Notebook: Assessing the First Week of Camp

Sunday hockey in July makes for a Sunday Funday, indeed.

The Carolina Hurricanes were on PNC Arena ice for a sixth day, and with a full off day ahead on Monday, now seems like a good time to empty the notebook with various news nuggets, quotes and more from the first week of Phase 3 training camp.

Thoughts After the First Week

Sunday's skate closed the book on what was a productive, high-energy first week back at the rink for the Canes.

Over the course of the week, head coach Rod Brind'Amour and his coaching staff reviewed a number of specific system elements and situational dos and don'ts, a crash course refresher on what gives the Canes their on-ice identity.

There was a steady incline in intensity, culminating in some loose scrimmages and tight-quarter battle drills on the weekend.

"The attitudes have been phenomenal, the work ethic has been really, really good," Brind'Amour assessed on Sunday. "I've been really, really happy with everybody."

Over the four-month pause, players stayed in regular contact with Bill Burniston, the Canes' head of strength and conditioning, working out with whatever was available to them, skating wherever and whenever they could find ice, all with the knowledge that the season could resume at any moment.

It wasn't the typical offseason, and this isn't the typical training camp.

"These guys have just sitting on the couch eating Häagen-Dazs all the time. Everyone is just out of shape. It's embarrassing, to be honest," Justin Williams joked earlier in the week. "I expect guys to be great and improve. I can't tell you if guys are - I can just tell you if they stink, and nobody stinks out there."

The tone was set the moment the first whistle blew on Monday.

"Honestly, the first day, it kind of seemed like everybody was picking up where we left off. There wasn't a whole lot of rust going on," Vincent Trocheck said on Thursday. "I think the only part that took a little bit of getting used to was just going through the drills again, the timing of everything. All in all, everyone looked like they were ready to go right from the jump."

"There was a lot of energy. Everyone here is obviously excited to get going," Jordan Staal said after a hard-working first day. "It's back on. We're back on the ice, and we're going to be fighting for a chance at the Cup."

Game on.

Looking Ahead

The Canes will depart for Toronto in a week from Sunday. Once in the bubble, the Canes will continue to train and will make some final tune-ups in an exhibition match against the Washington Capitals on the afternoon of Wednesday, July 29.

What would Brind'Amour like to see his team accomplish before departing Raleigh?

"I'd like to get sharp. We've covered a lot of stuff, but the sharpness - we've got to sharpen the blade here, a little bit," he said. "We'll have time now to condense and get sharper. I hope we can get to that point where we were when we left off. We were dialed in. Really didn't have to coach too much. Guys, they understand what's going on. If we can get to that in the next week, I'll feel real good."

Packing for the Bubble

How do you pack from a trip that could last two-plus months? It's a great question, one I might wrestle with until the last possible moment, when I come to the realization that I just need to toss a bunch of clothes into a suitcase and hope for the best.

This is obviously not a normal road trip, so how is everyone going to kill some time? I've got a stack of books begging to be read. Video games are certainly going to be popular. James Reimer said he's setting up a flight simulator on his computer.

"One of my side interests is flying," he said. "I hope to get [a pilot's license] one day, maybe when my career is done and I can focus on it then. For now, it's just a hobby. I'm trying to learn what I can."

According to Haydn Fleury, Jordan Staal is bringing a golf simulator to keep the team occupied on off days.

"I'd say we have the best golfing team in the best NHL," Fleury said. "We've got a lot of good guys who like to play."

And then there are clothes. Lots of clothes. And no dress code.

"I'm going to bring a lot of sneakers," Fleury said. "I like the Jordan 1 Lows. I've got like 20 pairs of those. They're kind of my shoe right now. Jordans are definitely my favorite. Shout out to him."

Petr Mrazek, notably fashion forward, is sure to pack a unique wardrobe.

"I'm really excited for that," he said. "I brought some clothes that I'll be happy to wear."

Being away from family for an extended period of time - families will be allowed inside the Edmonton bubble during the Conference Finals and Stanley Cup Final - will be tough, as well, but technology helps keep us all connected.

"The time I have had in these past four months to be with my wife and daughter has been awesome," Jaccob Slavin said. "There will be a lot of FaceTime, so hopefully the hotel has good wifi."

Playoff Beards

The arrival of facial hair in time for the postseason is an annual tradition in the NHL. I'll be honest: My quarantine beard (or "quaranbeard") is a free-for-all at the moment, but in a couple of weeks, it could pass as a stellar playoff beard.

"Hopefully we don't look like Smitty there," Williams laughed. "That beard is just as scraggly as we can see. … In 2020, everybody's got a beard. Either everyone is really a hell of a hockey player or people are just letting it go."

Both could be true!

"I'm starting mine now," Slavin said of his playoff beard. "I always have a beard, but I figured I might as well try to start it now and make sure it's looking good for the first round."

Sign of the Times

The Canes staged their 2019-20 team photo prior to practice on Saturday, and like everything else in 2020, it was a little different this season.

The photo, which was originally slated to be taken in March after the team returned from its five-game road trip, was wiped off the calendar along with the remainder of the regular-season schedule. So, the Canes took it (minus a few faces that might have otherwise been present) on July 18. Better late than never.

The Canes also snapped a team shot with everyone sporting one of the Video: "We want to run real good practices.", a sign of the times and an important message to heed.

"This whole wear one, don't wear one, to me makes no sense. I don't know why you wouldn't," Brind'Amour said. "It makes no sense to me. Someone tells me this could help, then you do it. It's that simple."

You heard the head coach.

Hey, Warren

It's the first week of training camp, but pranks appear to be in midseason form.

This helmet belongs to Warren, just in case anyone was wondering. Don't want it getting mixed up in other bags like we're in mite hockey.

This piece of tape remained on Foegele's helmet for much of practice on Sunday. He either eventually realized what was happening or someone tipped him off, and the tape was no more.

"To be back in the locker room with the guys playing the sport we love is awesome," Slavin said on Wednesday. "The vibe in our room is excitement, I think. I think everyone is looking forward to the playoffs and what this postseason holds for us."