Andrew Brunette On Balancing Winning and Development: 'I'm Not Always Right'

It comes down to finding the right balance.

"It's twofold. One, obviously we're in a playoff race, and two, we have to look at what's best for the young player."

Balancing those two goals is one of the biggest challenges Andrew Brunette is facing in his first season in Nashville, and it isn't an easy job. 

"I'm trying to balance the winning and developing and what I think is important for them," Brunette said. "I'm not always right."

"I try my best to make them a better player and try to find the best version of themselves, and so it's a delicate balancing act."

At the same time Brunette is evaluating the young players, he is evaluating his own decisions. 

"I second guess myself sometimes to know what's right for the player. Sometimes it's right for the game situations, but maybe not right for the player," he said. 

"As a coach a lot of times you get maybe just focused on winning at any cost. And for sure you have to do that, but you have to have an open mind and be mindful of our youth and where this organization is going and seeing it big picture."

Pursuing a playoff spot and developing young players is a tricky balance but the two aren't mutually exclusive. Getting the Predators into the postseason would provide an important development opportunity for the young players on Nashville's roster. 

"You're a better player when you get in those crunch moments," Brunette said about getting young players even brief postseason experience.

"The first time through it, it's hard as heck and you realize it, and it becomes easier and you understand what you need, what it takes to get there. So I think that's invaluable experience at any level."

The Predators hope to collect two more points towards a playoff spot tonight as they take on the New Jersey Devils.