Vanek: Montreal 'exactly what I had in mind'

The Montreal Gazette explains how Thomas Vanek has been soaking up the playoff atmosphere in his new city, particularly at the Bell Centre for Game 3 of the Canadiens series with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Vanek indicated "it’s something I’ll remember forever. The energy of the building was cool."

On the subject of trying to blend in with the crowd while strolling around town:

“If you’re the only guy walking around in a suit (after a game), it’s tough to hide,” Vanek joked. “But it’s something I’m enjoying now and having fun with. Going to games and walking back after takes me a little longer now. Besides that, Montreal is exactly what I had in mind.

“Since I’ve been here, win or lose, there haven’t been too many highs or lows, which on past teams I’ve been with has been a bit of an issue. Here, it hasn’t been at all, which is great.

“There are a lot of guys here who have had big roles on other teams or this team. As a group, we’re happy for each other. It doesn’t matter who’s scoring, a lot of guys are feeling good about their game.”

Naturally Vanek, an unrestricted free agent this summer, was asked about his contract situation.

“I haven’t worried about a contract since last summer,” Vanek said Monday. “It’s not fair right now to anyone to even think about it. We’re here to win the playoff game.

“There’s still lots of time (after the season’s over),” he said, to consider the future.

Source: Dave Stubbs, Montreal Gazette