From interviews with younger guys I’ve heard names like Kadri, Weegar, and Lomberg pop up as playing big roles in helping the young guys along directly. Backlund often gets acknowledged as setting the culture tone, but I haven’t read anything about him taking anybody under his wing. Haven’t heard much regarding Andersson or Coleman, and obviously we all know Huberdeau and Pelletier had a strong connection, but outside of that who knows.
I don’t know what (if anything) there is to take from that. I’m sure other players have mentioned others. But I think a veteran presence, especially of those guys who are happy to help the young guys directly and guys who have won it all before is really valued by those young players.
I think more than just veterans, it’s important to have a few veterans that have either been with the team a while, are going to be with the team a while, or have won a cup (or some combination of the three).
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