Hockey World Reacts to Predators Hire of Andrew Brunette

When Nashville Predators incoming General Manager Barry Trotz introduced Andrew Brunette as the fourth head coach in franchise history, the excitement in SMASHVILLE was palpable.

"What I was really looking for was a connection, and he can connect," Trotz said at Brunette's introductory press conference on May 31. "I'm excited for our franchise, the fans, the players - especially the players - because they will play for this guy."

Perhaps even more excited than Trotz are those who have played or worked alongside Brunette during his 25-plus years in the NHL as a player, coach and front office member. Brunette is beloved throughout the hockey world not only for his coaching prowess and knowledge of the game, but for his character and leadership both on and off the ice.

Brunette's impressive, albeit brief, head coaching resume speaks for itself. He led the Florida Panthers to the Presidents' Trophy in 2021-22 and reached the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs as an associate head coach for the New Jersey Devils in 2022-23. But what about the intangibles that set him apart from his colleagues?

Here is a preview of what to expect from Brunette behind the bench in Nashville, according to those who know him best:

Michael Russo (Senior NHL Writer, The Athletic)

Covered Brunette's career as a player, assistant coach and assistant general manager for the Minnesota Wild (2002-04; 2006-11; 2014-19) and interim head coach of the Florida Panthers (2021-22)

On Brunette's Previous Coaching Experience:

"Players liked him a lot in Florida. I think there's a lot of people in that locker room that still will credit the job that he did last year, leading them to the Presidents' Trophy. He took over very early in that season, and that season could have gone awry. But he won them their first playoff round since 1996. His fingerprints are still on that roster, and I think that when he goes to Nashville, his fingerprints will immediately be on that roster, too… The hire makes all the sense in the world to me."

On Brunette's Impact in Florida:

"I think that Florida Panther fans understand that the franchise went 26 years without winning a playoff round until Andrew Brunette coached them to that playoff win. And I think that is a big reason why they're at this point [reaching the Stanley Cup Final] today."

Kevin Weekes (Former NHL Goaltender; Studio Host & Analyst, ESPN/TSN/NHL Network)

Brunette's former OHL teammate, Owen Sound Platers (1992-93)

On Brunette's Character:

"He was just a very cerebral player with an incredible hockey sense. He was an awesome teammate who can read the game exceptionally well. He had great leadership skills; even [as a player], he had those leadership qualities… He's worked exceptionally hard for everything he's got."

On What Sets Brunette Apart as a Coach:

"He treats people with class. He's a people person. Not every coach really excels at people skills, and quite frankly, some of them are lacking. But what they lack, he possesses in spades. And that's really important because at the end of the day, we're in a people business. He's going to treat you fairly, he's going to be respectful and he's going to be decent to you."

On Brunette's Career Development:

"He's one of those people that everybody really roots for and that you'd like to see succeed because he likes to see other people flourish and help other people flourish. So in many ways, he's the same guy that he was when we were just young little skinny teenagers, and seeing him evolving and doing as much as he's done in so many different roles has been great. This is his first, wide-open head coaching opportunity, and I think this is something he can be proud of. I think it's awesome, and it's great for the Predators for sure."

Ray Ferraro (Former NHL Forward; Broadcaster, ESPN)

Brunette's former NHL teammate, Atlanta Thrashers (1999-2001)

On Brunette's Understanding of the Game:

"Bruno's my most favorite teammate that I played with in 18 years. I just think he's awesome. I love the guy… He is incredibly smart about the game. Bruno was never going to win a foot race anywhere on the ice, but he played 1,000 games because he knew how to play but he also knows how to talk about the game [in a way] that other people can understand. If you picture the smartest coach ever to be - whoever that is - if they can't get their message to the players, they're just a really smart guy standing behind the bench in a suit. But Bruno has the ability to make people feel like they understand what's going on. And I know as a player, I would have loved to have played for somebody like Bruno because he would find what I do best, and try and help me do that the best that I can."

Jamie Storr (Former NHL Goaltender)

Brunette's former OHL teammate, Owen Sound Platers (1991-93)

On Brunette's Perseverance:

"Andrew and I were roommates when I first got to Owen Sound. He was essentially like an older brother to me… His ability was kind of unique. Andrew was a type of player that nothing was ever handed to him. He had to earn everything himself. The odds were stacked against him, as a player, to play at a higher level because they felt that he was too slow and didn't skate well enough."

On Brunette's Leadership Skills:

"His resiliency and his commitment to be the best is basically what set him apart. And it doesn't matter what field he chooses - he was on the management side, and there's no doubt in my mind if he had to stay on that side, he would have been one of the best GMs that any team would have an opportunity to have. Now going over to the coaching side… There's no doubt in my mind that he's going to continue doing what he does, which is that he proves to everyone that he will be one of the best coaches of all time. I think Nashville is very fortunate to have a person with his character, a great human being and just a great person. He just has that ability to continually prove how good he is at any field he chooses."

On What Brunette Brings to the Preds:

"He can kind of resonate with everyone inside of that lineup, whether it's a young player just starting or an old guy just trying to have a couple more seasons under their belt. It's the ability to connect. I think his ability to communicate will help him tremendously. But the way he sees the game - I don't think there's too many people that will see it that way… I guarantee that every player playing for him is going to really enjoy it. Anything Andrew does, he's going to have a lot of success with it because he's the same person that he was as a player. He's got that unique ability… He found a way to score goals and found a way to create chances, and he did it at every level. As a head coach, his ability to bring the best out of everyone is going to be a great thing for the Nashville Predators, and I'm excited to watch them."