Q&A: Girgensons reflects on first half of season

Zemgus Girgensons is committed to turning things around in Buffalo. Currently the organization's longest-tenured player, the 28-year-old alternate captain has embraced his role as a leader on a team full of young and emerging players.
"I have an emotional attachment to this team and to the city," Girgensons said. "This is where I got drafted and I've been here ever since. Buffalo deserves a winner, and I'm determined to make that happen. I believe the right people are in the building to make it happen."

Girgensons has had somewhat of a resurgent season following missing all of 2020-21 due a hamstring injury that occurred during training camp. In 34 games this season, Girgensons has 12 points (7+5) through 34 games, which puts him on pace for his highest point total since 2014-15.
Through the ups and downs of the first 42 games, the veteran's message to the team for the second half of the season is to learn from it all, and to put it in the rear-view mirror.
Girgensons met up with Sabres.com after practice at LECOM Harborcenter this week.

Sabres.com: At the halfway point in the season, where would you assess where the team is at in terms of your expectations for a young group with a lot of moving parts?
Girgensons:Overall, I think it's a process. We definitely still have tons of stuff to learn and improve on, but I love just seeing the growth in the younger guys - the way they carry themselves off the ice during tougher times. Being able to have fun over the long season is a good sign.
Prior to the start of this season you were named an alternate captain for the first time in your career. What has been the most rewarding part about being a captain to this group?
You know, I always believe that everyone's a leader in the room. It doesn't matter if you're 19, or one of the older guys. Regardless of age, you are still contributing in some way. But to officially be named a captain, it was a really big honor.
You said in your press conference after the 6-1 loss to Tampa Bay earlier this month that "I take it day-by-day, game-by-game, practice-by-practice. That's how you stick around in this league. It's up to guys to understand that you have to bring it everyday to stick around." Two days later the effort was much improved in a 4-1 win over the Predators. Seems to me like your words hold a lot of weight in the locker room.
Definitely. For me to say those things after the loss and have a message in the locker room is one thing. But the response to put it into action on the ice was great.

As a team, there's been lots of adversity you've had to battle like injuries and COVID cases. What has your message been to the guys during these less-than-ideal times?
Since the COVID breakouts and dealing with injuries, we've had a lot of rotating parts in the lineup. I think for the younger guys, they have gotten an opportunity to play a bigger role. And I think it's been a great way for them to learn and grow. I hope they continue to use the experience as motivation to get better.
You experienced a lower-body injury and missed five games before coming back Tuesday against Ottawa. Are you happy with the amount of games you've played so far considering you missed all of last season?
Yeah, definitely. You never like to miss games, but it was just something nagging over time. I feel really good out there right now. Before last year, I always played a lot of games, and now I'm getting back to that.
As I said before, there's always room to improve both individually and as a team. I've never been too crazy about scoring a bunch of points; instead, having perspective about making an impact on the overall game. But I think I've done some good things this year.

We've seen glimpses of stardom from a lot of younger players like Dylan Cozens, Rasmus Dahlin, Peyton Krebs and Jack Quinn when they've been on the ice. How impressed are you with their development?
It's just so great to watch. There's so much talent in this organization. This list just goes on and on. As I said before, I think the biggest sign for the elders in the first half is seeing the growth in the young guys. It's good to see.
Heading into the second half of the season, what are some of the goals that you have that could be individual or team oriented?
For the team to win more games. Take everything that we are learning and apply it. That's our job and why we are here. To me, it's always about winning games.
But for individual (goals), I don't really have any. I just have expectations of how I should be playing. But I guess we will see it on the ice.