The Carolina Hurricanes are still in search of a new general manager. Might they also need to start looking for a new head coach soon?
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported last month that the club’s current coach, Bill Peters, could move on thanks to an option in his contract that would allow him to walk away with one year left on his deal.
According to Friedman, that option is currently open.
“We mentioned a couple weeks ago that Carolina Coach Bill Peters has an option open in his contract to leave,” Friedman explained during Hockey Night in Canada. “That is on right now. There was some belief it was a seven-day option that would’ve closed potentially as soon as today, but I think that’s been extended and he remains to have the ability to look around if he wants to leave the Hurricanes.”
In his latest edition of 31 Thoughts, Friedman suggested a few names to keep an eye on should Peters walk.
“If Peters does leave, you have to think AHL Charlotte coach Mike Vellucci is the likely replacement, although he’s been rumoured as a GM possibility, too,” he wrote. “Word is [team owner Thomas] Dundon is a Rod Brind’Amour fan, too.”
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Peters, who has a $1.6-million salary for 2018-19, has held his position in Carolina for the past four seasons. He has registered a 137-138-53 record with no playoff appearances during that time, and hasn’t been shy about letting out his frustrations at times.
Regardless of his NHL decision, Peters’ next coaching gig will be behind the bench of Team Canada during the upcoming IIHF World Championship in May.
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