November 17, 2009 -- Following a curiously disturbing trend, which began 2003, the once mighty Carolina Hurricanes have been downgraded to light rain, maybe just partly cloudy sky or a gentle breeze. The team has once again followed up a successful postseason with an inexplicable nosedive.

The same team, which made an unlikely run to the Eastern Conference final this past spring, recently followed up that terrific playoff run by going winless for 35 days. During that dark period beginning with a 5-2 loss vs. Tampa Bay in the fifth game of the 2009-10 season, the ‘Canes amassed only 4 points while losing 14 straight games. By the time a 5-4 victory over the Minnesota Wild snapped the losing streak on November 14, Carolina was last in the NHL with only 10 points after playing 19 games. Total goals scored? An anemic 42, “good” enough for last in the Eastern conference, all the while giving up a league high of 72.

Wherein lies the problem? Is it the players? Is it the coach, or better put, perhaps a coaching curse? Consider the history.

Paul Maurice began this trend in his seventh year as head coach in 2001-02, when he led them to the brink of the Promised Land, reaching the Stanley Cup final for the first time in franchise history before losing to the Detroit Red Wings in five games.

The 2002-03 season would prove far less fruitful, as their 61 regular season points left the team dead last in the entire league. Coach Maurice was then bid adieu in December of the 2003-04 season and was replaced by Peter Laviolette. The team improved to 76 points but finished only 11th in the Eastern Conference, again missing the playoffs.

A huge turnaround followed, as Laviolette finally brought home the laurels in 2006 when the Hurricanes beat the Edmonton Oilers in a classic seven-game Stanley Cup final, capturing the team’s first championship. 

However, the Carolina coaching curse would rear its head once more, stinging Mr. Laviolette. The ‘Canes missed the 2006-07 and 2007-08 playoffs, echoing their disintegration after their first Cup final appearance in ‘02. After starting the 2008-09 season with a mediocre 12-11-2 record, Laviolette was finally shown the door. This series of unfortunate events left the door open for the return of an old friend.

Paul Maurice was rehired 25 games into the 2008-09 season and the team celebrated his return by finishing with a 33-19-5 record over the final 57 games and returned to the playoffs, punctuating their strong finish with a run to the Conference final. Along the way, they scored two game seven, series-clinching victories on the road against New Jersey and Boston before bowing out to Sidney Crosby and his marching Penguins, who toppled incumbent champion Detroit, winning the Cup.

Three great playoff runs followed by three seasons of unfathomable futility. Two different coaches, both of whom suffered the same fate. Both fired in the month of December, Maurice in 2003, Laviolette in 2008. Check the calendar, it is almost December again and Paul Maurice must be thinking déjà vu. Perhaps it is time to bring back coach Laviolette. The team has been coached by either Paul or Peter since November 1995 when Paul Maurice replaced Paul Holmgren (the original coach Paul) who had been the coach since the 1992-93 season.

My suggestion is simple: New blood.

Canes' Director of Player Personnel and Associate Coach Ron Francis has a long history with the team and was head coach material long before his playing days ended in 2005.

The esteemed Mr. Francis, who won two Cups while skating with the Penguins, is also the most successful player in Hurricanes history and was Captain of the 2002 team. An excellent two-way player, Ron was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2007. Ronnie is well respected in the hockey world.  Not mention it appears that this franchise has taken the Peter/Paul cycle as far as it can go. It is clearly time for a real change and December is fast approaching.

Francis' No. 10 jersey has been hanging from the RBC Center's rafters in Raleigh, NC since Jan 28, 2006. His non-playing career with the team began shortly thereafter when he was named Director of Player Development in November 2006. He was then promoted to Assistant GM in October 2007.

Francis obviously felt his calling was behind the bench when he joined coach Maurice there in December 2008 when the latter was rehired as head coach. As his title of Director of Player Personnel would indicate, Francis maintains a voice in front office decision-making.

Francis was originally a first round draft pick of the Hartford Whalers (now the Hurricanes) in 1981. Of course, sports history has shown that great players rarely make great coaches, but this would be an exception. Anyone who followed Francis' playing career understands the intangible qualities Francis would bring to the bench.

Francis obviously loves the Carolina franchise, and the franchise loves and appreciates Ron Francis. This season can still be salvaged. It is now time for the Ron Francis head coaching era to begin.

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