The pressure has been getting to us and we're sitting back and being a little too careful and allowing teams to come to us. We had our chances when they weren't on their game early. The third period just opened up.

We've been keeping an eye on it by having the test done, and that's ... allowed us to catch it so early. But it has been something that probably has preyed on my mind throughout the season. I just had to work through it.

When I saw him in Florida, all I really knew was he had good feet. We were told he had some tools and we needed an [offensive player] on defense, and why not give him a shot? But, see, a guy like that has to be given a chance over a period of time. A player like that can't show what he can do in one game.

Since I've had 11 (surgeries) in my life and I've always come through fine, this is nothing new for me.

I'm optimistic. The doctors seem quite confident.

The doctor responsible for health care in that region advised us that these people needed to be removed to receive proper treatment. And that's the advice we accepted.