“It’s hard to judge because I haven’t played since December. Training camp was excellent, then a few matches went well, but then the biggest problems with the hip started and it was a fight from there. Before the season, I imagined it would definitely be different, but there is nothing that can be done — I have to look ahead to the next season.”

“Simple answer. I played in camp for 17-18 minutes in one match and I was also in the first powerplay formation. The season came and I played 12-13 minutes in some matches, but there were two losses in a row and the coach, even though he told me that he was satisfied with my performances, had to change things. My ice time was falling, and it was harder. When a player like me plays little and doesn’t get on the ice during the powerplay, you can see. I also needed a little luck, maybe a goal bouncing in off the knee or something. In the end, the operation came anyway.”

“I had a problem with (my hip) for about two years, but I always got cortisone injections. I had the last one in the summer in Košice and I already felt that it had a weaker effect than others before. I still managed through camp, but at the end of it, the doctors in Edmonton and I agreed that it was time for the next one. It hurt a lot. It was exactly when I was supposed to start with Draisaitl and McDavid in the first game of the NHL season. So I wanted to postpone it by a week and wait for a three-day break in our schedule, but Coach Tippet ordered me to resolve it as soon as possible. So I missed the first match, the team won and the lineup didn’t change. So I started on the fourth line.”

“Four months. After thirteen weeks, I was ready to play. They were great at Edmonton, and I did my best to get up to speed. I have managed rehabilitation after surgery quite well in the past. I basically came back and when I was ready to play, they interrupted the season.”