So there is a sense of urgency, yes. And ambition. Certainly. Those competitive intangibles never diminish.
"Dealing with some issues away from the rink at a young age (the death of best pal and surrogate brother Brendan Horton, aged 21, of cancer a few years ago) that have provided me with … perspective, I guess," says Gillies.
So he won't allow his insides to get wound tighter than those of a Titleist 3. That, he understands, would simply not be good for business.
"If you look at the development model for goalies nowadays,'' he points out, "it's not the Marc-Andre Fleury model in Pittsburgh anymore.
"It's the Cory Schneider, Corey Crawford, Braden Holtby model. We all want to get to the NHL as quickly as possible, right? But sometimes that doesn't happen as fast you want. So you keep plugging. Keep working. Keep improving.
"What you've got to be is playing. Wherever. Whether you're in the NHL or the minors.
"What I was thankful for is that last year, whether I was in Stockton or in Calgary, I was playing most nights."
Over the past two seasons, Gillies has made 85 starts for the Heat. Up top, he made a single appearance two seasons ago and bumped that total to 11 last year.
"If you look at my starts when Smitty was hurt and at the end of the year, I think I'm ready to take that - quote - next step - unquote,'' he says.
"I think I showed that in Stockton all year, too. It was tough not reaching the playoffs at the end but a fun year anyway.
"Looking back at my career path and the opportunities I've been given, I think I've shown my abilities to rise to the occasion.
So fully understanding what's at stake, the hole that needs filling, how far he's come and how hard he's worked to get here, the philosophy still doesn't alter one iota.
"Same old,'' he replies when asked for a game-plan heading into September. "Do my best and let the chips fall where they may.
"So many variables are out of your control.
"Hockey's my job but it's also a game. So don't get too high, or too low. This is supposed to be fun. That's what we start playing for in the first place. Fun.
"So play hockey. Stop pucks. Wherever I am.
"I've been on a path where I've played a lot of games. I've had a lot of chances to show what I can do. This will be another one.
"And you can't ask for much more than that."