The 10 Best Quotes of 2014-15
It's been another season of surprises and memorable moments, and not just on the ice. Some of the NHL's best have provided hockey lovers with some of this season's greatest highlights with their mouths rather than their sticks.
So, with less than a month to go in the season and teams in the stretch drive, we thought it'd be fun to look back at some of the greatest quips so far. Given that there's been so many, this also means we can put together part two when the playoffs are all said and done.
Without further ado, here are the best quotes of 2014-15:
Following a 5-4 loss to the New York Rangers and the team's 12th loss in 13 games, Toronto Maple Leafs interim head coach Peter Horachek went off on his team's effort, making it very clear what he felt his team needed to do better.
"The give a s**t meter needs to be higher." - Peter Horachek
On Dec. 8, the Ottawa Senators relieved Paul MacLean of his coaching duties after a mediocre start to the season.
MacLean faced the music along with the Ottawa media the following day, taking the news very well. He even quoted a Taylor Swift song and responded cleverly to a very outspoken fan in the audience.
"Something about the players, play, play, play and I’m going to shake, shake it off." - Paul MacLean
The Senators have been red-hot since MacLean's departure and are hoping the playoffs will have a blank space where they can write their name.
On top of their disastrous fall to the bottom of the standings, the Maple Leafs have had tons of off-ice scrutiny, including having a reporter questioning Phil Kessel's "coach-ability."
Chicago Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews was sure to bring up the incident during this year's NHL All-Star Draft.
"He's one of the most coachable players out there." - Jonathan Toews
During the Maple Leafs' trip to Toronto's SickKids Hospital, the relative of a patient had the chance to interview Joffrey Lupul for Leafs TV. Lupul was caught off guard when the boy, Josh, asked if the Leafs forward had a girlfriend.
"Um no, but kind of ..." - Joffrey Lupul
Ilya Bryzgalov became a hit during the airing of HBO's "24/7" in the 2011 season. He provided viewers with some of the oddest soundbites, including his thoughts about the galaxy.
This season, after the Anaheim Ducks gave him a professional tryout, he further expressed his love of life in a bizarre yet sweet way.
"I am who I am. Life is too beautiful to be sad, to be depressed. The sun comes up every day and it’s beautiful." - Ilya Bryzgalov
Following a game between the Ducks and Washington Capitals this February, Ducks captain Ryan Getzlaf remarked that he thought Alex Ovechkin had been diving and that he thought that kind of playing was disgraceful to the game.
Ovechkin didn't seem to take the accusation too seriously, suggesting Getzlaf was merely jealous over his full head of hair.
"Maybe's he's just jealous I have hair." - Alex Ovechkin
Former Norris Trophy winner P.K. Subban made one of his on-ice tactics known to reporters earlier this season. Prior to a game against the Maple Leafs, Subban admitted to farting in front of the opposition's net to try and throw goalies off.
“I try to hold it in until I get on the ice, then in front of the net sometimes I’ll pass gas.” - P.K. Subban
So, remember kids, a high-fiber diet is key to making it to the NHL.
In "Road To The Stadium Series," another "24/7"-type special from HBO, cameras followed the San Jose Sharks up to their outdoor game against the Los Angeles Kings.
One of the highlights of the special was when Joe Thornton had his young kids with him at the rink. His daughter became incredibly curious about his jock and that made for some laughs.
"What's in here dad?"- Joe Thornton's daughter
Embarrassment has plagued the Maple Leafs this season, but the most cringe-worthy moment came at a special ceremony headed up by Toronto Raptors general manager Masai Ujiri that honored former South African President Nelson Mandela.
Goaltender Jonathan Bernier made it clear he didn't know who Mandela was, suggesting he was a former athlete.
"He is one of the most known athletes in the world and (had) a lot of impact in any kind of sport that he did. Even playing hockey, everyone knows him. From being the type of person he was off the ice and on the ice. But you know he changed a lot while he was with us. He’s a tremendous guy."- Jonathan Bernier
The newly-appointed king (pun unintended) of NHL soundbites in recent years is Kings head coach Darryl Sutter, who became famous for his post-game interviews during his team's playoff runs.
Sutter was back at it following a game back in November, giving reporters his very simple, obvious and at times hilarious responses to their questions.
"I know you define leads by goals having the lead, but we never really had the lead."- Darryl Sutter