By Brett Knese, WRAL reporter

Raleigh, N.C. — After the Carolina Hurricanes were eliminated in a heartbreaking Game 6 loss, coach Rod Brind’Amour is at the end of his deal and several key players are unrestricted free agents.

Fans and those around the league are asking should the Carolina Hurricanes do whatever it takes to keep Brind’Amour?

The last six Carolina Hurricanes seasons have ended in all different kinds of heartbreak but just about every fan who spoke with WRAL said they don’t want Brind’Amour going anywhere.

To get to the playoffs, a team needs some skill, a few wins and someone behind the bench guiding the team.

For the past six seasons, that man has been Brind’Amour.

“He’s Carolina hockey,” said Canes fan Scott Sendek. “He’s as big as it gets. I’m a big fan of Rod.”

You’ll be hard pressed to find anyone who embodies the Hurricanes franchise as much as Brind’Amour does. He was the first Canes player to lift the Stanley Cup in 2006.

In his first year as head coach (2018-2019), Brind’Amour took a Carolina team who hadn’t seen postseason hockey in a decade back to the playoffs and he’s established a winning mentality.

Kacy Hintz covers the Canes extensively for WRAL Sports and has interviewed the coach one-on-one. She says Brind’Amour’s style resonates with the fans and the players.

“It’s all about the culture, but that all starts with Rod Brind’Amour,” Hintz said. “You’re not going to just find that anywhere. You got guys who want to stay here who want to finish out their career here because of everything that Rod brings to this organization.”

After Thursday’s loss, some fans went to lunch at Backyard Bistro where they talked about whether or not they want to see Brind’Amour, who’s No. 17 is hanging in the rafters, continue to lead this team.

“He’s a Raleigh guy through and through,” said Casey Ritchie. “I’ve heard some rumors about Seattle and all that but let’s just pay the guy. Keep him here. I think he’s got a plan in place.”

“I can’t imagine needing anyone else or finding anyone better than him,” said Ritchie.

Brind’Amour is one of only three players to ever be retired by this organization and it hangs in the rafters here at PNC Arena alongside that 2006 championship banner. Fans say they’re hopeful a deal to keep Brind’Amour happens quickly.

Source: wralsportsfan.com