I've never seen a guy like that, ... Maybe Gordie Howe. Gordie didn't ever want to retire and that's how Mark was: I want to play forever. He never wanted to quit. I know it's going to be a tough day for him, being officially retired.

It's always a tough situation when a great player has to retire. He's meant so much to not only the National Hockey League, but the city of Pittsburgh and that franchise. You don't replace players like Mario Lemieux. He's a great hockey player and a good person. The game will miss him.

Yes, Sidney Crosby. He's the best player I've seen since Mario (Lemieux).

The sad thing about this whole scenario is that Rick is a wonderful person and a great guy, so I hope everything works out in his favor. It's hard because I love the guy. He's a great guy, you know. I just hope it all works out for him.

Obviously you don't replace a guy like Mario, not only what he does on the ice but his presence on the locker-room, how much the players respect him and how much they look up to him,

Ballard's hit tonight was a tremendous hit. I haven't seen that in hockey in 30 years, a hip check like that. We've got to keep believing what we're trying to accomplish here and stay within ourselves, not get too emotionally excited and not get too down, simple as that.