Wanna blog? Start your own hockey blog with My HockeyBuzz. Register for free today!
 

This Summer's Biggest UFA: Brind'amour. Seattle Offer? Flyers?

April 18, 2021, 11:38 AM ET [23 Comments]
Eklund
RSSArchiveCONTACT
It was April 13th, 2017, the spring prior to the Vegas Golden Knights premiere season, that Gerard Gallant was named the franchise's first head coach. Remember, April 13th, 2017 was AFTER the 2016-17 Regular season.

It is now April 18th, the spring prior to the first season of the Seattle Krakken....and no coach has been named. The season is still going, but the time before the Krakken will open camp, is the same 5 months the Knights had.

The GM of the Seattle Kraken is the great Ron Francis, former hurricane and one of the MANY, many NHL manager or coach that played for or were connected to the old Hartford Whalers. (Can you name all the ex-Whalers in the comments who are now currently working in team management or on the coaching staff?)

It is no secret why the Kraken don't have a coach yet, or who Ron Francis would want the most:

Rod Brind'amour.


Brind'amour is on the final year of his contract coaching the Hurricanes. He has done an incredible job coaching a team without many high-priced players. They are not only competitive, they are a legit Cup contender. And Brind-amour's salary of only $2M per year puts him in the bottom third of coaches. In his own division, Quenneville makes $5.5M and Jon Cooper $3.5M.

There is no question that Brindy is a Hurricane legend and loves the Canes, but the going rate for the TOP recent NHL coaches is $5M. Vigneault makes 5, Sullivan makes 4.4, Trotz makes 4....The Canes haven't shown a willingness to pay top dollar for a coach or GM...During the interview process for GMs, the Canes showed they believed they could get a GM for aroun $1M. They never hired one and Don Waddell has continued to be President AND GM.

Seattle will offer a lot more then a million to Brind'amour, and so might the other team Brind'amour has long-time ties to....Philadelphia. The Flyers season has been a major disappointment and Comcast will be closely evaluating GM Fletcher and Coach Vigneault at season's end...If there is an opening and Brind'amour is out there, it could be a bidding war.

People I trust in Carolina believe Brind'amour will be kept, but he won't take a HUGE home-town discount. Time will tell...

How much do you believe Rod Brind'amour is worth per year?
Join the Discussion: » 23 Comments » Post New Comment
More from Eklund
» 14 Games Tonight with SO Much on the line. Previews and Picks
» Best Night of Hockey Yet..With Drama, Comebacks, Upsets!..Picks;Wed's Buzz
» 12 HUGE GAMES. THE BUZZTRON TELLS YOU EXACTLY WHAT WILL HAPPEN...
» Buzztron 7-3 last night. New Tie in Projected President Cup; Mon's Buzz
» The Buzztron Wins another Night Calling Leafs and Rangers Wins. Tonight?