The Carolina Hurricanes have faced a challenging start to their season, particularly on defense. The team has already used ten different defensemen, matching the league high with the Tampa Bay Lightning and Pittsburgh Penguins. Of these ten, four are in their first NHL season and two are new to the Hurricanes.
Assistant Coach Tim Gleason discussed the situation, noting that injuries have forced changes in the lineup. Jaccob Slavin, a key player for the team, has been absent since early in the season. Shayne Gostisbehere has performed well when healthy, scoring 18 points in 16 games.
Gleason said, “I think we’ve held our own. We take it on a game-by-game basis. We don’t look too far in front of or behind us. I think there are always areas of improvement, whether it’s special teams, five-on-five, or individual play; we’re always trying to get better. I think to this point, we’ve done pretty well from guys filling spots and guys that really haven’t been here (before). So, in that area, I think we’re doing okay. It’s given opportunities to other players to make a name for themselves and then grow. There are areas we want to get better at, and we’ll continue to do so.”
He emphasized that getting injured players back is important but also credited current players for adapting: “Yeah, that’s the key. You don’t want to find excuses. That’s what I mean when I say I think we’ve done pretty well in filling that void a little bit. We know help, at some point, will be on the way, in terms of getting guys back. But, again, day by day, game by game because you never know what tomorrow’s going to bring. Our lineup continues to change but we’re adapting and that’s what we’re supposed to do. That’s our job and guys are doing a fairly good job.”
On penalty killing efforts so far this season Gleason said he was not satisfied: “I’m not too happy with it, to be honest with you. Again it’s game by game and we did a good job (on Wednesday Nov 26). You’ve got to start with one game anyway… In the last 10 or so games we’ve given up a goal almost every game… We have some guys three or four guys that are on the PK that haven’t necessarily been on the PK before… So again it’s game by game and (Wednesday Nov 26) we did a great job now we have to take it from there.”
Regarding rookie Alexander Nikishin’s performance this year Gleason noted: “He’s a rookie and a first-year player in this league… It’s a continued learning curve… How hard the defense has to work what we ask of them and all of the details back there it takes time… He has a rocket (of a shot)… He’s solid with it… We’ll keep at it… There is something there…”
He also commented on Joel Nystrom’s contributions: “He was one of those guys who I had heard a little bit about last year and we didn’t really think he’d be here necessarily… Now he’s one of those guys that you’d have a hard time taking out… He’s doing what we ask him to do… He’s smart with his positioning… For him to get even better it’s about continuing to get stronger…”
On Charles Alexis Legault’s brief time playing this season Gleason added: “He did what he does well… He’s long… He has good partner work through the neutral zone… There’s no wow factor in his game and that’s fine because what he does he does well…”
As Thanksgiving passes—a period often seen as an indicator for NHL teams’ prospects—the Hurricanes continue adjusting their defensive lines while waiting for key players’ return.
