Hurricanes
Brind'Amour: We're definitely in discussions, but we like our group too
As trade deadline quickly approaches, Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind'Amour continues to take questions about any potential moves. Brind'Amour also gave an update on goaltender Freddie Andersen
You kind of said it would be up to Freddie as to when he's ready. Has he given you a green light yet or are you still waiting on that? Uh, no, not yet. I mean, I think we'll, you know, I know we'll have to make a decision here tonight on what, what we're doing. And, um, but I haven't talked to him after practice today, but I know we're, we're pushing there. It's certainly keep saying around the corner, but I don't know yet. Yeah, he skated this morning earlier. Um, I think he's fine too. So I think we're getting healthier here, that's for sure. Yeah, that was tough, tough period. A couple of mistakes and, you know, we ended up in our net and not the, not we, we were doing ok up until that point. It just, that happened. So, um, yeah, that, that, that didn't sit right for a few days, that's for sure. Are you looking at what other teams are doing as far as, you know, we're starting to see trades kind of shake free Florida. Get Tasko a little bit ago. And, um, are you are cognizant of that or are you just focus, I mean, obviously we, we see it. Um, yeah, teams looking at what they think they need and they, you know, making their moves and I think, you know, we're, we're definitely in discussions with things, but I think we like our group too. So, um, now we'll see when you, uh, you seem to be cruising since Christmas. But what could you pinpoint one aspect in the team's game? That, that was not quite there before? Yeah. Yeah, I mean, we talked about it a lot around here is our goal is got really just kind of buckled down and made the difference. I mean, I don't think our game changed much at all, all year. Um, but definitely in the net that those guys got really dialed in and that's been the, that's been the one significant change. I mean, there's little things here and there, certain players maybe playing a little better, but realistically it was, that was the, the difference. I mean, maybe never out of it, but since you guys have maybe kind of overcome that craziness, does that give you a little bit more confidence to have, you know, to like the group? Yeah, I think if you don't have that, that, that puts everything kind of every little thing that goes, you start questioning it. And I think suddenly when you have our goals have been good that, that definitely, um, gives you a better picture. Look at your, your group now is a, is ok. What are we? And I think that's better assess how I guess what we need to do or don't do so. Yeah, that answers, that answers your question. You said the other day, you know, guys are thinking about the deadline. Can you as a coach? Can you feel that weight at all on those guys or, or not really? I mean, it's, you know, everybody knows it's there, We don't talk about it. I mean, it's, you know, it's coming, I mean, you see it like you said, guys are watching what's happening but um, you know, you control what you can control and I think guys all understand it's big, big hockey, it's part of the business. I know he's not with the roster, but you did make a small addition by signing Max Ko with, with Chicago. Do you know, do you have any insight on him at all or anything or is it just a, a depth that thing that I think that's just, you know, with, with the situation we have down there, you know, just adding another guy that's played and, you know, can help us if we ever need it. And I think that's good. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, because you know, there's no, like you always say, we love our group. This is it, but everyone always, you know, back of their mind is probably, well, something could happen and now nothing can happen after Friday. So and, you know, I think it's more just peace of mind for everyone. I mean, ok, it's whatever we got we got and let's, let's make it happen. You have the really, uh, mature, uh, core group here. Is that why you're five on five game? Is that his, his best now? Um, no, I mean, I think, well, it's, we're, we're a mature group because we understand how to play. I think that that's for sure. Um, or what way we need to play. We don't always do it like the other night we came, came off a little bit. Um, I think there's certainly an understanding of, ok, this is what we're gonna have to do if we want to be successful. And I think everybody understands that when we've came here in December, the situation was critical, uh, because of the goaltending situation here, uh, you rely on Kosenko and he, he, uh, you know, you make, make you good. How big is it to have knowing that you had a good young goalie, uh, because we don't know what could happen with Freddie. Yeah. Yeah, exactly. So, I mean, just the whole goaltender thing has always been a little, this whole year, a little sketchy because we've had so many injuries. Um, but the one constant there, you know, you know, cus had his little, you know, segment there, maybe he wasn't as his best, but I think overall he's been pretty solid and, and to your point. We have a good young guy there. He's just gonna get better. I mean, um, now that's reassuring. Now, have you, have you identi, have you noticed when you guys had to call up guys as a coach? Have you noticed that the situation with them, understanding the system and what was asked of them was slightly different because of the situation in the American League where maybe the message doesn't. Well, for, for this year, it's a little strange because we don't have an American League team. So we got our guys playing in different areas, but we haven't really had a lot of calls. So we've been fortunate that way where, I mean, I, I can only think of one and it was like for one game and the guy that we called up had played here before, so he kind of knew what was going on. But, yeah, I mean, that, that was a big concern for this year. It really hasn't, you know, been an issue.