"I'm pretty happy. It's always tough to leave somewhere and all the friends you made. But if there was one place I could go, this would definitely be it. First thing, I'm just excited to be here. This has become home for me. This is where I spend the summers and I love it down here.

"I was surprised coming here definitely. I figured something was going to happen with one of our forwards today, whether myself, Briere, Gagne or Hartnell. I figured someone was on their way out soon there, just because they need a defenseman there. It's a good pickup for them and hopefully I can get back to where I left off here a couple of years ago. I love it down here. A lot of the players have changed, but it's still the same staff. I'm just really excited right now."

On being traded away from Anaheim nearly three years ago:
"It was tough. There was some mixed emotions. It's tough when you're traded the first time, especially when you're young. I talked to Luca Sbisa and he's feeling the same way right now. You almost feel like you're not really wanted by that team, which usually isn't the case. It's teams trying to improve their team, especially now with the salary cap, everything is different. I think as you get older and you mature a bit as a player, that is not really the case. You just learn to take it and make the most of it. Obviously, this for me is just an awesome situation. I hope to be here for a long time this time."