Merle

What I'm seeing every night is crazy.

What do you think kind of, not necessarily click, but what brought him to this level this year and what he's been able to do for you guys?

So you mentioned the draft, and Wes Clark, who I know was with you in Toronto.

Yeah.

Did you have any idea that Kendo would be playing for you guys this quick, let alone coming up on 20 goals?

The guy doesn't turn 19 for, I think, another week.

And you see 11th overall, and you're like, oh, we got a player there in the future.

But I certainly didn't think maybe this season he'd be in the lineup playing this well.

I'm wondering too about Malkin, right?

Like luckily I had the chance to play with him.

That's what I was going to ask about.

And it's so funny.

And, like, what's crazy for Biz and I have talked, when we played with him, he didn't really speak English.

So, like, his personality, I didn't get to, you know, really understand.

It's become evident since.

But over a point per game this year, another one I probably didn't see coming.

I don't know if you would talk to him in the offseason.

I know, obviously, the contract's become a big story.

But how have you enjoyed kind of working with him and what he's done this year?

And how much of a character is he as you've gotten to know him?