The new Predators need time to adjust to Brunette's system to start the season.
As the Nashville Predators are still in search of their first win of the season, there is some adjustment to a new environment and system.
The Predators signed three big free agents and like the entire team last season, it takes a little time for head coach Andrew Brunette's system he wants the players to play to sink in and for them to become comfortable with it. Once it did last season, we saw Nashville go on an incredible 18-game point streak and push right into the playoffs.
While the majority of the team knows the system, the big free agent signings that are expected to have the largest impact this season, including Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault, and Brady Skjei, haven't yet got it down, but they're getting there.
Skjei explained that "I feel more and more comfortable every day. I think the first few pre-season games I felt a little lost, and once these games started I feel more and more comfortable." The Predators did very well as a team in the pre-season, but that didn't carry over to the regular season thus far.
It's going to take a bit longer than four games and a few pre-season games for the style of play in the defensive end to sink in. As Skjei noted, "It definitely takes a little bit of time, but definitely feeling more confident, more comfortable every day."
Carolina plays man-on-man as Skjei explains, "Here (Nashville) is more reads and staying at the net. So just a little adjustment on making those in the defensive zone. Offensively, Brunette love playing offense and loves making plays, so that's just kind of playing hockey down there." Both the system in Carolina and Nashville have proven they work, but Skjei was in the Hurricanes system for years under Rod Brind'Amour and it's very different.
Skjei also said, "There's a few defensive zone reads I'm trying to get used to and I think I've done a better job throughout camp and the first few games." It's not only the new defenseman getting used to the system. Though both forwards, Stamkos and Marchessault impact the team in the defensive zone as well.
"Our system is definitely set up for speed and playing quick and all that and then get in the offensive zone and making plays. I think it's been a pretty smooth transition, just try to keep learning and keep getting better." Skjei has shown his offensive abilities, especially in recent years. To have the freedom offensively like the way Brunette played in his day is good, will keep the players motivated, and the Predators will turn things around very soon.
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