Don Waddell steps down as Hurricanes president/GM

Don Waddell has stepped down as the general manager and president of the Carolina Hurricanes, the team announced Friday.

Waddell's departure comes after six seasons as general manager and 10 total with the Hurricanes. He was hired as team president before the start of the 2014-15 season and then added the GM title during the 2018-19 season.

"I have come to the decision that now is the time for me to move to the next chapter of my career," Waddell said in a statement. "I have loved my experiences in the Triangle over the past 10 years, and together with a strong team, on and off the ice, we have accomplished many great victories. I am grateful for the support I have received from many loyal Caniacs. This organization is in strong, capable hands and well-positioned for the future."

Waddell, who was in the final year of his contract with Carolina, interviewed with Columbus on Thursday, sources told ESPN's Emily Kaplan, and is a candidate to become the team's president after the Blue Jackets parted with longtime general manager Jarmo Kekalainen after 10 seasons.

Hurricanes assistant general manager Eric Tulsky will serve as interim GM as the team looks for Waddell's permanent replacement. Tulsky joined the Hurricanes at the start of the 2014-15 season as an analyst, became director of analytics in 2017-18 and was promoted to assistant GM before the 2020-21 season.

Under Waddell, the Hurricanes became one of the more prominent examples of teams that found sustained success by drafting and developing homegrown talent.

After missing the playoffs for nine straight years, the Hurricanes have since made six consecutive postseason appearances, including two trips to the Eastern Conference finals. They finished second in the Metropolitan Division this season and were eliminated in the second round by the New York Rangers.