For one, the timing is really bad. It?s November. The team hasn?t even played 20 games yet. The Devils aren?t exactly dead in the water. There?s no need to even comment at all.
Then, not only does he answer it, he gives the newspaper a book worth of quotes. Simple answer to the question: ??Marty, would you be open to considering a trade to a contender?? ??I?m not even thinking about that right now. I?m focused on helping this team.? He did essentially say that among his sea of quotes, but that should have been his ONLY response.