The Scriv-interview, Part III: Ben Scrivens on lockouts and trucks

It’s the offseason, and I was able to get a hold of Ben Scrivens for a lengthy interview and cut into three parts.The first part dealt with Scrivens’ 2012 season, the second part dealt with his view of the media in covering the game, and this third and final part deals with Scrivens’ as an individual, along with his views on a potential lockout.

This offseason is a little different. It’s obviously been shortened due to our lengthy run, but it’s not all that different from a player’s offseason regimen. We’re working out, we’re on the same workout routine.

If we were doing some more goaltender specific stuff, I focus more on lower body strength and power and explosiveness than upper body. I’m not really shooting the puck that much. I’m not cross-checking guys or body checking. I need to stay limber and quick. You still need a good, solid core strength, and anaerobic and aerobic fitness that the players have also. Generally speaking, it’s very similar to what a forward or a defencemen’s offseason is with some minor tweaks and adjustments to fit the position a bit more.

It’s definitely affected it, but it’s affected every single player in the league. It’s not that this has held just me back. It’s definitely set back the process. I’d definitely love to have something signed at this point in the summer, but at the same time, the season hasn’t started yet, so it’s not like I’m in a real bind at this point right now. In terms of how talks are going, that’s up to management and my agent to figure all that stuff out.

My agent, we’ve sat down and talked numerous times about what I want and where I see myself, and at this point, I’m kind of sitting in the stands watching because I’ve got no input in terms of how things are going to play out from this point forward. I’m just anxious to see how things are going to play out.

My opinion is probably not very sympathetic to either side. Obviously I think that, as a player, we’re looking for a fair contract, something that’s going to allow us to play and to protect ourselves for years to come, but on the other hand I can see some of the arguments that the owners make, too. Really I’m kind of on the outside looking in, too. I’m not a bonafide NHL guy. Nobody calls me to ask my opinion.

Ok – very few people call to ask me my opinion on it. The other thing too is you can extrapolate this out to what I was talking about regarding the game of hockey. This isn’t just a simple solution to this problem. The reason that these things take so long is because there’s so many dynamic forces that go into it. A seemingly small decision can end up extrapolating itself into huge ramifications later on. You can look at how contracts have ended up this year. It seems like 15-year deals are almost the norm these days with them being tailored off at the end.

Personally I don’t think those are great for the game…I wouldn’t mind signing one, but there’s so much that goes into these decisions that you can’t make any of these decisions lightly. Smarter people than I are going to be working and earning their money to come to a compromise and make a deal that’s best for all parties involved. I anxiously waiting to see how things are going to play out. I definitely hope that there’s no lockout if that’s the case. If there is, we’re hoping that it’s going to be a short one and both sides can come together and make a deal that’s best for everybody.

It was fantastic! It was a great day. Got married out in Canmore, Alberta. A lot of friends and family around. It was just a great day, and it’s been a whirlwind of a summer with all the things that go along with that. That’s probably an even bigger reason that I’m looking forward to getting back on the ice because I need a little bit more of a solid routine than what we’ve been subject to this summer in terms of travelling and seeing everyone we need to see after a big day like that.

Oh absolutely!

Why would I get rid of a majestic beast like that?

It’s a ’98 Chevy 1500.

No, no, no. Absolutely not. That’s only when I’m low on gas.

Nah, not really. I’m not really in a position where I’m forced to get a new vehicle at this moment. I’d much rather spend my money on experiential things, you know. Vacations and trips and doing things with friends than going out and buying a Lexus like many of my teammates have done.

The Red Dragon. You think I should put the Red Dragon on the mask? That might clash with the colour scheme of the blue and white, though. That’s the issue.

On the back? Well, maybe. It’s an idea. I’ll have to run it by my painter when the time comes.