Report: Major Changes Seemingly On Horizon for Devils Division Rival

After the New Jersey Devils defeated the New York Rangers in the first round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Carolina Hurricanes made quick work of a young and emotionally exhausted Devils team in the second round, defeating New Jersey in five games. This spring, the Hurricanes failed to get past the Rangers and were eliminated in the second round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs. As a result, a report late on Thursday night suggests major changes are on the horizon for Carolina.

The Canes have been one of the best, if not the best, Metropolitan Division teams in each of the last four seasons and have reached the postseason in their last six. However, the Devils’ division rival has come up short of reaching the championship round, bowing out twice in the Conference Final, the second round thrice, and once in the first round over the last six seasons.

Despite their regular season success, the Hurricanes have nothing to show for it, and it appears changes are on the brink.

Insider Pierre LeBrun reported on Thursday via X (formerly Twitter), “There’s word tonight that Don Waddell has permission from the Hurricanes to speak to other teams. His contract with Carolina is expiring. The Hurricanes are believed to have already had conversations about a new GM because they expect his eventual departure. Let’s see where this goes.”

LeBrun later confirmed that not only does Waddell have permission to speak with other teams, but he’s already spoken with the Columbus Blue Jackets regarding their GM vacancy.

The news comes as a bit of a surprise.

The timing of the news remains especially shocking given the Hurricanes just announced a major five-year extension for head coach Rod Brind’Amour. Not only did Brind’Amour receive an extension, but the Hurricanes head coach was adamant on his staff receiving a similar deal to his, and they did. As a result, Assistant Coaches Jeff Daniels and Tim Gleason, Video Coach Chris Huffine, and Goaltending Coach Paul Schonfelder will all be back with Brind’Amour for nearly his entire extension.

“Rod’s been in this franchise for a long time as a player, assistant coach, and head coach. The number one priority for us was to make sure we got Rod taken care of,” Waddell said to attending Hurricanes media.

The Hurricanes’ GM made it seem like a deal had been in place well before the announcement. However, it still comes as a shock to see Hurricanes ownership allow Waddell to negotiate a long-term contract for a coach he might not even be in the organization to work with.

Further changes seem inevitable for the Devils’ division rival as well. It’s been reported that key forward Martin Necas may be traded in the summer, while they may also let key defenseman Brett Pesce walk in unrestricted free agency.

Other key Hurricanes players who could be in new sweaters next season via free agency include Teuvo Teravainen, Brady Skjei, and Stefan Noesen.

Many believe that if Wadell, in fact, moves on from the Hurricanes’ organization, Eric Tulsky will be the next GM in Carolina.

We’ll see how things shake out for the Devils’ division rival. Perhaps, there’s a window of opportunity for Sheldon Keefe and Co. to rise over Carolina as the next perennial Metropolitan Division leader.