The Carolina Hurricanes are again in the midst of a too-long offseason after bowing out to the New York Rangers in six games in the Eastern Conference second-round. And as the team continues trying to get over the hump and reach a first Stanley Cup Final since 2006 next season, they may be doing it with a new general manager.
“There’s word tonight that Don Waddell has permission from the Hurricanes to speak to other teams,” reported The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun on Thursday. “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.”
Shortly after, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported that Waddell had interviewed with the Columbus Blue Jackets.
“Further to Pierre’s report, I believe Don Waddell interviewed in Columbus today,” the hockey insider confirmed.
It would be an interesting change in direction if Waddell does indeed move on, especially after head coach Rod Brind'Amour was just handed a multi-year extension to remain head coach in Raleigh. Brind'Amour and the rest of the coaching staff were all locked up by Waddell, and now it looks like Carolina has had internal discussions about a new general manager in case of his departure.
Don Waddell has spent a decade in Hurricanes organization
Waddell has been with the organization for a decade, first beginning as the President of Gale Force Sports & Entertainment, the club's parent company, in 2014. He was elevated to general manager in May of 2018.
The 65-year-old has been an architect of a consistently competitive Hurricanes team that has advanced to two Eastern Conference Finals under his watch. But the roster has been unable to break through and reach a Stanley Cup Final, still without an appearance since 2006.
The Hurricanes do have a couple of internal candidates if Waddell moves on, as pointed out by Pro Hockey Rumors' Brian La Rose.
“Assistant GM Eric Tulsky has had interviews elsewhere over the years and could be deemed ready to take on the full-time GM role. Darren Yorke, another Assistant GM, has been with the organization for the last 14 years, working his way up from video scout to his current title which he has held for the last four years. Meanwhile, long-time Hurricane Justin Williams has been a Special Assistant to Waddell for the past four years and could be a dark horse candidate if the job does indeed become available in the coming weeks.”
It'll be interesting to see if Waddell does indeed move on after 10 years in the organization, and whether it will be a lateral move to a team like the Blue Jackets. The longtime GM has done a great job in Carolina, but the sky-high expectations that have been placed on the team over the last few seasons just have not been met.
With or without Waddell, the Hurricanes will continue in their quest of trying to bring a Stanley Cup back to North Carolina in 2025.
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