MORRISVILLE, N.C. (WNCN) — Carolina Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind’Amour got right to the point following the Canes Wednesday practice at Invisalign Arena.
“Jalen will play, we just gave him a little extra time,” said Brind’Amour.
Hurricanes defenseman Jalen Chatfield was at today’s practice but did not participate. Instead, he watched from the stands. Chatfield has been ailing the past two games, a lower body injury slowing him down.
Social media was ablaze when word got out that prized Russian rookie Alexander Nikishin was skating in Chatfield’s place alongside Dmitry Orlov at practice. The pairing makes sense with both hailing from Russia and Nikishin’s English still a work in progress.
“Hopefully Chatty [Jalen Chatfield] will be good, but I’ll be super excited for him [Nikishin]. He’s from the same country and I’ve known him for a couple years now,” said Andrei Svechnikov. “I don’t know what I’d say yet, but I always try to say you know where you came from and you’re a really good player if you’re here.”
If nothing else, Chatfield’s injury has brought into focus the Canes plans for the blueline if a player is not able to go. Scott Morrow played 14 games on defense for Carolina but it appears Nikishin, though, is next in line.
“All the confidence in the world — he’s a world-class player, big body, he skates well, shoots well and obviously knows how to play hockey, so yeah, great player,” said Hurricanes alternate captain Sebastian Aho.
Brind’Amour has always valued experience over potential especially during the postseason, so if Chatfield is anywhere near full-go, look for him to get the nod in Game 5 against the Washington Capitals.