"He's done a great job in being firm, being patient and being positive in recognizing what the situation requires," Payne said. "He's got his message through, and he's reinforced his message when necessary. But he's also made sure that the group understands this is a process that we're going to have to get ourselves through and push ourselves through."

Housley is clearly putting the onus on himself to teach the players. While the assistants may have more on-ice say as the season gets rolling, Housley was the voice in every training-camp practice session.

"He was an unbelievable player to watch, and just to watch him out here and how he reacts and how interacts with the guys, it's awesome," Rochester Americans coach Chris Taylor said. "He's in tune with the game, and he's very involved. He wants to make sure the guys know what they're doing and there's no question marks.

"He's the head coach, so he wants everybody to know he's watching everything you do. When he talks, everybody listens."

But, again, it's not a dictatorship. Housley is trying to incorporate everyone's thoughts. It's the biggest change he's noticed in the rise from assistant coach to head man.