The Carolina Hurricanes tend to fly under the radar and that’s probably why their players are rarely in the conversation for major NHL awards.
The rebuilding ‘Canes are having a better year than many anticipated, but they haven’t been carried by one player. On the contrary, they’ve received contributions from up and down their lineup. When it comes to shutting down the opposition’s best players Carolina’s coaching staff knows they must count on Jordan Staal.
Staal’s numbers are far from bad (17 goals, 40 points, plus-5), but they don’t jump off the page. When it comes to measuring his value, assistant coach Rod Brind’Amour sees things differently.
When asked if Staal should be in the conversation for the Selke Trophy, here’s what Brind’Amour had to say:
“Oh, easily, no question,” Brind’Amour said, per the News & Observer. “He plays against the best every night. Check the score sheet of the other team’s best players and they’re hardly ever on it or not a big factor.
“Why is that? Everywhere else they’re playing they’re putting up points but when they play us they don’t. I’d put him up with any of the guys you’d mention for that award. If we got more attention he’d get more attention, but he kind of flies under the radar.”
Brind’Amour knows a thing or two about playing two-way hockey. He won the Selke Trophy during the ’05-06 season and again in ’06-07.