FLAMES: Galiardi learned much in San Jose
SAN JOSE — It’s only natural. Your ears perk up when your former employers are mentioned.
Not that T.J. Galiardi has had to strain lately to hear about the Colorado Avalanche (the club that drafted him 55th overall in 2007) and the San Jose Sharks (for whom he played before joining the Calgary Flames).
The Avs, under the guidance of Patrick Roy, are 6-0-0. And the Sharks? Well, it seems like nearly everything is being viewed through teal-tinted glasses during the early stages of the National Hockey League’s regular season:
There’s Tomas Hertl and his four-goal outburst, which included, depending on your point of view, a display of either hot-dogging or supreme confidence.
There’s Brad Stuart’s elbow to the coconut of Rick Nash, which concussed the New York Rangers winger and earned the defenceman a three-game suspension.
There’s Danny Boyle, knocked out cold by Maxim Lapierre. (“I saw the hit,” says Galiardi, “and you never want to see anyone, especially one of your buddies, get hurt.”)
There’s the Sharks’ start, which, prior to Thursday’s assignment in Dallas, had been pristine, 6-0-0.
Oh — and there’s Joe Thornton’s controversial comment in the aftermath of Hertl’s highlight-reel tally.
“He’s an outgoing guy. He’s never had a bad day,” Galiardi, grinning, says of Thornton.
“Sometimes you say things out of context and the media … you don’t really think they’re going to write it down. But you know what? It really doesn’t matter that much. You’re allowed to say something every now and then that’s a little crossing the line, I guess.
“I’m just glad it wasn’t me.”
Well, it had been Galiardi last spring.
While working diligently on the Sharks’ top unit with Brent Burns and Thornton, he had popped off about the Los Angeles Kings goalie’s antics.
Galiardi accused Jonathan Quick — “You skate by and you don’t even touch him — or you barely even touch him — and he’s throwing his hands in the air. It’s kind of one of those things — he looks bad on video, not me.”
Drew Doughty, in turn, accused Galiardi — “It’s just funny to even hear that from a guy who is the biggest diver on their team. You can just watch three of his shifts and you’ll see how many times he dives.
“There’s been times where even the refs are telling him, ‘Just get up,’ because he’s diving so often.”
That, of course, is the fun of the post-season.
The Flames have missed out on those thrills for four straight years.
But the Sharks have rattled off nine straight qualifications — and counting. Galiardi is asked what he noticed about their recipe for success.
“We had so many good leaders, older guys,” he explains. “A few of them took me under their wing, Jumbo especially. It was good to watch those guys and see how they were getting it done for so long. It’s one of those organizations that just knows how to win. It’s coming to the rink every day with your work boots on and knowing you’re going to win, having that swagger.
“Even when you’re down a goal — or two goals — good teams know that they’re going to come back and win. That’s what we’re trying to create around here.”
From Thornton, in particular, Galiardi learned loads — much of it about embracing an aggressive approach.
“Just having a hunger to get the puck,” says the 25-yearold. “That’s the biggest thing about him — he wants the puck all the time and when he doesn’t get it, he’s not happy. That’s the biggest thing — always wanting it.”
Despite the undeniable impact of his exposure to the Sharks’ program, Galiardi spent only 64 games, including playoffs, with San Jose. But he enjoyed the stint. “Awesome — I loved it. There’s so much to do within an hour or two … it was a good place, but I’m happy to be in Calgary.”