This slipped through the cracks last week, but it should be noted that Peter Laviolette is making his return to coaching the same way he did the last time he was fired from an NHL job.

USA Hockey announced Thursday that Laviolette would coach a team of Europe-based pros in the Deutschland Cup, a relatively minor international tournament but one with great significance for Laviolette.

The Hurricanes sit today at 33-27-5, effectively two points out of the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. They hope Wednesday's trade for Erik Cole will help them close the gap. A little statistical analysis shows what a tall order it's going to be.

Six weeks into Paul Maurice’s tenure in charge of the Carolina Hurricanes, it’s clear that he’s made some progress — but not nearly enough.

RALEIGH — After the morning skate Saturday at the RBC Center, new Hurricanes coach Paul Maurice managed expectations for Saturday night's home game against the Philadelphia Flyers.

"We cannot look at this as if we win this game tonight, all is right with our team and our world," said Maurice. "This has to be a progression of where we want to get to consistently. And the one thing we've talked about now is the consistency is the area we have to get to."

RALEIGH — Former Carolina Hurricanes coach Peter Laviolette, fired by the team Wednesday, held a press conference Friday afternoon at Rey's Restaurant.

He thanked the media, the community, the players, the organization and the fans, and appeared relaxed.

Wearing his Stanley Cup championship ring, he said he'd always take that experience with him.

From Talking Points: 

Amid all the talk Wednesday of how Paul Maurice intends to retain the attacking philosophy used by Peter Laviolette, fans should be aware of what's happening in Albany.

Four weeks ago, with the River Rats 2-7-2-1, Albany coach Jeff Daniels switched from the system used by Laviolette in Carolina to a more defensive system — one forechecker instead of two; defensemen on a leash, not given free license to pinch in the offensive zone.

Read more here.

From Talking Points:

Peter Laviolette's time with the Hurricanes may have expired, but he shouldn't have to wait long for his next job.

His resume — playoff berths in his first full season with two long-struggling franchises as well as NHL and AHL titles — speaks for itself.

Read more here.

Peter Laviolette's time with the Hurricanes may have expired, but he shouldn't have to wait long for his next job.

His resume — playoff berths in his first full season with two long-struggling franchises as well as NHL and AHL titles — speaks for itself.

Staff video by Travis Long

Jim Rutherford, Hurricanes president and general manager, announced Wednesday Dec. 3, 2008 that head coach Peter Laviolette has been relieved of ... more