Hurricanes Relieve Paul Maurice of Coaching Duties

[boney]

Maurice fired, Kirk Muller hired, it’s OK to be jealous of Carolina

The only reasons Kirk Muller isn't already a head coach in the National Hockey League are (a) because he isn't the strongest interviewer, according to sources, and (b) because teams with openings last summer wanted someone with head coaching experience.

Apparently, two months in the AHL were all it took for Muller to find his sea legs. He arrives in Raleigh as, arguably, the best (former) NHL assistant coach that's yet to get his shot in the big chair.

Rutherford could have played it safe, staying within the family with a Dave Lewis or a Ron Francis — perhaps he even attempted to do so. But in hiring Muller, he makes a smart, bold move that should have other fan bases a little jealous — especially in Montreal.

He's a rising star, and this is akin to an NFL team hiring a whiz-kid coordinator to take over as head coach. Now it's just a matter of whether he's Mike McCarthy or Josh McDaniels.