The main focus for the collection of NHL talent on hand for the NEO Kids - Sudbury fundraising game last Sunday, in concert with a cross-section of local doctors, was undoubtedly the cause at hand.
But as long as the lads were around, it would have been silly not to canvas them regarding their upcoming NHL season.
And as is always the case with Nick Foligno, he was nothing if not candidly honest regarding the importance of the 2018-2019 campaign for himself and his Columbus Blue Jacket teammates.
"We have to win a playoff round, and not just one - I want many," said the 30-year-old team captain. "We're a team that needs to understand that we have to take another step. We've taken a step in the sense that we've made the playoffs twice, and that's great, but we're not in the game just to make the playoffs, we're in the game to win.
"We have to realize that we have a great opportunity, right now, to be that team that we envision. You have a small window in the NHL to win, and we feel that we are in that right now."
In a sense, Columbus defenceman Seth Jones embodies the "next step" possibilities that are so tantalizing for the Jackets. Just 23 years of age, the former #4 overall NHL draft selection is already heading into his sixth full season of NHL play, an astounding 393 games under his belt despite his youth.
With that in mind, it stands to reason that folks who follow the league believe that Jones is poised to move into the conversation among the league's elite blueliners, with whispers of Norris Trophy potential in the mix.
"Next year will be my sixth year already, and it doesn't sound like much, but you learn a lot in five, six years," he said. "It's not always a matter of going a thousand miles per hour. Sometimes going slower is better. You learn to see the play a little bit more, so I think you can anticipate it a little bit more, maybe not chase it as much as a forward. That's kind of why I like playing defense."
And though Columbus head coach John Tortorella may have clashed, at times, with members of the media, Jones has no issue at all with the man to whom he ultimately must answer.
"I like his honesty," said Jones. "He will tell you how it is, whether you're playing good or playing bad. You can always go into the coach's room, any time you need to, ask him questions. He will give you a straight up direct answer. I think that's healthy. I think you need that."
In his first season as a member of the Minnesota Wild, Marcus Foligno fell short of hitting the double digit mark in goals, though his post-season performance (a goal in five games) provided some reason for optimism for the local product who only just celebrated his 27th birthday.
"The way things ended last year, especially with the presence I had in the playoffs, that felt really good about what I was contributing to the team," said the younger Foligno brother. "This is a deep team, a really good club, but I would like to play more of a role and be counted on.
"If I can contribute on the penalty kill and stuff like that, I think I can be more effective that way."
Part of the challenge, for Foligno, lies in the very nature of his game. A physical presence throughout his OHL career, the 6-3, 230 pound winger has had to learn to curtail his "bull in a china shop" approach, at least to some extent.
"That was something that was challenging at the get go," he said. "The experienced guys, the older guys, they've learned how to play an 82 game schedule. That's what I had to learn about myself. There were still nights when I was playing that old style wrecking ball Marcus Foligno hockey, and then there were some nights when it just wasn't there. I need to find that balance."
Drafted by Minnesota in the fifth round of the 2018 Entry Draft, Damien Giroux is still dreaming of the day when he can contemplate looking to improve on an NHL season that was. In the meantime, he will try and enjoy every moment.
"This is an amazing opportunity for me, to be able to help out Nick and Marcus," said Giroux. "I'm going to soak everything up, try and keep it simple out there, and have some fun out there."
Spoken like an NHL vet.
