“There’s no need to name one. There’s no clear-cut one. I think our 30 and older age group, we have two guys that represent us very well, as quite honest, you could say co-captains in Mikael [Backlund] and Tanny [Chris Tanev]. But I also think in that group there’s what, about seven Stanley Cups? So those guys don’t have to have a C on them. They get it. So it’s still, it’s got to come out of that 23-29 age group. You’re still looking for it.”

“He’s around the facility. It’s really nice to have him,” coach Sheldon Keefe said ahead of Thursday’s game against Washington. “We wanted him to be a part of things and having some experiences with our with our team.

“To be here and still a big smile on his face, in the facility every single day. He’s got the ultimate battle ahead of him here. And he’s right in the thick of it.”

“I told him control what you can. Better now than mid-year, end of the season. The little silver lining is it’s allowing us to give more touches, more reps to our young D-men. I think when Matheson comes back we’re going to be maybe a little further along with our young D-men than if he was here and eating a lot of ice time. So there’s a silver lining there. I know it’s unfortunate that we lost him and I know he’s disappointed. But control what you can.”