We also share in the belief we do have what it takes in this locker-room and there's no great piece of the puzzle out there we're missing.

You don't want him to drop the gloves all the time because he's our star player. But when he does, nobody's too disappointed because that means he's fired up and ready to go.

I'm pretty far out of the loop. There's always a lot of speculation and what-have-you. I'm sure it's fun for people to watch and have fantasies of who might go where. The reality is, guys will change teams.

I'm disappointed with myself. I went on to the (NHLPA) website where there's the (absentee-ballot) form to download and fill out. I was all ready to do it, but I missed the (deadline). I feel for the guys playing down in the States. Down there, you get no news about Canada.

A few of us got a private tour of the UN. That was the highlight of our trip -- it wasn't shopping or going to buy a new suit, it was checking out the General Assembly.

But, when you see the standings every day, it's tough to consider this the dog days. So, mentally, it's pretty easy to get focused. Physically, obviously, it's a challenge. The Olympic year has compressed the schedule. The games are hard and fast, and look at the teams we're playing -- Vancouver, Vancouver, Nashville, Minnesota, Edmonton.