It is not, Mike Matheson said, that he isn't culpable for any of the problems that he experienced in Florida during the past couple of seasons. While the Panthers failed to use him in all of the situations that that would have taken full advantage of his abilities, he makes no attempt to deflect responsibility.
But Matheson, who the Penguins acquired with forward Colton Sceviour Thursday in exchange for Patric Hornqvist, also believes that his new team's style dovetails perfectly with his talents.
The ones, it should be noted, that allowed him to perform at a level that prompted Florida to give him an eight-year contract in 2018.
"Things just weren't really working," Matheson told a conference call Friday, referring to this past season. "I feel like I wasn't always being put in the best opportunity to succeed and, obviously, I blame myself for that, too. There were times when my game just wasn't where it should be. Having said that, I think the amount of games I've seen Pittsburgh play, I've always kind of had it in my head that they play a game that I would love to be a part of. The way they play will complement my skill set well, and I'll hopefully be able to assimilate into their lineup and be able to help as much as possible."
Precisely where he'll fit into that lineup isn't clear. Matheson, a left-handed shot, said he is "very comfortable" playing the right side, and using him there could ease the congestion at left defense.
Sceviour suggested that regardless of where Matheson is deployed, his impact could be significant.
"He can skate as well as almost anyone in the league," Sceviour said. "He's got a cannon for a shot. I think he's a really good NHL defenseman. Maybe last year wasn't the best we've seen from him, but a couple of years ago, I've seen him play at his best. He's very, very capable of playing a lot of different roles, whether it's offensive or defensive."
Matheson cited the Penguins' transition game, the way they can turn the play in the other direction in a split-second when they get possession of the puck, as an area where his skating and puck-moving abilities will come into play.
"They're such a great transition team, and that makes them so difficult to play against," he said. "I know from playing them that you think you're on offense, then all of a sudden they've turned over the puck and are sending it right down your throat on a two-on-one, three-on-two. That quick transition is so difficult to play against. I think that's what I'm good at, and I'm able to help with."
Matheson, 26, singled out Kris Letang, with whom he has trained during the offseason, as being particularly effective in that aspect of the game, but reserved his most effusive praise for Sidney Crosby.
"He was my favorite player growing up," Matheson said. "Playing against him, I learned to appreciate the reason I liked him so much. He's made me look stupid a few times, but it's pretty impressive to be on the ice with a guy like that."
Sceviour shares not only Matheson's respect for Crosby -- "You know that if you don't do everything perfect, he's going to make you look bad" -- but his willingness to work on either side of the ice. Although he is regarded as a right winger, Sceviour also has experience on the left side.
"I actually probably played left wing more last year than I played right," he said. "We had a fourth line of all right-handed shots, so I went over to the left side. I've probably played more right wing in my career, but as far as comfort-wise, I'm pretty comfortable on both sides. That's kind of an easy flip-flop for me."
If Mike Sullivan and his staff agree, Sceviour could be plugged into left wing on the fourth line while Zach Aston-Reese, who played there last season, recovers from shoulder surgery.
Sceviour is 31, a veteran from whom the Penguins can expect good blue-collar work and good penalty-killing.
The merits of the trade, though, ultimately will be determined mostly by whether the Penguins can get Matheson's game back in synch, get him to perform consistently at the level he reached a few years ago with the Panthers.
"Their whole lineup, it seems like (the Penguins) get the best out of their players," Matheson said. "For me, it's definitely a great opportunity for a fresh start. Being able to join up with the players they have on their roster is super-exciting. I wish the season was starting tomorrow. It's tough to get news like this and have to wait a few more months to get on the ice with everyone."
Matheson was the 23rd player selected in the 2012 NHL Draft, which was held at PPG Paints Arena (then known as Consol Energy Center). He's been back a number of times with the Panthers, and said he is eager to report for work there on a regular basis.
"Every game I've played in Pittsburgh, the building is always so loud and it's packed," Matheson said. "There's a huge buzz for their games. I'm really excited to be on the receiving end of that."