ANAHEIM -- Through the past season, Ryan Kesler sightings in his home dressing room were nothing like those awkward ones of the past.
There was a laid-back vibe with the centre, often with him leaning against the wall, relaxed and -- shall we say it -- even beyond just cordial while chatting with the media.
Nothing like the sometimes tense events during his 10 seasons with the Vancouver Canucks. Maybe the SoCal lifestyle agreed with the oft-grumpy Kesler.
Not now. Not with the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs right before his eyes.
As the Anaheim Ducks and Calgary Flames readied to do battle in Thursday's curtain-raiser in their best-of-seven series, it was the Kesler of old during his 95 seconds spent with the media following his team's morning skate.