'We're Right Back At It': Rod Brind'Amour On Return To Practice, 4 Nations Face-Off

The Canes coach spoke to the media on the ongoing tournament and practice expectations.

The Carolina Hurricanes returned to practice on Tuesday for the first time since the league-wide break.

The Canes were off for nine days and are taking the time to get back up to speed before Saturday's game in Toronto against the Maple Leafs.

Following practice, the media spoke with Hurricanes coach Rod Brind'Amour. Here's what he had to say:

On if he managed to take some time off: It was good. Get a mental refresher and a little time with the young one. Now we're right back at it.

On the 4 Nations Face-Off and if he's been surprised by how intense it's been: It's been good and no. I remember back when the World Cup was going on, it was the same thing. It was just like that. It was great hockey, fun to watch and it's going to be an exciting final game, I think.

On who he thinks is going to win: No idea. Someone from North America is going to win it. It's going to be a good game and you play that game 100 times, it's probably 50/50. So we'll see.

On if he's been nervous at all about his own guys in the tournament: Maybe nervous when you watch your players play half the game. That gets you a little antsy. But excited for them at the same time.

On if he'd have liked to have coached in the tournament: Yeah. It's an All-Star Game that counts. That's what it is. Would be very exciting to be around that talent and it always is at these kinds of events, but in these ones when you're playing for real, it's special.

On how he's approaching the rest of the season: I think we left it and obviously try to do some work over the break, but now you want to pick it up now as if nothing has changed. You certainly don't want to pause in the way you're playing and thinking you need time to get going or like training camp. No. We gotta get right back on it and that's the approach we're trying to take.

On the goal of these first few practices back: Just getting everybody up to speed on their conditioning again and remembering how we have to do things. That's basically what we're doing here these days.

On Seth Jarvis getting scratched for Team Canada: It's disappointing for him. I actually thought he played really well, but that's what happens when you come to these things. There's 22 or however many guys and everyone can play. He's the young one on the totem pole too and we get how that works.

On Jaccob Slavin's performance for Team USA: He's been lights out. I think it's great for him. Nothing we don't know already. Clearly, the way they're using him is what you have to do against those top guys.

On if there's any updates on William Carrier: No. He's a long ways away.

On if he thinks he's done for the year: I hope not. Hopefully we can use him at some point, but he's definitely out long-term.

On what he'd like to see more of from the group in this final stretch: [Consistency] is always something. Every night you want to give yourself a chance to win and I think that's been our calling card over the years and I'd like to maintain that. Obviously there's areas of our game we have to get better at. I don't know if there's one part that I'm like, right on, so that kind of gives you good and bad vibes. Good that they have room to grow, but we have to find it. That's what the challenge is going to be.

On who he thinks did well to hit up the gym during the break: I don't know. I mean, I know there's certain guys you don't ever have to worry about, but I'm sure there's a couple of guys a little red faced today, but that's what the four days are for here.

On if there was anything to the team wearing red, white and now blue practice jerseys: No actually, just the way. With only three lines going, it's the only colors we have available. But interesting catch there.

On if he thinks Tyson Jost will be ready to play on Saturday: Yeah, I'm hoping so. I think that'll be more of a game-time decision, but he's definitely right there. If not that game, then certainly right around the corner.

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