Although it may not seem like it, this year’s playoffs could be the last dance for Carolina. As many as nine players can quit from day to day in the summer, including long-time regulars such as Brett Pesce, Brady Skjei, Jordan Martinook and Teuvo Teravainen. And maybe coach Rod Brind’Amour, the mastermind behind the success, will join.
With a head coaching contract still not in place, that sentiment is growing overseas, especially as rumors near the end of the regular season suggested a deal was close, but negotiations appeared to have reached an impasse and stalled.
As the Hurricanes await the start of their second-round series against the New York Rangers, Brind’Amour’s name is increasingly being mentioned in connection with vacancies elsewhere.
“It’s more or less done, there’s not much left,” Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon reassures fans in an interview with the News & Observer. “General manager Don Waddell and he are working on it. I said OK to almost everything they asked me to do. Now he’s just dealing with the last details.”
With Tuesday’s 6-3 win over the New York Islanders, the Hurricanes became the first NHL team to win a round of the playoffs in six straight seasons since the Detroit Red Wings in 1995-2000.
It’s been six seasons since Brind’Amour took over the team in the summer of 2018 and ended a decade-long playoff wait. They advanced to the conference finals twice, but were eliminated both times. Even so, Brind’Amour accomplished incredible things
If he were to hit the market, he would be one of the most sought-after candidates. There have already been rumors that Seattle Kraken general manager Ron Francis is preparing a big-money offer for his former teammate immediately after firing head coach Dave Hakstol on Monday.
Brind’Amour would also be a natural fit for a big-time team like the Toronto Maple Leafs, who could be parting ways with Sheldon Keef if they suffer their seventh opening-round elimination in the last eight years. Brind’Amour’s availability could also draw interest from other teams that have coaches under contract, such as the Philadelphia Flyers or Vancouver Canucks, where he has personal ties.
By all accounts, of course, it’s mainly about money. After all, he already dealt with you once in Carolina.
After starting 2018 as one of the NHL’s lowest-paid coaches, Brind’Amour signed a three-year contract extension in June 2021 following the Hurricanes’ third straight playoff berth. However, only after securing pay raises for his assistants and subordinates.
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