Carolina Hurricanes coach Kirk Muller aiming for strong close to season, hopeful for next-NHL Update
Kirk Muller was given a huge responsibility when handed down the team earlier in November of 2011. The new Carolina coach was expected to bring back the team and make them playoff contenders but no matter how Muller was able to redefine the Hurricanes, they
still remain ousted.
With the final two games remaining on their 2011-2012 National Hockey League (NHL) regular season schedule, Muller is not only aiming to finish off the season in a strong way but is also optimistic about the next.
When the Carolina management fired former coach, Paul Maurice, Muller knew that he would have to define the role of each player and play them according to their strengths and weaknesses.
"I went right to the nucleus," Muller said. "I saw Cam Ward. Your No. 1 goaltender has won a Cup. Then you've got Brandon Sutter, Jeff Skinner and Eric Staal. There's a nucleus of guys. Some of them have already won. I knew I would love to go in and build
with them. You've got to make sure it's the right fit, or else you're in and out."
Having a coach that was also a top level player who also managed to grab the Stanley Cup championship during his career, players knew that Muller would make a great coach and have experienced nothing less.
"He had a really great career as a player and has won a Cup," forward, Jussi Jokinen, said. "He's been on the first line, second line, third line and fourth line throughout his career. So he knows how every player feels depending on the role they are playing.”
Muller, a second overall pick during round-one of the 1984 NHL Entry Draft by the New Jersey Devils, spent 19 seasons in the North American major league with various teams like Montreal Canadiens, New York Islanders, Toronto Maple Leafs, Florida Panthers
and Dallas Stars.
Snapping their two-game losing streak against Ottawa Senators on Tuesday, Muller is aiming at taking the next two as well when Carolina Hurricanes go up against Montreal Canadiens on Thursday and Florida Panthers on Saturday to end the season.
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