Hurricanes: Five Unanswered Questions from a Forgettable January

RALEIGH, NC - JANUARY 31: Carolina Hurricanes Left Wing Andrei Svechnikov (37) skates after Carolina Hurricanes Defenceman Brett Pesce (22) during a game between the Carolina Hurricanes and the Las Vegas Golden Knights on January 31, 2020 at the PNC Arena in Raleigh, NC. (Photo by Greg Thompson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NC - JANUARY 31: Carolina Hurricanes Left Wing Andrei Svechnikov (37) skates after Carolina Hurricanes Defenceman Brett Pesce (22) during a game between the Carolina Hurricanes and the Las Vegas Golden Knights on January 31, 2020 at the PNC Arena in Raleigh, NC. (Photo by Greg Thompson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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TORONTO, ON – DECEMBER 23: Erik Haula #56 of the Carolina Hurricanes sets for a face-off against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the third period at the Scotiabank Arena on December 23, 2019 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Kevin Sousa/NHLI via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON – DECEMBER 23: Erik Haula #56 of the Carolina Hurricanes sets for a face-off against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the third period at the Scotiabank Arena on December 23, 2019 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Kevin Sousa/NHLI via Getty Images) /

What is going on with Erik Haula in the Locker Room?

Noone wants to hear that one of their better players is having a riff with their head coach, especially a coach that is as likeable as Rod Brind’amour. Unfortunately that is exactly what has been reported between Erik Haula and Rod.

With him back healthy and returned to the lineup in a more permanent manner, there seems to be an inconsistency between him and the coach that may or may not have led to him being the healthy scratch upon William’s first return to the game. Haula returned to the lineup the very next game and there are no longer any more of these rumors but it has been confirmed as happened at least once.

That has opened a door towards many questions. With Haula going to free agency in the upcoming summer and his injury a seemingly nagging issue, one of the biggest questions was if he was going to be on the trading block. The recent riff has fueled those speculations further with many wondering if he would be happier on a different team.

Perhaps the team will not make a move on him and see if he can work himself towards getting a new contract in the summer with any team. Perhaps the Hurricanes are happy to simply stand pat with the roster and hope all those with expiring contracts all compete for a new one soon.

Either way, the question remains the same, is Erik Haula happy being a Carolina Hurricane? Or does the former Finnasotain wish to move on from North Finnolina?