Predators Practice Report: Maintenance Days, Mental Toughness, and a Lesson from the Hockey Gods

Andrew Brunette

Andrew Brunette spoke after practice about what he sees from this team after 14 game of the regular season. 

"I think we're a bit inconsistent. The effort's been there, but just little details and I think it's been a little bit of a roller coaster," Brunette said. 

"It feels like we're getting it, and then there's a game where maybe we don't have our legs or you're put on your heels a little bit, and we kind of revert back to being a little bit more passive and we defend a little too much."

"It's been a little bit frustrating at different times, but their effort is there, the will is there. We've just got to have a little bit of mental toughness at different times," Brunette said. 

When asked about the mistakes in the Arizona game that contributed to the loss, Brunette said he felt like the mistakes are fixable. 

"I thought our energy was high, I thought our mental energy was low," Brunette said. 

"Part of it is the hockey gods telling you if you don't show up for two games and you think you're going to show up for one and win a hockey game, you're probably going to be sadly mistaken in our business."

Kiefer Sherwood

Kiefer Sherwood talked about the takeaways from Saturday's game after practice as well.

There was frustration after the loss, especially after Nashville's offensive production Saturday night.

"If you're up 40 shots and five goals, usually you're going to win games," Sherwood said. 

"I think we are doing a lot of good things. I think we continue to build on that and just limit some of the trading chances back and forth," he said. 

As tough as the loss was against Arizona, Sherwood believes it is important to trust the process. 

"I think our identity's coming, and it's hard because we're just being judged on our results. We can trust the process and look more at the positive things over time. We're going to win a lot more games than we lose."

Sherwood has two goals in his last three games and his play with Tommy Novak and Luke Evangelista has been a consistent bright spot for the team so far this season. When asked about the offensive  results he is getting, Sherwood talked about how important the right mindset is.

"I just try to come in with a fresh mindset every day and earn my stripes," he said. "Every day is a new day and there's something to be achieved."

I try to be impactful. I try not to look too much at the results. I think if I can contribute energy wise to the team, disrupt on the forecheck and disrupt offensively and create a lot of O zone possession for my line mates and be reliable defensively, then I think if you play the right way and do the little things right, then you get rewarded."

Hockey's an honest game," Sherwood said.

This time last season, Sherwood had already returned to Milwaukee after starting the season with the Predators. A lot has changed in a year, and Sherwood says one thing has changed the most. 

"Just my mindset," he said. "I try to bring the confidence and swagger and energy, and I think when you do those things and you put in the work, you get rewarded."

"I think last year I didn't have my identity. Over time I figured that out and so for me, I'm just trying to play to my identity and what I do well and bring to the team whatever the team needs. I think when I do that now, good things happen."

The Predators will be back on the ice tomorrow for a morning skate before taking on the Anaheim Ducks at 7:00 pm tomorrow night. 

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