St. Louis: In "uncharted territory"

In today's Insider, I wrote about Martin St. Louis' struggles and approach, and here's some more of his thoughts from a heartfelt interview with the travelling writers yesterday in Calgary:

 “I haven’t gone through this in a long time so it’s a little bit of unchartered territory, meaning I haven’t experienced that type of adversity in a long time. The good thing is the team’s winning  That’s always the most important so you don’t put too much pressure on yourself. That’s easier said than done. I’m a hungry guy, " he said. "I'm wired that way. I’m a guy that maybe overthinks it and can be consumed by it.”

In a bare-bones dressing room at Max Bell Arena in Calgary after practice, he said his personal struggle on the ice reminds him of the 2005-06 season, after Tampa captured the Cup.

“And I had won a lot of individual awards. It was a tough year. It almost felt like everybody was watching you. I kind of feel that same way. I came out of that and I know I can come out of this. I’m getting tested mentally, no doubt. I’m going to come out of this as a better player. The good thing is, everybody, my family, my kids, is adjusting to the move (from Florida to Connecticut) really well. I’m taking the struggle. The team’s winning games but that’s what you’re after. If I scored every day and we lose, I’d have to answer different questions.”

St. Louis will skate with Brad Richards and Carl Hagelin Sunday in Edmonton, with just as much resolve as he's had in other slumps and hopes this trio will click.

“You’ve got to be aware of the people your playing with, how they play, they’re strengths,” he said. “Understand their tendencies so you can predict where the puck is going to go. It’s a game of inches. So you have to be able to predict. If you play in the present, it’s hard to create chances. If you play in the future, it’s easier to create more."