Nashville Predators head coach, Andrew Brunette, admitted that maintaining player motivation is challenging late in the season, especially when playoff hopes are dwindling. Despite these circumstances, he stressed his expectation for a higher level of effort from the team.
Following Thursday night’s 4-1 loss to the Anaheim Ducks, which marked the Predators’ fourth straight defeat, Brunette openly discussed the team’s difficulties and specifically challenged the team’s experienced players to step up.
Brunette noted the mental strain on veteran players who are not accustomed to being in their current situation. He emphasized the importance of these leaders setting a positive example for younger players, particularly in demonstrating professionalism and resilience during tough times, to prevent such situations in the future.
Veteran center Ryan O’Reilly echoed the coach’s sentiment, acknowledging the team’s subpar performance. O’Reilly expressed personal frustration with his own play and recognized the need for him and other leaders to elevate their game to inspire the team to compete more effectively. He described the current team performance as “pathetic,” underscoring the urgency for improvement.
Tristan Blackwood