Canes Continue to Build Foundation in Camp

Just 16 hours after hitting the ice for the first day of training camp, the Carolina Hurricanes were back at PNC Arena for two group skates on Friday morning.
Here are five takeaways from the second day of Hurricanes training camp.

Picking Up Where They Left Off
The second day was
much like the first
. Team Grit was on the ice first, followed by Team Grind. Each group spent a hard-working hour moving through various drills, interspersed by shootouts and brief instruction. A skate wrapped up each session.
"I liked it. I kind of thought we'd have a little bit of a letdown, but we tried to make sure we emphasized that right away that we don't want to do that," head coach Rod Brind'Amour said. "I thought the guys were good and receptive to everything we were trying to do."
READ: BRIND'AMOUR TAKES REINS AS CANES OPEN TRAINING CAMP
"It's been good so far. Good pace to both the skates. A little adjustment to the schedule, but it's been good," defenseman Trevor van Riemsdyk said. "Roddy has brought a ton of energy, and I think everybody just follows suit. All things considered, it's been a pretty good first couple of days."

The new head coach now has two practices under his belt, and the response from the room has been positive.
"Whenever he's speaking, he commands the room. Everyone is quiet, all eyes on him. He commands that type of respect. He's earned that over and over and over again," van Riemsdyk said. "He does a great job. He brings that energy and makes it fun to come to the rink. The skates have been great so far."
Laying the Foundation
The early days of training camp are about building a foundation for the season to come. Brind'Amour and his coaching staff are layering various concepts they want to integrate in team's style of play.
There are questions. There are teaching moments. That's all a part of the process.
"They pick it up pretty quick. What I like is everyone is really receptive to what's going on. We don't expect everybody to get this stuff. Once we get into games, we're going to have way more mistakes. That's when you can really start teaching stuff because you'll have video," Brind'Amour said. "Right now, we're really just trying to throw our stuff out there. … We're not too strict on anything. We'll build as we go."

Second-overall pick Andrei Svechnikov is one of those that isn't afraid to seek clarification. At one point during the skate today, alternate captain Justin Faulk helped to illustrate what Svechnikov's responsibility was on the ice.
"It's hard to really say what we've seen. We're not really putting them in situations … you're certainly not making the team based on what we've done so far, but I do like their attitude about everything," Brind'Amour said of Svechnikov and Martin Necas. "Andrei after practice today just coming to me, [saying] I don't get this, or whatever. I appreciate that he's willing to admit that. A lot of guys will sit there and nod their head like they know what's going on, but they don't have a clue."
It's too early in training camp to categorize individual performances or identifying standouts; you can only glean so much from the first two days of practice drills. What is noticeable is the structure, pace and energy of the skates. That's going be a common thread this season.
"That's the style we want to play, that aggressive style. You've got to be in good shape for that. [Brind'Amour] has brought that," van Riemsdyk said. "He wants to make them efficient practices where you're using your time smartly and wisely. When you're out there, you're hustling and moving. We've done a good job of taking those instructions and putting them on the ice."

Line Combinations?
It's too early to read into potential line combinations, right?
"Yeah, 100 percent," Brind'Amour said.
There might be a couple forwards here or a defensive pair there that intrigues Brind'Amour and his coaching staff, but what's been utilized on the ice thus far in camp isn't exactly an indication of what we'll see on the Opening Night roster come Oct. 4. Plus, now there are even more question marks with the absence of Victor Rask.
"With the way the preseason games are set up, you have to play so many players, so it's tough to put lines together that you really want," Brind'Amour said. "Right now, it's just about getting the systems in and understanding that. The line combos, as we move on, will start to solidify a little bit."

More Thoughts on Captain Williams
The Canes named Justin Williams team captain for the 2018-19 season, and I
wrote about it at length
on Thursday evening.
READ: WILLIAMS EARNS CAPTAINCY
Today, we got some additional reaction. Firstly, be sure to listen to the
latest episode of CanesCast
, in which Hurricanes play-by-play man John Forslund gives his insights on the Williams' captaincy, plus more, such as the evolution of Brind'Amour from player to captain to head coach. It's always great to chat with Forslund, and this interview (and entire podcast, really) is
well worth your time
.
LISTEN: CANESCAST, EP. 57 FEAT. JOHN FORSLUND
And, here's van Riemsdyk on what Williams brings to the room as captain: "He's just a great guy. Last year, even though he didn't have a C on his jersey, he was a great leader. I think it's just something that comes naturally to him. I don't think he's going to necessarily change too much about himself. He's just a good guy. When he speaks, everyone listens. He's got an unbelievable resume of knowing how to get things done in big moments. That's something we all, I'm sure, admire, as well as his success and work ethic. We have a great locker room and great leaders from top to bottom. I think we've got an exciting group."
Off on Saturday
With Hurricane Florence making landfall and moving westward inland on Friday - the PNC Arena lights flickered a few times in the first group's skate - the Canes made the decision to
cancel Saturday's training camp sessions
in order to ensure the safety of players, coaches and staff.
"We told everyone that the number one priority is to be safe," Brind'Amour said on Thursday. "We want to make sure everyone is safe. That's first and foremost."
And, after two hard-working days on the ice, a day off isn't necessarily a bad thing.
"Actually, I'm looking forward to it. I've got a little more respect for the guys who have done this because of the mental thing," the first-year head coach said with a smile Friday. "I think it's good. We went hard for a couple of days, and now the guys get a little break. Then we'll crank up again."