What’s next for the Carolina Hurricanes with Bill Peters gone?

It’s a time of change for the Carolina Hurricanes, so what will they do with coach Bill Peters officially gone?

The Carolina Hurricanes have a new owner, and they’ve missed the playoffs in eight straight seasons now. The last four of those have been under coach Bill Peters, who had an exit clause in his contract that was too obvious not to exercise by the deadline on Friday. According to Bob McKenzie of TSN, Peters will do just that and will leave the Hurricanes.

Peters will not lack for opportunities elsewhere, with the New York Rangers, Dallas Stars and Calgary Flames currently looking for a new coach. So he’ll be fine, with a salary that will surely exceed the $1.6 million per year he made in Carolina.

But the wider implication sits with the Hurricanes, as they try to turn around their fortunes. So where do they go from here?

Carolina is also already seeking a new general manager, after moving Ron Francis to president of hockey operations in early March. Don Waddell has been serving as interim general manager for the last 6-7 weeks, but finding someone to fill the spot more permanently will probably have to come before a serious search for a new coach.

There are multiple potential candidates to be Carolina’s next coach. Rod Brind’amour, one of Peters’ assistants and a Hurricanes’ assistant coach for the last seven seasons, has become a rumored candidate. He also spent the final nine-plus seasons of his playing career with the Hurricanes, so that could be a long-term tie that ultimately binds.

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If owner Tom Dundon does not want to pay up for one of the bigger name coaching candidates, like Dave Tippett, Alain Vigneault or Dan Bylsma, Brind’amour and Hurricanes’ assistant GM/AHL coach Mike Vellucci could be the top two options to replace Peters.