As the Carolina Hurricanes and head coach Rod Brind’Amour were attempting to stave off elimination at the hands of the New York Rangers during the second round, rumors were swirling regarding the contract status of the Stanley Cup-winning Canadian coach.
Carolina was eliminated by the New York Rangers in six games. With no contract extension in place at the end of the season, many questioned the fate of Carolina’s long-time leader. Those questions were put to rest earlier this week as Rod Brind’Amour signed on for five more seasons in Carolina.
Rod Brind’Amour Lands In Carolina in 2000
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The deal that landed Rod Brind’Amour in Carolina occurred in January 2000 with the Philadelphia Flyers while he was still an active forward in the National Hockey League. Carolina’s star center, Keith Primueau, was searching for a new multi-million dollar contract. Carolina was struggling to locate the funds to pay to pivot his true value. Primeau sat out the 1999-00 season awaiting a new contract or a trade to another NHL team.
Enter…the New York Rangers? Yep – one of the archrivals of the Flyers stepped in with an offer for Keith Primeau that would have sent shockwaves around the league had that trade gone down. However, that three-way transaction fell apart between the Rangers, Coyotes & Hurricanes. Two days later, Carolina traded the prized center to Philadelphia for Rod Brind’Amour, a goalie prospect, and a few draft picks.
While it doesn’t always happen, the trade worked out for both teams. Brind’Amour lifted the 2006 Stanley Cup Trophy wearing the Hurricanes colors and had his number (#17) retired by the Hartford Whalers/Carolina Hurricanes franchise. Meanwhile, Primeau was the captain of the 2004 Flyers team that reached the Eastern Conference Finals before falling to Tampa Bay.
Rod Brind’Amour – Extraordinary Leader Behind a Bench
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Rod Brind’Amour was installed as the head coach of the Carolina Hurricanes in 2018. In the several years that have elapsed since his hiring, Brind’Amour has showcased an elite ability to lead an NHL bench. The winner of the Jack Adams Award in 2021, Rod has guided the Canes to wins in two-thirds of the games he has managed for the franchise with a .664% win percentage (278-130-44 record).
As things ramp up in the Playoffs, Brind’Amour’s clubs have competed admirably even if they have not reached the ultimate destination of the Stanley Cup Finals during his tenure. The Carolina Hurricanes have not LOST in the first round under Brind’Amour’s leadership as they’ve been one of the more consistent storms blowing across the landscape of the Eastern Conference over the last decade.
Despite departing the team last week, Canes general manager Dom Waddell had positive things to see about Brind’Amour’s long-term tenure in Carolina:
“Rod has been instrumental to the success we’ve had over the last six seasons,” (former) team president and general manager Don Waddell said. “Ever since he joined the organization 24 years ago, Rod has embodied what it means to be a Hurricane. We hope to keep him a Hurricane for life.”
If nothing else, Rod Brind’Amour will be expected to lead the Carolina Hurricanes back to the postseason several more times over the next five seasons.
About The Author
Christopher Babos is a genuine sports & entertainment journalist with diverse credentials in writing, broadcasting, and digital media. He can be located on X for real-time takes (@CBabosWrites). With various roles in the sports industry over two decades, Chris can speak with authority on the topics he covers. Additional insightful sports articles are located here.
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