While the Carolina Hurricanes continue their hunt for a new general manager, Don Waddell — who’s been serving in the role in the interim — will continue on for the time being, according to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman.
The Hurricanes couldn’t come to an agreement with Buffalo Sabres assistant GM Steve Greeley, according to Friedman, and have no other prospective hires on deck. Greeley originally went as far as Mexico to meet with Tom Dundon — who took over as majority owner of the club in January — to discuss the position while Dundon was vacationing there, per Friedman. The two had recently met once again for another interview about the GM job.
Carolina’s high-profile search has hit more than a few bumps in the road since the club shifted former manager Ron Francis out of the top job in early March.
First came reports of numerous candidates passing on the position — including Nashville Predators assistant GM Paul Fenton, New Jersey Devils assistant GM Tom Fitzgerald, and Los Angeles Kings assistant GM Michael Futa — as well as questions of whether Dundon’s salary offer is too low to attract quality candidates.
With Greeley seemingly out of the picture for now as well, the club will continue on with Waddell, previously the GM of the Atlanta Thrashers and also currently the president of Gale Force Sports & Entertainment, the Hurricanes’ parent company.
Carolina also remains without a head coach after last season’s bench boss Bill Peters resigned and moved on to the Calgary Flames.
The club has some important decisions to make this off-season, made even more weighty by Saturday’s Draft Lottery, during which time the Hurricanes were awarded the second-overall pick in the 2018 NHL Draft, despite entering with just a three per cent chance of jumping up to the top spot.
Carolina posted a record of 36-35-11 in 2017-18, finishing outside of a playoff spot for the ninth straight season.
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