That's not something I thought I would ever do, starting my career against (Detroit), in the same division, playing them eight times a year. That's going to be a lot different for me to change to red jerseys.
I'm still in a little bit of shock that it didn't work out, just kind of the way the years went. I guess if you see my performance declining or something, then you're like, Maybe there's something there.' That's still like raw to me. I had to let some of the dust settle and I guess I still have to let that happen."
After the performance, the loyalty, winning the Stanley Cup, leaving, coming back, leaving, coming back, all that combined, I just felt like if you wanted someone, you make it happen, you find a way. There's no excuse there for me. That's what is really hurting me for sure. I'm not saying it's going to be the right or wrong decision from the team perspective, but I just kind of felt like I commanded and earned that a little bit.
I just felt like that was going to be an easy extension to get done over the summer. I wasn't going to be crazy. I just wanted something where I felt respected. I see my perspective, I don't see necessarily everything, but I truly believe in life when you want to make something happen, you do. I'm not trying to prove a point. That's just life if you want to get it done, you get it done.
The Red Wings are a team that I think are ready to take the next step in their evolution and I wanted to be a part of that.
