Hurricanes coach Peters getting back to basics: 'It’s a simple game played by simple people'

It's well documented that new Carolina Hurricanes head coach Bill Peters is intent on ensuring his top offensive players are presented with every opportunity to succeed. 

On Thursday, speaking with reporters including Chip Alexander of the News & Observer, he made it all seem quite simple.

“A structured forecheck leads to offensive opportunity,” Peters said, while showing video of how an Eric Staal forecheck led to winger Elias Lindholm banging in a rebound off Jeff Skinner's shot against the New York Rangers. 

“That’s how you score in the National Hockey League. It’s a simple game played by simple people. You need to do it right and you need to do it right all the time.”

Peters believes the message will fall on receptive ears based on the club's performance in recent seasons. 

“I think we have a hungry group,” Peters said. “It’s been five years since we played a playoff game. I talked to three guys today and said, ‘How was your summer?’ 'L-ooong.' 

"When we’re playing good we’re a really good team. We just need to play hard all [season] long. We didn’t do it last year. We didn’t get to the playoffs. Hopefully this year.”

The Hurricanes may be in tough to make such a big leap up the standings after finishing seventh in the Metropolitan Division, a full ten points out of a wild-card spot. Sometimes success comes from keeping things simple, so maybe Peters is on to something.