Waddell to return as Hurricanes president, GM

Carolina Hurricanes president and general manager Don Waddell confirmed he will continue to lead the club next season despite being without a contract.

"The answer is yes," Waddell said when asked if he'd be returning, according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman. "(Owner Tom Dundon and I) are working on terms, but we have a mutual agreement to continue in this direction."

After replacing former general manager Ron Francis on an interim basis in March 2018, Waddell was officially named president and full-time GM that May.

In his first full year filling the roles, Waddell helped the Hurricanes return to the playoffs for the first time in nine seasons, reaching the Eastern Conference Final. The 60-year-old was named a finalist for GM of the Year for his work.

Waddell put his first imprint on the club by replacing head coach Bill Peters with assistant Rod Brind’Amour. He then traded Noah Hanifin and Elias Lindholm to the Calgary Flames for Dougie Hamilton and Micheal Ferland.

In need of goaltending, Waddell signed free-agent netminder Petr Mrazek and claimed Curtis McElhinney off waivers from the Toronto Maple Leafs. He then acquired forward Nino Niederreiter from the Minnesota Wild in exchange for Victor Rask in a trade that worked out overwhelmingly in the Hurricanes' favor.

Carolina found tremendous success despite having the NHL's lowest payroll last season, with no player making more than $6 million.