Canes Look to Others, Like Staal, With Brind'Amour Out

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Canes Look to Others, Like Staal, With Brind'Amour Out

Jennings: Brind'Amour Injured, Out for Season

The Canes win, but lose a critical player in Rod Brind'Amour, who suffers a knee injury.

By Jason Jennings

Feb 15, 2008

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The Carolina Hurricanes practice on Friday resembles few before it. Injured captain Rod Brind'Amour is nowhere to be seen.

"It's definitely a different feeling in here today," said Trevor Letowski. "He's obviously the leader of this team."

So what’s next for the Hurricanes” Not only was Brind'Amour the leader in the locker room, he contributed on the ice in all facets of the game. Brind'Amour had surgery on Friday.

"Roddy filled so many roles," said coach Peter Laviolette. "Five-on-3, 4-on-3 both for and against, end of the game, faceoffs...with Rod gone, there's a void for a lot of different roles on the team. He was the man. He was the captain."

The team believes many players will have to fill the roles Brind'Amour leaves behind, but perhaps no one more than Eric Staal. By far the team's No. 1 center now, Staal has struggled with inconsistent scoring. Last game versus Pittsburgh, he notched his first point since winning the NHL All-Star game MVP.

"When you lose a centerman like Rod, other guys need to step up and I'm one of them," said Staal. "I'm ready for the challenge."

"It's a chance for (Staal) to spread his wings in the locker room and carry this team," added Laviolette.

Against Pittsburgh, the Canes showed they can defeat a top opponent without Brind'Amour. But bringing an inspired effort while shorthanded one night and doing that consistently during a playoff race are two different tasks.