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“The culture’s gonna change because we’re gonna change it.”
That’s Tom Dundon, Carolina Hurricanes owner.
THIS IS YOUR SHOT
Alright, Chiarelli. Here’s your chance to get one back. The Carolina Hurricanes are wacky right now, and it would behoove you to pick up the phone and dial GM Don Waddell’s number.
TIMELINE
Something’s not quite right.
March: Ron Francis is stripped of the GM role and made President of Hockey Ops.
April 20th: Hurricanes coach Bill Peters resigns.
April 30th: The Hurricanes relieve Ron Francis of his duties. Senior Adviser Joe Nieuwendyk resigns.
May 1st: The Hurricanes hire Rick Dudley to be senior VP of Hockey Ops, Don Waddell is named Acting General Manager.
May 3rd: The Hurricanes acquire Jordan Martinook from the Coyotes for Marcus Kruger.
May 8th: Rod Brind’Amour will coach the Hurricanes, Don Waddell is named GM.
Everything that’s happened over the last few days is straight out of a National Lampoon film. Francis gone. Nieuwendyk gone. Peters gone. Dudley in. Waddell in. In the middle of that, they make a minor trade. Brind’amour goes from assistant to Head Coach. And the owner? Here he is on new coach Rod Brind’amour:
Dundon: I’ve come to the conclusion that strategy is pretty overrated. I don’t believe the strategy differences are as important as getting the right culture and the right attitude. I think he gives us the best chance of getting the most out of our players.
— Canes Country (@CanesCountry) May 9, 2018
Strategy is overrated. Culture. Attitude. Get this guy on the phone. Get Don Waddell on the phone. You remember Don Waddell and the Thrashers, yeah? I want to talk to all of these people on a conference call. I am ready to ship tonnes of “character” and “attitude” his way.
This sounds like all the right (wrong) things that people say when they’re ready to sell twenty dollars worth of merchandise for about two dollars and fifty cents. In other words, Peter Chiarelli might have an opportunity of his Oilers lifetime.
BEST CHANCE?
I know that Milan Lucic has a no-movement clause in his contract, but this is the time I’d start showing him brochures of the Research Triangle. Look Milan, Raleigh is super nice. They’ve got a nice climate and everyone’s friendly. You’re gonna love it.
The Oilers would get a giant albatross off of their back if they can free up Lucic’s six million dollar cap hit per year (for the next five years), or Kris Russell’s four million dollars (for the next three.) Getting him to waive his no-movement clause might be tricky, but the Oilers would be wise to make the call to see what’s up in Carolina.
Rod Brind’Amour expects Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon will try and make coaching decisions. The new head coach’s job? Trying to convince him otherwise when they’re terrible.
-Greg Wyshynski, ESPN (source)
The Hurricanes have undergone nearly a full-scale change in management in the last month. They’ve got an owner who wants to help make coaching decisions? Maybe he’d be interested in helping to bring a wheelbarrow full of ‘character’ and ‘attitude’ to his club.
Put Waddell on speed dial. Something wacky is underfoot.