Rod Brind’Amour admitted he thought the Carolina Hurricanes might miss the playoffs entirely after losing key players in free agency.
The Hurricanes head coach made the comments after Wednesday’s Game 5 elimination in the Eastern Conference Final, according to WSJS’ Josh Graham.
“When I walked in this summer, with the pieces that left this organization, I was like, ‘I don’t think we’re making playoffs,'” Brind’Amour said. “I was that worried about it because it was such a mass exodus of good players to free agency.”
The Hurricanes lost forwards Jake Guentzel, Teuvo Teravainen, and Stefan Noesen in free agency. Defenseman Brady Skjei also departed for a new team.
Those four players signed elsewhere for a combined cap hit over $24 million. Evgeny Kuznetsov terminated his contract to return to the KHL.
“Then, we were able to find good players to fill in, and then I was like, ‘I don’t know if they’re that good,’ but they hung in there,” Brind’Amour continued. “I got nothing but pride with this group.”
Despite the roster turnover, Carolina reached the Eastern Conference Final for the second time in three years.
The Hurricanes lost 5-3 to the defending champion Florida Panthers in Game 5 after blowing a 2-0 series lead.
Panthers Set The Standard
Brind’Amour sees similarities between his team’s style and Florida’s approach. He believes the Panthers execute at a higher level.
“How do you think they play?” Brind’Amour said when asked if Carolina needs to change their style, per TSN. “They’re the standard now.”
“I see out, in, forecheck hard, wait for your chance, try to capitalize. I mean, it’s hard hockey.”
The coach noted that Florida has refined the style both teams employ.
“I feel like that’s been our game for a long time. They’ve kinda picked it up the last couple of years and made it that much better,” he said. “So, that’s what we gotta get.”
Brind’Amour acknowledged his team’s disappointment with their series performance against the Panthers.
“It’s the craziest thing that we’re this far, and all we’re hearing is negativity,” he said. “We didn’t love how this kinda went this series, but (the Florida Panthers are) the standard right there.”
