Hurricanes To Be Sellers Approaching Deadline
2017-03-14-Raleigh, NC
Carolina Hurricanes General Manager Matthew Rose delivered a stunning statement at a press conference held at PNC arena this afternoon. "Approaching the deadline, our course of action will be to follow a short-term rebuild plan that has been discussed within our hockey operations department" he announced before a packed media room, "we are in probably the toughest division in the MRFHL and ten points back of the final playoff spot. Realistically, we would need a miracle to make up ground as of right now".
Rose also had an important message for his players stating that "they have proven that they are true competitors and should be proud of their season and continue to push hard" and that "this is not throwing in the towel, we have faith in the direction of this franchise". Rose also pointed out that their slow start to the season and lack of effort from several key players is a big reason why their team is not currently in a playoff spot.
When questioned about the future of head coach, Willie Desjardins (signed through 2017-18), Rose chose to point out that the coaching staff and players would all be evaluated at the season's conclusion and decisions would be made then.
"One big thing I want to reiterate is that this season was not a failure" Rose stressed, "I believed at the beginning of the season that this team had the potential to be a contender but unfortunately, some things didn't go our way. That being said, I still believe that we have a core group of players in place to compete in coming seasons and that we are a team on the rise".
"My primary goal is still to turn this organization into a winner" Rose concluded, "and while most might see a season like ours as a failure if we don't make the post-season, I see this as a success because we know what direction this organization is headed and we have a plan in place to achieve our goal of success".
Most remain skeptical of Rose's high ambitions but one thing is for sure, the Hurricanes under Rose's leadership are going to be interesting to watch not just up to the deadline but over the rest of the season and the course of the off-season.