RALEIGH, N.C. – And so they meet again, more than 30 years later, only this time on opposite sides of the puck.
Rod Brind’Amour was just getting his skates wet in the NHL when he arrived in Philadelphia in the 1991-1992 season.
When he got there, one of the veterans of those great mid-‘80s Flyers teams, Rick Tocchet, was practically at the front door waiting to shake Brind’Amour’s hand.
Soon after, Tocchet was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins. Brind’Amour stayed eight seasons, was part of the 1997 Stanley Cup finalist team and most certainly left his mark.
Now, as veteran coaches, they square off in a much-anticipated showdown between Tocchet’s Flyers and Brind’Amour’s Carolina Hurricanes.
Both spoke about what’s at stake in this series at Saturday morning’s press briefings at Lenovo Center.
Without question, each coach wants the best of the other.
Brind’Amour has clear memories of those games together back when he first joined the Flyers organization.
“He’s a great leader,” Brind’Amour said of Tocchet. “He really took care of all the young guys. I was one of those at the time. I remember that very well. Vividly.
“Obviously a good player. More that aspect of it, he got what it took to be a team and all. And that’s why he’s a good coach.”
Tocchet gives the impression he will get a kick out of playing a game of chess on ice with Brind’Amour over the next week or so.
“We’re going to have to be physical, play through people,” Tocchet said. “Not sure we’re looking for huge hits. When you play Carolina man on man, it’s winning your battles. And you’re not going to win them all.”
Brind’Amour said his time with the Flyers set the tone for the rest of his career.
“Loved it,” he said. “It was a great opportunity to come into when I did. We were kind of a young team at the time and loved every minute of it. Fans, environment, kind of mentorship that they have there.
“They had a bunch of older guys that looked after the younger guys. Still have good relationships there years later. It was a very positive experience.”
The Carolina coach sounds pleased his former team in Philadelphia is back in contention again.
“I’m actually happy for that fan base,” Brind’Amour said. “That’s a great sports town. They deserve a good team and they’ve got one.”
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Cates talks strategy
Noah Cates won the faceoff that resulted in Cam York’s sudden-death overtime goal in Game 6 to win the Pittsburgh series and now he sounds ready to help carry over that momentum against Carolina.
“It’s sticking to what you know and what you would like to do,” Cates said. “It was obviously my first playoff series, so to learn, grow and get better and help the team with faceoffs, having a decent percentage can build confidence.”
Cates gave credit to Sean Couturier for helping him become a better guy on faceoffs.
“Throughout that series he was talking to me about different guys,” Cates said. “The video guys send you a bunch of different clips. Kind of seeing it from different angles. They did a great job in helping me.”
At the end of the day, the Flyers know it will come down to which team plays the better fundamental game.
“I think we’re sticking to our keys and our foundation,” Cates said. “What got us here. They’re a good team, a unique team. You have to respect your opponent. But do what’s best for you. There are things we’re looking to do, some different looks to kind of slow them down.”
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