OK, so let me get this straight: The Carolina Hurricanes are considering letting go of Peter Laviolette, the coach who led them to the 2006 Stanley Cup title?
I guess missing the playoffs twice in as many years since that time lends itself to serious scrutiny.Hurricanes general manager Jim Rutherford told The Associated Press this week there isn’t a rush to decide on Laviolette’s future.
“Everything is under review, as it should be at the end of any season,’’ Rutherford told the AP.
“Even under the best of times, there (are) changes that are made,’’ he added. "And then when you miss the playoffs two years in a row, you have to consider ... the things you can do to try to change, and bring about change, in your team and give you a better chance to make the playoffs and win the Stanley Cup.’’
I could see how missing the playoffs in back-to-back years after winning the Cup could get a coach fired in a place like Detroit or New Jersey. But the Hurricanes don’t have the tradition of the Red Wings or Devils, so this bantering about handing Laviolette the pink slip is disturbing.
Besides, it’s not like Carolina completely tanked after winning the Cup like it did in 2003-04 — under then-coach Paul Maurice — following its 2002 Stanley Cup Finals loss to Detroit.
The Canes barely missed the playoffs this season and last. In fact, this year Carolina finished two points shy of winning the Southeast Division with a record of 43-33-6. It did so despite mounting injuries to key players throughout the season.
Laviolette shouldn’t be skating on thin ice just yet. Cut the guy some slack.
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