While the preseason game may not count in the standings, to Head Coach Jeff Daniels, they are important in judging where the team and the players stand.
“We want to start the preseason on a good note, but at the same time, we’ve got to evaluate guys and see where they fit in the puzzle,” said Daniels.
The squad taking the ice for the preseason game could have many new faces, whether they be rookies or ECHL players, and while he has been able to get a read on them throughout training camp, Daniels is looking forward to seeing what they have to offer in a game setting.
For those invites and fringe ECHL players, Daniels wants to give them a fair shot to see what they can bring to the team this weekend, so he will wait until after to make decisions on cuts.
“I’m not planning on doing anything till Monday,” said Daniels. “Like I said, a lot of these guys need two games to get in game shape and for us to get a true reading on where they’re at and if they’re going to fit right away or if they’ll need some time in Florida.”
It’s not only the newer players that Daniels is going to be expecting something from either.
“Seeing who wants to be here, who wants to make the team, who wants to get better,” said Daniels. “The guys who we know are going to be here, what’s your role going to be?”
For tomorrow’s tilt against Norfolk, Daniels’ plan is to evaluate what he is working with, and the game should give him valuable insight into what his team is shaping up to be with the start of the regular season right around the corner.
“There’s some unknowns right now, a lot of new faces, but to see how they react on the ice and how they react on the bench and just learn more about the players,” said Daniels.
Returning Blueliners
Just prior to the Checkers players taking the ice this morning, the Hurricanes announced the assignment of nine players down to the AHL squad. Six of the players- forwards Phil Di Giuseppe, Brock McGinn, Carter Sandlak, Brody Sutter and Brendan Woods and defenseman Danny Biega- will report directly to Charlotte, while the other three- defensemen Michal Jordan and Rasmus Rissanen and goalie Drew MacIntyre- must first clear waivers.For Jordan and Rissanen, who rank first and third respectively in all-time games played by a defenseman for the Checkers, coming back to the AHL may not be what they had hoped for going into Hurricanes camp, but Daniels knows that they will give it their all no matter what level they’re at.
“What I like about those two is they’re pros,” said Daniels. “I know they’re going to be disappointed, but I don’t think it will affect the way they approach the game, approach the practice.”
Daniels also seems confident that their shot will come, whether it be this season or sometime down the line.
“Myself and Geordie are both big believers in those two guys,” said Daniels. “Some guys get their chance right away, some guys it takes a few years. For me, they’re both knocking on the door, and I think if something happens up top, an injury or whatnot, I think Carolina has a lot of confidence in one of those two guys, or even Biega, to fill a role.”
Making The Cut
Two players that did make the cut and will be spending some more time with the Hurricanes are Victor Rask and Patrick Brown.
For Daniels, Rask’s success is not entirely surprising, based on what he had seen last season.
“I think if you look at his last two months, he was one of our better players,” said Daniels. “He had some ups and downs throughout the year, and that’s kind of expected as a first year player. But his last two months he was producing a little more, he always was one of the smartest players up front, both with and without the puck, so I think that gave him a little confidence, the way his season ended personally.”
Rask built from there during the offseason, working to improve his game, and it has caused many to take notice.
“He made the commitment over the summer to work on some stuff,” said Daniels. “He took advantage of going to Traverse City and getting a step ahead of guys, so when he went to the big camp he was game ready. So it’s a credit to him.”
The more surprising of the two names is Brown, an undrafted free agent who was signed by Carolina following his senior season at Boston College.
Brown is someone that was not on many people’s radar coming into the offseason, but his play has forced them to take notice. Daniels coached him at the Traverse City prospect tournament and got to take a firsthand look at what Brown has to offer.
“The way he works, he’s leading on every drill, he’s a leader type of guy,” said Daniels. “The motor’s always going, he doesn’t take a shift off and you know what you’re going to get shift in, shift out. He creates a lot of his chances just by outworking his opponent.”
With a new regime in the Carolina front office, Daniels said there is an opportunity for players to catch some of the fresh eyes, and it looks as if Brown has done just that. Now with the opening at center due to the injury to Jordan Staal, Brown looks to be a dark horse candidate to fill that spot.
“The message right from day one was it’s a clean slate, show us what you can do,” said Daniels. “Brownie is taking advantage of that.”
Changing Systems
With the coaching change at the NHL level, Daniels said there will be changes to his system to match Peters’.“I had a chance to sit down with Bill over the summertime and sit in on some meetings and training camp to get a better feel and see how he wants things run,” said Daniels. “We’re going to do a lot of the system stuff and the same practice drills that he does up top.”
Daniels noted that his system will have some small tweaks, but points out that having similar systems is beneficial for the players and should give them the best chance to succeed should they be brought up.
“I think it’s good to keep things fresh for us down here, but also when guys get called up, they know the system and they know the practice drills so they don’t have to be at the back of the line,” said Daniels. “They can be up front and trying to lead the way.”
Without getting into the specifics, Daniels explained some of the changes that would be implemented, but noted that it is still an ongoing process, one that he will focus on for tomorrow’s preseason clash with Norfolk.
“The biggest system will be in the neutral zone,” said Daniels. “I think the forecheck will be the same. There will be some different variations on the neutral zone that we’ll look at for the next couple weeks, but for tomorrow and Saturday we’ll focus on step one.”
