The interminable, historic wait is almost over for Penguins defenseman Ron Hainsey.
No NHL player has played more regular-season games than Hainsey's 906 without experiencing postseason hockey.
That run will end this week, and Hainsey's thrilled to finally get to experience the Stanley Cup playoffs firsthand, instead of watching them on television.
"I'm ready," Hainsey said. "It was great to lock up home ice on Thursday. We have a week to get prepared and get ourselves fully focused on Columbus. I'm very excited to get going and be part of what we hopefully can turn into a great run here."
If the Penguins do make a run, Hainsey and his unique personality could wind up becoming a big factor. On a team with a bunch of talented but young and quiet defenseman, Hainsey is the opposite.
He's 36, full of confidence and doesn't have much use for silence or beating around the bush. Once you get to know him, Hainsey's also funny, sarcastic and completely unafraid of shaking things up.
"He calls it like he sees it," said Penguins associate general manager Bill Guerin, who coached an 8-year-old Hainsey at the Gary Dineen Hockey School. "I don't think there's much he wouldn't say to anybody."
Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said he manages Hainsey much like he does Patric Hornqvist, and that's with this simple directive: Be who you are, and we'll love you for it.
"I think diversity is good for a group," Sullivan said. "I think it adds personality to our team. I think if we were all the same we'd be boring.
"I love Patric Hornqvist on the bench because he wears his emotions right on his sleeve; it's my job to make sure I keep him in check. I don't ever want him to lose his energy, his fire or his passion. I think that brings personality to our team.
"I think Ronnie's one of those guys. I think he brings another dimension to the personality of our group that I think helps us be the team that we are."
Goaltending coach Mike Bales watches Marc-Andre Fleury practice moves around the net at the Penguins practice at the Consol Energy Center in 2014.
