So, Hallander has appreciated every step of the progress that he’s made, particularly getting the chance to rejoin the guys.
“It’s a scary thing that he went through, and it’s a long road sometimes,” Kris Letang said. “It feels lonely. I’m sure he was eager to get out there and be with the boys. When you go through stuff like that, it’s a big accomplishment, especially for your self-confidence.”
In the locker room after practice, his teammates and coach talked about the impact Hallander made in the 13 games he played before getting sidelined. He scored his first NHL goal on Oct. 16 in Los Angeles, and was able to slot in on the top line alongside Bryan Rust and Sidney Crosby when the team faced injuries.
“He plays a good and hard north-south game and pays attention to all of the little details extremely well,” Rust said. “He’s a guy who you know what you’re going to get out of him. It’s going to be hard work, but he can make those little plays in tight. He can finish, too. I think he’s a great player.”
There’s a lot to like about what Hallander can bring. But what has been most impressive is his ability to take positives from a challenging time, for which the team gives him a lot of credit.
“His mindset has been fantastic,” Muse said. “I think he’s taken that approach. He’s controlled what he can control, which is the time in the gym, and a lot of skates by himself. Like, those are hard things. But every day that I’ve seen him, he’s had a smile on his face, and he’s just been excited to be here, and he’s excited to put in the work.”