NEWARK, NJ — Andrew Brown said he sees similarities between the New Jersey Devils and his former team, the Florida Panthers.
He was hired by the Devils on July 15, a little over three weeks after he was let go by the Florida Panthers, whom he led to a 51-18-6 record after taking over for Joel Quenneville on Oct. 29 and finishing second in voting for the Jack Adams Award as NHL coach of the year.
“I think there are similarities for sure with the speed that we play,” Brunette said. “I think Florida played really fast and I think we have those capabilities. We’re trying to grow into being that kind of team. When we’re at our best we’re on top of it, there’s no room and space for the other team. It can be frustrating [for the opposition] and we’re able to counterattack, and I think Florida has those qualities.”
Florida finished last season 58-18-6 (122 points), the best record in its history, and won the Presidents’ Trophy for the best record in the regular season. However, the Panthers were swept by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and the Panthers hired Paul Maurice as coach on June 22.
“When I first had conversations with Andrew, we had a lot in common,” New Jersey coach Lindy Ruff said. “I talked a lot about the Dallas Stars team I coached (2013-17) and how we operated. We looked at how Florida played and how we played and the offense we created and really felt there were a lot of common pieces.”
With the Devils (16-3-0), Brunette has been working closely with Ruff and runs the power play. New Jersey, which tied a franchise record with its 13th straight win Monday, is 15th on the power play this season (21.0 percent) after being 28th last season (15.6 percent).
Brunette discussed his transition to the Devils, his thoughts on the captain Nico Hischierthe power play, and what his future holds in a wide-ranging Q&A with NHL.com.
You spent four seasons on the Panthers coaching staff, and prior to that seven seasons with the Minnesota Wild, including two (2014-16) as an assistant. You played 16 NHL seasons (1995-2012) as a forward with the Washington Capitals, Nashville Predators, Atlanta Thrashers, Wild, Colorado Avalanche and Chicago Blackhawks. How has this transition to New Jersey been for you?
“I think any time you change it always takes a little bit of time. But I’ve been fortunate to be around some pretty good people and some familiarity with some of the guys in the organization. It has kind of made it pretty easy to come in. But any time you change … I think moving team to team so many different times over my playing career, it’s always a little bit of an adjustment period.”
What have you liked most about working with Lindy Ruff?
“I think coming in to work with Lindy has been a lot of fun. We see the game pretty similarly. He has had a tremendous amount of success over his career and I kind of came in with open eyes, trying to learn from him and how he does his business, how he treats people and how he approaches day to day. We really haven’t had too many downs, but just the way that he handles the different pressures and different people. I’ve really enjoyed being around him , learning, and I think we’re collaborating a little bit together. I think our whole staff is learning about each other and how we do business, and it’s been good so far.”
Is there anything about Ruff you’ve learned that you didn’t know at the outset?
“Just the way he sort of delivers his message day to day I think is pretty empowering … you can feel his passion. He mixes it in with how much he kind of loves his players. I think he manages both sides of that, where he’s demanding but also rewarding. I’m just kind of picking up those little things with how he delivers his message.”
What do you appreciate most about Devils captain Nico Hischier, and does he remind you of any other captain you’ve worked with in the past?
“It’s hard to really have a gauge with things a quarter-way into the season, but I think he reminds me a little bit like [Panthers captain] Alexander Barkov with how they each lead by example. They do all the little things right. They’re very unselfish players, teammates, and I think the players feed off of him. I think he brings a work ethic every day in practice, he’s highly competitive in the games, and when you see your captain doing all the right things, it’s hard as a player not to follow him and do the same thing.”
What is your philosophy with the man advantage?
“I think trust has to happen, that’s a big thing. A communication where we’re constantly trying to have players communicating, understanding the concepts. I think for me as a coach, you try to give them options and you trust their instincts, trust their choices. That’s all you can really do. I think if you trust your players and provide the proper information, allow them some room for creativity, it’s important. Every power play in the League has a different combination and individuals, so we’ re just trying to play to our strengths and we’re quick. It’s based on personnel but also allowing the creativity and ability to roam a little bit. I don’t know if we can be a stagnant power play. We have to find a way to get the most out of these guys and I think the movement of a Jesper Bratt, Jack Hughes, Dougie Hamilton, who slides pretty well, we’re just trying to create a little bit of space out there for them to make the best choices. We preach quick puck play and I think we can still be much quicker moving the puck, but we’re getting there.”
How surprised are you with the start and what does the team need to continue to do to be successful?
“When we play the way that we’re capable of playing, which is a fast, in-your-face game, there’s not a lot of room out there. I think that’s the strength of our team. But it comes down to consistency I think when you haven’t had success for a while, you maybe don’t always understand it. As a coaching staff we have to make sure we stay on top of that because it’s easy to slide. We’re demanding a certain tight style of play and it’s not always easy, but I think it plays into our strengths. We just have to keep that consistency night in, night out.”
What are your early impressions of center Jack Hughes?
“He’s been great. I think you never know with a young, No. 1 pick overall. But he’s been a pleasure to be around. He’s constantly learning, wanting to get better. I think he has a drive to be the best, which is something you’re never sure of when you come in. But he’s very driven. He wants to be not just a really good player but a great player. Working with him day in and day out… it’s still early, and we ‘re still probably trying to figure each other out, but he’s been a lot of fun to be around. I’m looking forward to watching him grow, take a couple extra steps here to be the best.”
What does the future hold for Andrew Brunette?
“I’m just taking it day by day. I’m trying to learn. I’m lucky to have been around some great coaches and be with Lindy here in Jersey. He’s won 800-plus games which is an unbelievable accomplishment. I think I’m just eyes wide open. I need to get better as a coach and learning from some of the best has allowed me to really take what they do and apply it. I’m just a sponge right now, trying to take it all in.”
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