Stankoven talks playing in Vancouver, adapting to role with Hurricanes, capitalizing against reeling Canucks

MH: Outside of a blip last night [2-1 loss to Kraken in Seattle on Tuesday], it’s been a pretty hot run for your team. You’re leading the Eastern Conference. What’s working for this team this season?

LS: I think just our depth. Everyone has been contributing at different times, which is great. We do have some top guys, but a lot of nights it’s different guys chipping in and contributing to help the team win.

MH: Last week, it was a pretty special night for you on your 23rd birthday, a goal and an assist in a win. What stands out about that night?

LS: Yeah, it was awesome. I couldn’t have asked for a better game on my birthday and to get the win is a good feeling. That was our first game back after the Olympic break, so it was nice to chip in offensively and I feel like our line as a whole is contributing in a positive way.

MH: That was your first goal in 13 games. How nice was it to bump that slump?

LS: Yeah, it was very nice. There are ups and downs and sometimes you get on a hot streak and other times it’s a little bit of of a cold streak, but it’s nice to see it go in.

MH: From what I understand, you’ve been playing well. Goals and assists aside, with the way that your team plays specifically and with you playing centre, are your defensive responsibilities just as important if not more important than what you’re producing offensively?

LS: Yeah, I think it is. I think just with the position that I’m in, when it comes to scoring, it’s more of a secondary scoring role, second-line power-play minutes. It is nice to chip in here and there, but the main thing is just keeping the puck out of our own net and being solid defensively. We have those star guys like Jarvis and Aho who can put the puck in the net. It is nice to obviously get on the scoresheet and help out, but I think if we do our job in our own zone, the rest will kind of take care of itself.

MH: Is that something that’s different for you to get used to? You do feed off the momentum you get when you score. You’ve always been that way. Is it something that you have to adapt to a little bit?

LS: Yeah. It has been the last couple of years since joining the NHL. Everyone’s good here. The difference between the first and fourth line is very minimal. I think you’ve got to take your role and do it to the best of your abilities and then show up to the rink with a smile on your face and learn. I think it’s a great way to grow as a player. Growing up, I was always a guy that was relied upon to score and to be a top guy. Now, it’s more secondary scoring and I’m learning how to play the two-way game and be responsible on defence, as well.

MH: We talked at the start of the season and you told me faceoffs is an area you really want to work on. How’s that going?

LS: I think it’s been getting better. I’ve felt like I’m more comfortable in the dot and there are just certain things that I’ve picked up from other teammates or coaches.

MH: This will be the second time you play in Vancouver. I don’t think your dad’s doing the whole organizing thing this time around.

LS: I think he’s kind of kept in connection with people that want to come down, but he’s not the one organizing the tickets and hotels and whatnot. Last year, before I was traded, he was kind of organizing that all. There were hundreds of people coming down and then everything changed so fast and I was traded, so that was a bit disappointing. But this year he’s kind of keeping his paws out of it. If people want to come, that’s awesome. If not, it’s not a big deal.

MH: With the Canucks, I think it’s hard to argue against the fact they are in a state of disarray as a franchise. When you’re a player and you realize you’re coming in to play a team that is struggling so much, does it effect your mindset at all?

LS: Yeah, those are tough games just because there are no easy games in the league. I think just the way people are and in our mindsets, if you’re playing a team that’s kind of below you in the standings, sometimes you play down to them or you don’t show up. In this league, you can’t do that, like we saw last night when we lost to Seattle. We’ve got to show up ready to go.

MH: Have you ever taken a second to think about what your career might look like had you been drafted by the Canucks? It was a real possibility.

LS: I haven’t really put too much thought into that. I think obviously it would have been cool. But, at the end of the day, I think God has a plan and you kind of have your own path. I’ve been really grateful to be in Dallas and now in Carolina. You go down certain paths for a reason and you learn lots and maybe some day I do end up in Vancouver, but I’m very happy in Carolina and trying to focus on winning a Cup here

MH: Anything interesting going on away from the ice?

LS: No. Business as usual. I don’t really have anything crazy going on. Off today, so probably going to catch up with the family, maybe go for dinner tonight and just kind of take it easy. It’s raining out here today. It’s supposed to rain all day here in Vancouver.

by Marty Hastings

Stankoven talks playing in Vancouver, adapting to role with Hurricanes, capitalizing against reeling Canucks

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