NHL Rumors: Is Rod Brind’Amour leaving the Carolina Hurricanes?
Anthony Scultore
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The moment Rod Brind’Amour was eliminated from the Playoffs he catapulted to the top of the available head coaches list. His name was mentioned in the rumor mill before that, especially when it was reported he didn’t sign a three-year deal worth $1.8 million per season.
Could Brind’Amour be leaving Carolina? And if so – where is he heading?
NHL Rumors: Rod Brind’Amour leaving Hurricanes?
I am on record saying that Rod Brind’Amour and the Carolina Hurricanes will work this out. Almost all of the top insiders feel this way too. The hold up is believed to be Brind’Amour trying to make sure his assistant coaches are taken care of.
“I understand that one of the biggest issues is that Brind’Amour has asked that as much as he wants himself to get a contract extension, he also wants extensions for his coaching staff, the training staff and the equipment staff, which also are not signed for next year,” Elliotte Friedman said in early May. “And he said as much as a priority as his contract is, that is also an enormous priority for [Brind’Amour]. So what he is telling the organization is that he wants a situation where they are taken care of as well.”
Then yesterday a report surfaced that one of his assistants was granted permission to speak with other teams. Friedman also relayed on his latest 31 Thoughts Podcast he received a cryptic text with regards to Brind’Amour’s situation that read in essence, “Buckle your seatbelts.”
Carolina assistant Dean Chynoweth given permission by team to examine other opportunities. Obviously, a lot of interest in the Hurricanes’ coaching situation — he’s the only member of the staff at this time with permission to look elsewhere. We should have more clarity next week— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) June 11, 2021
So is this really a possibility? It simply can’t be ruled out or dismissed in light of this latest information. The question is where will he land?
Rod Brind’Amour to Kraken or Rangers a growing possibility
Everyday that passes where Brind’Amour doesn’t re-sign and the Rangers and Kraken don’t hire a coach improves the chances. The Rangers are the most lucrative gig in the business, but Seattle’s job is high profile as well.
A well-placed source said Brind’Amour would immediately become Seattle’s first choice if he gets to the open market. The expansion Kraken might have greater appeal to Brind’Amour, with his one-time Carolina teammate Ron Francis running the show as GM.
Larry Brooks, NY Post
Of course, Brind’Amour could simply be using both teams as leverage in order for owner, Tom Dundon to increase his current offer of three years at $1.8 million a season. Dundon is on record saying, “I’ve never really had a problem keeping good people, if I want to keep them, we keep them, we’ll find a way and he’s the best.” He then doubled down by adding, “I have no interest in owning the team without him coaching it, so he’s going to coach it.”
Carolina’s owner, Tom Dundon has made it clear that he wants Rod Brind’Amour retained. That leads me to believe the two sides can work this out. However, if not all of Brind’Amour’s demands are met it would not hurt to hear a pitch from Ron Francis.
The two are very familiar as teammates and also on the management level in Carolina. Before Francis resigned as the GM, Rod Brind’Amour was an assistant coach under him with the Canes. Francis eventually had his contract terminated by the Hurricanes when Tom Dundon became the new majority owner.
The Seattle Kraken have made it a point not to rush a coaching hire saying they would go all the way up to June 30th if they need to. It’s not like there aren’t excellent coaching candidates available in Gerard Gallant and Claude Julien for instance. So who is Ron wanting for? It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure this one out.