The coach and general manager answer some questions about the season.
The Carolina Hurricanes held their end of season press conference for the media on Tuesday. Eric Tulsky and Rod Brind’Amour answered some questions.
All in all, they were both very pleased with the season, considering the team finished in the final four of the league.
(a synopsis)
While Brind’Amour might have felt (at one time) like they lost too many quality players to make the playoffs last offseason, Tulsky felt confident that they were bringing in pieces that would fit in and he felt comfortable with the team they built.
Seth Jarvis mentioned his shoulder situation during his exit interview and Tulsky was asked about it. Eric said that was a personal decision, not organizational and if Jarvis wants to keep rehabbing it, then so be it. He had a very good season regardless.
When asked for specifics as to how they wished to improve the team, Tulsky mentioned that they wanted to improve on defense, on forechecking, and scoring which are all major components of the team’s success.
“There is always room for improvement until we have the 20 best players in the league”.
They will spend to the cap again if the right pieces are available.
Tulsky said they have talked with Orlov’s and Burns’ agents. They will see how it goes.
There are players with minor issues but there are no scheduled surgeries for anyone that Tulsky is aware of.
Brind’Amour was asked about skipping the handshake line due to Maurice’s request. After some thought he said he will continue to go through that because it is important to him to show respect in that way to the players.
Brind’Amour is always excited about the offseason and looks forward to see what the front office can do. “There is tons of opportunity”.
Tulsky was asked about the prospect pool but would not elaborate about who might make the team next season. They would have to see how Nadeau does in training camp.
Regarding the new affiliation with the team in Greensboro, they will have the opportunity to have a few prospects play there. Ownership will hire the coaching staff.
They were asked if the team would like to get a 40 goal scorer, or an elite scorer. The answer was yes, of course. They will continue to try to improve the team, even if they already had elite scoring.
I asked Eric if he took into consideration a player’s size during their evaluation. He replied that of course they do, but they look for players who can pressure and make things hard for you. They are not necessarily looking at size, they are looking at how effective a player is at applying pressure. But size can be a component of that.
Brind’Amour said he loves Burns. Not only as a player, but off the ice as well. He has great work ethic and is a good person. The penalty kill was tops in the NHL, and he was a big part of that.
“I can’t say enough good things about him”.
“Where it goes, because it is a business and all that, we will see but I would love to have him back.”
Brind’Amour was asked to evaluate himself for the season. He replied that after sitting back and looking at it, this was one of the best seasons the team has had in 20 years.
“With everything that was going on, (the Rantanen thing) we went into the playoffs right in stride, I don’t think we could have played much better the first two rounds. “
“Of course I look at myself critically, but I think we did, our staff, I cannot say enough good things about them, I think they all did a great job.”
Tulsky said that the staff works very hard and they have done an incredible job. “Over the last five years, no team has earned as many points as we have”. He loves that “we are where we are”.
As a coach, Brind’Amour would still love to win a Cup, especially for the fans.
Tulsky was asked to grade himself and his reply was that there is always room for improvement.
After the press conference there was a little scrum of the media, sharing thoughts.
Someone mentioned that if they bring back Burns, they are not trying to make the team as good as it could possibly be. Another person was hoping they would try to bring in Dylan Larkin. The Canes certainly have the assets to do so, if possible.
We will start grading the players and coaching staff, one at a time, later this week.