Jim Nill Quotations

We'd like to get him up here. We just have to wait for the right time.

Niklas has got a little bit of Konstantinov in him -- not very big, but when he hits, he hits them hard.

He's got good offensive skills -- he's good defensively, great mobility, he's strong on his skates. He's one of our top young players.

He's been scoring goals. He's been setting up goals. He's going to the net hard. He's back-checking and playing well in his own zone. He's done everything we've asked him.

It depends on how he comes in and adapts, ... We have a history here and don't like to rush kids. We like to let them mature at their own pace. This will be his first training camp. Some, they're like a deer caught in the headlights. Others come in and grab the bull by the horn.

We get to know these kids on and off the ice. We get to see them compete against other top prospects, and it's a good tool to evaluate. We get to see what they can do.

We've only got so much room under the salary cap. Some guys are off your list automatically.

We wanted to get him over to see what we have. I thought he played very well in the prospects tournament and in camp. We are going to try and get him (in the USHL) so he can start working on his language and get him used to North American hockey.

We knew he was a good player and that's why we signed him. You never know how (Europeans) are going to adapt. It looks like he hasn't missed a beat.

We were pleasantly surprised. All scouts like good hockey players. It's rewarding to see good players and good games, because you see a lot of bad games and bad players.

We're very happy with him. He went over to Finland and was one of the leading scorers. It was a big year for him. That shows how he's maturing as a player.

We're very happy with him, ... He went over to Finland and was one of the leading scorers. It was a big year for him. That shows how he's maturing as a player.

You go into Russia and the game is supposed to be Tuesday and you're there and they say the game was yesterday.

Even though at 16, you can imagine how big he was then, I loved how he competed. He didn't weigh more than 150 pounds, but he just flattened guys. You love that, and with the way he moved the puck, he was just a nice package.

This may have been the most balanced (prospects) team we've had here.

It's a good way for them (young players) to start their season.

He's shown over the last three years that he's one of the top goalies in college hockey, ... He's played in pressure situations and at times had to carry the team. We think he's had great development and now is the proper time for him to turn pro.

Howard had an outstanding collegiate career. We expect him to come into camp battling for the No. 3 position.

Howard had an outstanding collegiate career, ... We expect him to come into camp battling for the No. 3 position. He's a strong prospect and we look forward to having him in our organization for many years.

He's not imposing to other players until he hits -- then he's imposing. He hit a guy in center ice, with his shoulder, a clean hit. The guy had his head down, and he ended up with a broken jaw and a concussion.

For the European players, they get an opportunity to adjust to the North American style of play, the rink, and it's an opportunity to play against players their age. There's a lot of pressure on them as it is, coming over (from Europe) maybe for the first time.