Pat Quinn and Sheldon Souray had something in common on Wednesday and it wasn't just that they are employed by the Edmonton Oilers. Neither was in much of a good mood.
Let's start with the veteran blueliner who all camp long has looked bothered almost mad maybe even downright [bleeped] off. "I wouldn't put too much into that," said Souray regarding his look. Yet it's hard not to notice the scowl. It's often seen on the ice but this year it's been visible when he isn't patrolling the blueline.
If there's a reason for it then let's just say it's all about last year. "We'd be stupid not to learn from our mistakes last year" deadpanned the defenceman. "We're resting on our laurels and we don't have any to rest on. You take away the Cup run a couple years ago and we haven't done anything since then and not much before that," said Souray.
To hear Souray explain it, the Oilers thought they were better than they were. "There's a time to be loose and have fun but we weren't doing it at the right time. It's about being a professional. I had a long summer, which most wouldn't complain about, but I'm here to win and we didn't do that. You can consider this a year long business trip," said Souray. That's how last year's 53 point man described the upcoming 2009-10 season.
As for the head coach he's unhappy with the veterans and he's making a habit of saying so. Yesterday it was about their play and that's it's not always as easy as they think to get it going when they want to turn it on.
On Wednesday the daggers were directed at the way the older guys are dealing with the younger guys. "When you're an older player, and I know some of them don't care, there is a sense that you are to help show the way for the younger players," said Quinn.
For someone whose been around as long as the 66-year old has. What he has seen with the Oiler vets doesn't sit well with him. "I understand that not everyone of our older guys is going to be a leader. They may still be in the league because of what they can do and how they play but that doesn't mean they can lead. Right now they're just more concerned about themselves and nothing else," said Quinn.
Quinn admiitted that attitude can sometimes be a product of the training camp mentality. He's waiting to see if that's the case or if the new coach has inherited an old problem.
