The Carolina Hurricanes are gearing up for the New York Rangers in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. No matter how their second-round series ends, though, they have an important summer ahead. Head coach Rod Brind’Amour will be a free agent once the season ends and could explore options around the league. That being said, general manager Don Waddell hopes that won’t come to pass.
Waddell addressed Brind’Amour’s contract situation with The Athletic on Wednesday. The Hurricanes general manager was rather straightforward with his thoughts on the matter. “We’re gonna get it done,” Waddell said, via The Athletic. “I’m not worried about it. He wants to be a Hurricane for life.”
Rod Brind’Amour played 21 seasons in the NHL with the St. Louis Blues, the Philadelphia Flyers, and the Hurricanes. He went to the Stanley Cup Final in 1997 with the Flyers and in 2002 with the Hurricanes. In 2006, he captained Carolina to their first and only Stanley Cup in franchise history.
Rod Brind’Amour emerges as elite coach
Brind’Amour retired as a player in 2010. In 2011, he was hired as an assistant coach with a focus on developing forwards. The Ottawa native then became the head coach of the team in May 2018. The 2018-19 season saw the former forward lead Carolina to their first playoff appearance in a decade.
Brind’Amour didn’t just stop with the playoffs, though. The Hurricanes went on an inspiring run, making the Eastern Conference Final. Unfortunately, that didn’t go their way. Carolina ran into the Boston Bruins, who swept them aside in four games. Still, the performance gave the Hurricanes hope for their future.
Since then, Brind’Amour has led Carolina to the playoffs every year. Furthermore, they have made it past the first round or qualifying round every season. Last season saw the Hurricanes make the Eastern Conference Finals once again, though they were swept by the Florida Panthers.
On Tuesday, the Hurricanes defeated the New York Islanders in Game 5. This secured another trip to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. And it also earned Rod Brind’Amour a bit of history. He became the second head coach in NHL history to win a playoff series in each of his first six seasons behind the bench.
Hurricanes hope to keep other teams at bay
The match between Rod Brind’Amour and the Hurricanes seems to have been made in heaven. That said, recent reports have thrown some doubt over their future together. TSN’s Darren Dreger mentioned that an extension seemed close in recent weeks. However, Carolina reportedly pulled the offer off the table.
Dreger went on to mention that a desire to remain with the franchise is not a concern. At least, not on Brind’Amour’s side of things. “Sources said Brind’Amour wants to stay, but may have to test the market if an agreement can’t be reached,” the TSN insider posted on social media on Wednesday.
The Hurricanes need to get an extension done with Brind’Amour before July 1. If they don’t, they know they have a battle ahead with other teams. One such team is the Seattle Kraken. Seattle recently fired head coach Dave Hakstol. Brind’Amour’s former teammate Ron Francis currently heads up the Kraken, as well.
Another team that could strike is the Toronto Maple Leafs. Toronto is on the verge of another first-round exit in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Head coach Sheldon Keefe may find himself out of town if the Maple Leafs lose to the Boston Bruins. And Toronto could pony up to secure Brind’Amour’s services soon after.
This isn’t mentioning teams currently seeking a new head coach. The St. Louis Blues, New Jersey Devils, and Los Angeles Kings are among the teams seeking new bench bosses. Furthermore, teams like the Columbus Blue Jackets and Pittsburgh Penguins could make a move for new coaches, as well.
The Hurricanes have to keep their star head coach around before July 1 arrives. If they don’t Rod Brind’Amour could hit the open market with no shortage of interested teams. This is certainly a situation for fans to keep their eyes on once Carolina’s run in the Stanley Cup Playoffs comes to an end.
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