What happened: Ryan Craig, Brayden McNabb and William Karlsson each addressed the media after Friday's practice. Craig said the whole group is having fun together right now.

Why it matters: Early-season practice availabilities carry limited competitive weight beyond continuity and mood. Regular turns from the head coach and veteran skaters establish the baseline before the next game date.

What to watch: The next practice and game-day skate will show whether the lineup and workload remain unchanged.