On Brassard’s performance this season (note he was dropped to the fourth line at today’s practice): “So far I think he has shown a little bit of inconsistency in his overall play. In some moments you see signs of top-end skill, and in some other moments you see signs of top-end skill not executed the way you’re supposed to, like on the first goal last night. He clearly has the puck, no pressure, can skate it and make an easy ** pass. For whatever reason, he doesn’t execute the play that needs to be executed at that time with the puck so we need to get that part of his game, not just in our end, but in both ends, we need to get that in order and if we do that, he’s a good skilled player that has, in my estimation a lot to bring to the table.”
On whether Brassard puts a lot of pressure on himself: “I would say yes, he obviously came here last year and had the best moments of his young career so far. Sometimes, you expect to be able to step right back in and have those same moments. A career is a process, there’s some situations where games or seasons or segments that permit you to improve and become better and I’m hoping that this is one of those segments or time frame that is going to make Brass into a more complete hockey player.”
