Notebook: Why the Canes Shuffled the Deck

Following a scheduled day off on Wednesday, the Carolina Hurricanes got back on the frozen sheet at Raleigh Center Ice on Thursday for a team practice, one that included a new face in Clark Bishop and a good-to-see-again face in Scott Darling.
After playing three road games in a span of four nights (1-2-0), a trip that took the team north and west before back into the States and further south, the Canes are utilizing a three-day gap in between games to recoup energy levels and tinker with the finer portions of their game.

"Of all the games that we played, that one in Tampa was a little off as far as the energy level. I've got to watch that, and that's why we need four lines to play," head coach Rod Brind'Amour said. "Every part of our game we want to get better at. We spent times on special teams, obviously, but there are little details to our game that aren't great, so we're trying to touch up on all of them."

One of the focuses in practice was the power play, which is just 2-for-25 (8 percent) to start the season and surrendered a shorthanded goal in the Canes' 4-2 loss to Tampa Bay on Tuesday.
"We want to get the zone time. Our entries were great last game, the best of the year. We got in every time, but then we started rushing things," Brind'Amour explained. "That's what kind of happens when you talk about how we've got to score on the power play, we start taking 5-on-5 shots. Those aren't effective. We've got to get back to knowing we have some good talent out there and make it work. Relax a little bit. Go through your set and what we're trying to do as opposed to just rushing shots."
Sending Necas and Fleury to Charlotte
Many of you may have been confused when you saw the news drop Wednesday afternoon: Martin Necas and Haydn Fleury assigned to Charlotte? Didn't Necas score his first NHL goal the night prior in Tampa Bay?
He did, but he also logged just 6:43 of ice time, a season low for the 19-year-old Czech rookie. And Fleury had played in just one of the team's first seven games. This roster move will allow both players, still developing as professionals, to log top minutes and play in varied situations in Charlotte.
"We didn't want them, especially with Haydn, sitting anymore," Brind'Amour said. "It didn't feel right taking guys out of the lineup just to put a guy in. That doesn't sit right with me. If you're playing well, you should be able to stay in. [Fleury] just needs to play."

In addition to seeing nearly 20 minutes of ice time a night in Charlotte, Necas can also acclimate himself more to the North American game; it's a learning experience for a young center.
"He's playing a tough position at center. It's a really hard position. He's an NHL-caliber talent, but we've got to get him better away from the puck. I want him to have confidence when he comes back to us that he's ready to do that. Get him a little more playing time. I don't envision him being down there very long," Brind'Amour said. "He's competitive and wants to learn. The talent is there."
The Checkers' Nick Niedzielski
offers additional context for this situation
after speaking with Charlotte head coach Mike Vellucci and Necas.
Bishop Takes the Ice
Traveling the opposite direction on I-40 Wednesday afternoon was forward Clark Bishop. He joined the Canes at practice on Thursday and centered the fourth line with Valentin Zykov and Brock McGinn on either side of him.
"Brock is a good, hard-working guy, and Z can put the puck in the net," Bishop said. "I think a bring a lot to the table with my speed and physicality."

Bishop is set to make his NHL debut on Saturday afternoon when the Canes host the Avalanche.
"We want to see what he's done all training camp and in all his games down in Charlotte. That energy, that competitiveness. That's what he brings," Brind'Amour said. "It'd be nice if he chipped in here or there, but that's not what we're expecting. We're expecting good, hard, honest effort."
Darling Back at Practice
After traveling with the team on the most recent road trip, goaltender Scott Darling rejoined the Canes at practice on Thursday, rotating reps with Petr Mrazek and Curtis McElhinney.
"He's going to tell me he's ready to go, for sure, but I think we've got to be careful," Brind'Amour said. "You don't want to push it too, too soon. They'll keep working with him. I know he's getting real close."
Prior to starting his first regular-season game, an AHL conditioning stint could still be under consideration, but Brind'Amour said a final decision has yet to be made.
And, as for carrying three goaltenders once Darling is healthy, Brind'Amour said this: "I don't think there'd be a long-term way to do that, necessarily."