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Heady play, says Craig, is his path to more NHL action
If center Ryan Craig does spend the rest of the regular season with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, he is on pace to break his AHL career-high of 45 points in a season. Heading into Saturday night’s game at Abbotsford, Craig had 38 points.
BILL TARUTIS/for the times leader
It felt good to Ryan Craig to return to a place he hadn’t been in more than a year.
Refreshing, as the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins captain said.
When Craig was recalled to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Feb. 10, it marked his first NHL action since Nov. 14, 2009 when he was a member of the Tampa Lightning.
Craig, 29, is no stranger to the NHL, having played in 184 games with Tampa Bay during the last five seasons before the six-game stint with Pittsburgh last month.
For Craig, the brief stay with Pittsburgh was proof that he still has what it takes to play in the top league in the world.
He hopes others see it that way as well.
“I hope I can be a valuable member of the Pittsburgh Penguins this year. I hope I put myself in a position that if they need somebody, I’m strongly considered,” Craig said. “Obviously I would’ve liked to have stayed longer (than six games), but I didn’t think I hurt myself.”
If anything, Craig proved he is willing to play any role asked of him to stay in the NHL. A center with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton for most of the season, Craig played on the wing with Pittsburgh. He killed penalties, skated on the fourth line, blocked shots, stuck up for his teammates and got into a few fights.
“He did everything he possibly could to stay in the lineup and show he’s a team guy,” said Wilkes-Barre/Scranton head coach John Hynes. “He now has his name back in those circles and proved at this point in his career he can absolutely play in the NHL.”
With eight professional seasons under his belt, including six in the AHL, Craig is also proving that he knows how to put his experience to good use.
By Craig’s own admission, he might not be the fastest or prettiest skater, but he hasn’t let that become a detriment to his game.
Instead, Craig focuses on his strong points – toughness and hockey smarts – to have success.
“I’ve always prided myself on being a smart hockey player that can read the play and know where to be,” he said.
Since Jan. 1, Craig’s approach has kept him scoring at a point-per-game pace. In his first 25 games since the start of the new year, Craig has posted nine goals and 16 assists for 25 points.
In the 30 games he played before Jan. 1, Craig recorded 13 points while spending the early part of the season battling back from a bothersome hamstring injury.
Why the big turnaround?
“I feel refreshed,” Craig said. “I’ve gotten over whatever little nagging things were bothering me and I’m confident, which is a huge part of it. Once you get on a bit of a roll, things just start to go.”
Hynes suggested another reason for Craig’s success – dedication. On practice days, Craig is the first one to arrive at the rink and the last one to leave, Hynes said. Even on an off day, Craig still shows up at the Ice Rink at Coal Street to work out and take care of his body.
“It’s a combination of his mindset, character and willingness to take care of himself – all on top of his experience as a player,” Hynes said.
If Craig does spend the rest of the regular season with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, he is on pace to break his AHL career-high of 45 points in a season.
Asked if that matters to him, Craig replies with a quick “nope.”
What does matter, he added, are the wins that the Penguins have been piling up all season. More important than his own stats are an East Division title, home-ice advantage in the playoffs and a deep push into the postseason, Craig said.
But that certainly doesn’t mean Craig doesn’t feel the importance of contributing to the scoresheet.
“I do feel I need to contribute, just as we need contributions from everybody on this team,” he said. “But that’s the difference between this team and others that I’ve played on. Everyone here believes they can score on every shift. We’re a confident group.”
That confidence is contagious, and that, coupled with his competitiveness, are the main reasons why Craig says his NHL days aren’t over.
“It’s the best league in the world and you play against the greatest players in the game. That’s the part I miss most,” he said. “That’s what drives you.”