Hurricanes' Rod Brind’Amour on Brandon Bussi & Eric Robinson

Following the Carolina Hurricanes’ morning practice, head coach Rod Brind’Amour addressed the media on various subjects. He shared insights on Brandon Bussi and Eric Robinson when asked by The Hockey Writers.

Brandon Bussi Entering Second Season

Bussi joined the Hurricanes last season during training camp after being claimed off waivers from the Florida Panthers. He posted a strong record of 31-6-2, with a 2.47 goals-against average, an .895 save percentage, and two shutouts. He begins the first year of a three-year, $5.7 million contract extension signed in February.

Regarding expectations for Bussi in his second year, Brind’Amour noted the ongoing development common to all players, especially younger ones new to the league. He stated, "You’re constantly looking for them... to get better because there’s a lot to learn still. You’re looking for all of the little things for him as a goalie. Whatever the things he needs to get better at, Paulie [Schonfelder] is working with them. Just keep sharpening, and hopefully it shows in the way he plays."

Schonfelder, the team’s goaltending coach, managed Bussi, Pyotr Kochetkov, and Frederik Andersen last season. This season, his focus will primarily be on Bussi and Kochetkov, who appear to be the team's goaltending tandem.

Bussi plans to approach each day ready when called upon, aiming to demonstrate that his performance last season was not a fluke and to be in contention for individual awards.

Eric Robinson Skates on Top Line Early

Robinson underwent lower-body surgery in late June, with an expected recovery of six to eight weeks, potentially making him ready for training camp. On Thursday morning (September 17), Robinson was on the ice. Seth Jarvis also had surgery with a longer recovery timeline of four to six months.

With Jarvis sidelined, a question mark entering camp was who would fill his spot. In the first two days of camp, Robinson has skated alongside Sebastian Aho and Andrei Svechnikov. While it's early in camp, it provides an opportunity for players who can adapt to different lineup positions to skate on the top line.

When asked about giving Robinson a chance and the potential impact of his skills on the top line, Brind’Amour advised against overanalyzing the lines. He explained, "We know Jarvis can’t take the brunt of the practice. We’re just filling spots. But if Robbie happens to be there, we know what he can do; he can move up and down the lineup. He’s got great speed; he scored a lot of big goals. If that’s what ends up happening, maybe. I’m sure we’ll try a lot of different things if that’s how it shakes out. He has earned the right to kind of get that first look."

He added, “We’re not even at that point to even be considering kind of game one, of what we’re going to look like.”

Regardless of how the lines are set, it is positive to see Robinson healthy and prepared. There is ample time to determine how Jarvis's absence will be managed. As the Hurricanes continue their training camp and prepare for the upcoming season, several storylines are developing.