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Carolina Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind'Amour. David Berding-USA TODAY Sports

Rangers HC reveals why Hurricanes should stick with Rod Brind'Amour behind the bench

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 5/17/24

Following the premature ending to the Carolina Hurricanes' 2023-2024 season, doubts remain over head coach Rod Brind'Amour's future. However, his former boss and recent adversary made a compelling argument for why the franchise should keep him behind the bench.

After his New York Rangers eliminated Brind'Amour and the Hurricanes from the postseason on Thursday, head coach Peter Laviolette praised his former player.

"What he's done here in Carolina is provide a system and a culture and a work ethic led by him and what he wants from his teams," Laviolette said via SNY. "And it's a reflection year after year of how they play. I have nothing but respect for Rod and for the job that he's done here and for their team as well—because they are a top team in the NHL."

After battling back from a 3-0 series deficit, the #Canes fall short in Game 6 as their season comes to a close.

Recap » https://t.co/Ls4UM5qCJi pic.twitter.com/n85cH9P1R0
— Carolina Hurricanes (@Canes) May 17, 2024

The message wasn't word service as he and Brind'Amour have a unique bond shared by few in the NHL. In 2005-2006, the two, as coach and captain, helped the Hurricanes win their first Stanley Cup. Laviolette spoke glowingly about their strong relationship, adding that they shared something they'll "take with us for the rest of our lives."

Over 22 seasons, Laviolette has seen it all and won a lot. He has now led four different teams to the conference finals, including the Hurricanes (2006), Philadelphia Flyers (2010), Nashville Predators (2017) and Rangers (2024). So, he knows a thing or two about what it takes to be an effective head coach in the NHL.

Brind'Amour, who has coached the Hurricanes since the 2018-2019 campaign, inked a three-year extension with the franchise in 2021, making him a free agent this summer.

Recently, rumors that contract talks had reached an "impasse" began to surface, according to the News & Observer, and those whispers might get louder after a third second-round exit in four years.

Meanwhile, things might be even more hairy for Brind'Amour, considering how this season ended. Viewed as one of the favorites to come out of the East, the Hurricanes fell behind the Rangers 3-0 in the best-of-seven series, only to crawl back and force a Game 6 on Thursday.

But after holding a two-goal advantage in the third period, they allowed four unanswered goals, including a natural hat trick from Chris Kreider, to fall 5-3.

Before the Hurricanes' season ended in heartbreak, both sides seemed eager to get a deal done. Brind'Amour said he felt "really good" about returning to the team. At the same time, Carolina's president and general manager didn't seem worried, telling The Athletic, "We're gonna get it done."

However, things change rapidly in the NHL. And with Brind'Amour's inability to get the Hurricanes over the hump in recent years, it wouldn't be a huge surprise if the franchise decided it was time for a new voice.

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