoughts about Turk?
BP: I think there's so much video, everybody knows what each other is going to do. But he just gets the most out of his players.
He rolls four lines, so everybody is playing, everybody is getting into the game. That keeps the locker room happy.
HB: And I have to ask you about 2014-15 in Florida. You had 22 goals and two assists. In terms of your career, it was a bit of an anomaly; your goals and assists have been pretty balanced each season through your career. What happened?
BP: Just one of those things.
It's another thing that Turk gave me crap about, not passing the puck. (laughs)
I think my two assists, one went off my foot and one was a dump-in.
It was one of those things, I was hot and everything I was shooting was going in. I just wasn't getting bounces [for assists].
I was fortunate to put up decent numbers. But at the same time, I have a lot more to my game than just scoring goals.
It's a funny stat. It's probably going to follow me for a while. But I'm sure people would take it. It's just funny.
HB: It's not a bad stat. You were a 20-goal scorer! Do you know people call that the Cy Young of hockey?
BP: Yes, I'm told I have the record.
Toward the end of the year, it was starting to get talked about more. Guys were like, don't pass the puck. Don't, this is awesome.
***
Rocky Thompson
HockeyBuzz: What's the resemblance between the Wolves and the Knights?
Rocky Thompson: We try to play as fast as they do.
When you watch Vegas play, they're so fast. It's to first thing that I remember from exhibition season.
We want to move the pucks quick. We want to have support. They play a simple game. But they take advantage of opportunity. You see a lot of skill in their game too.
Our guys have started to play faster. We've started to practice more like how we did when we were in Vegas, in order to emulate that way.
I've seen differences in our game. Our execution has been better. We've been scoring more goals. We've been creating good scoring chances. We've become more dynamic off the rush.
HB: And what do you credit in particular to your improved transition game?
RT: The way we've been practicing, chemistry on lines. Our practices have been the biggest difference to bring that forth.
HB: What's been Jason's impact since he's come down?
RT: Huge. He's a consummate professional. He's led these guys by his example, how he carries himself every single day. He's a positive energy guy. He works hard every single day. He battles hard during the games. He's a guy who wants to get better, even though he's a little bit older. When you look at that as a younger player, it brings you to that level of professionalism.
HB: So with Jason, there wasn't that initial let-down after being sent down? He hasn't played in the AHL since 2009.
RT: There was not a let-down at all. Positive right from the beginning.
***
++++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!++++
Vegas Golden Knights Blogger •Vegas Golden Knights Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»