The addition of Jussi Jokinen over the weekend gave the Canes four centers to play with against Phoenix, so Rod Brind’Amour’s return to practice on Tuesday necessitated some shifting.

Paul Branecky

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At least for today’s session, coach Paul Maurice has Brandon Sutter playing on the right wing of a line with Brind’Amour and Ryan Bayda. Jokinen, who is listed primarily as a left wing but put in a dominant 13-for-15 faceoff performance in Saturday, was centering a line with Chad LaRose and Patrick Eaves.  - Depth Chart

Assuming Jokinen’s showing in the circles wasn’t an aberration, and with a 53.0 percent success rate on the season, it probably wasn’t, this move should improve the Canes’ faceoff percentages as a whole. Sutter has the lowest percentage of any center on the roster this season at 38.3 percent.

 

Of course, it’s too early to suggest the switch is permanent, as another decision will need to be made when Scott Walker returns to the lineup. He’s not here at practice today, however.

I’ll update after we can talk to Maurice after practice. Also, Dennis Seidenberg is back, but the fact that Bryan Rodney is still with the team suggests that there is still some uncertainty about his status for Thursday’s game against Florida.

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