Carolina Hurricanes head coach Bill Peters has used a unique opt-out clause in his contract and will leave the team to explore other coaching opportunities, per Sportscentre.

The 51-year-old previously worked with the Detroit Red Wings as an assistant coach, and was hired to become Carolina's next bench boss for the 2014-15 season. However, Peters only compiled a 137-138-53 record, and the Hurricanes finished no higher than sixth in the Metropolitan Division over those two years.

Carolina hasn't made the playoffs since the 2008-09 season, but there will be plenty of viable options to fill the void Peters left behind. Alain Vigneault, Darryl Sutter and Bob Hartley are among the top coaching candidates available.

With Peters exercising his opt-out clause, it has to mean he's fairly confident that another job opportunity is lined up. Multiple reports have tied him to joining the Calgary Flames, and there is good reason to see why Peters would go there.

He is a native of Three Hills, Alta. It's also worth noting that Flames general manager Brad Treliving worked with Peters at the 2016 World Hockey Championships, and the latter will once again be leading Canada into this year's tournament.

If not the Flames, there are only tw0 other coaching vacancies. One is the New York Rangers, who fired the aforementioned Alain Vigneault after a five-year tenure. The other is the Dallas Stars, with Ken Hitchcock retiring and choosing to stay on in the organization as a consultant.

Mar 22, 2018; Raleigh, NC, USA; Carolina Hurricanes head coach Bill Peters reacts from behind the players bench against the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena. The Carolina Hurricanes defeated the Arizona Coyotes 6-5. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports

But a handful of head coaches in the playoffs could be on the hot seat. This may include Randy Carlyle (his Anaheim Ducks were just eliminated by the San Jose Sharks in a four-game sweep), Bruce Boudreau (Minnesota Wild), and Barry Trotz (Washington Capitals), among others.

Peters should have no problem finding other head coaching gig very soon, but the Hurricanes may take their time on choosing their next bench boss.

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