Fans are losing it over the Carolina Hurricanes' latest move

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David St-Jean
May 24, 2026  (5:59 PM)

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Photo credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images

The Carolina Hurricanes have informed their Game 1 anthem singer, who performed part of O Canada in French, that his services won't be needed for the rest of the series against the Montreal Canadiens.

The story landed Sunday morning, less than 48 hours before Game 3 drops at the Bell Centre. The timing is, well, something.

Carolina lost Game 1 at home 6-2. That's the night the bilingual rendition was performed. By Game 2 on Saturday, the Hurricanes had switched singers and won 3-2 in overtime to even the Eastern Conference Final at 1-1.

Greer posted a thank-you note confirming the Hurricanes are sticking with one anthem singer for the remainder of the series. Read between the lines.

Now picture the optics. Carolina arrives in Montreal for Game 3 having quietly dropped the French-singing performer after a single bad result. In a series against the Canadiens. In May.

You don't have to be a marketing genius to see the problem.

The hockey side already had pressure. The Canadiens stunned Carolina 6-2 on home ice to open the series, then forced overtime in Game 2 before falling.

This is a Hurricanes team that finished 53-22-7 with 113 points, second overall in the league. They went 7-2-1 in their last 10 of the regular season. They are not supposed to be sweating.

But they are. Carolina's home record was 29-10-2 during the regular season, and Montreal already stole one of those rare Raleigh losses in Game 1.

Now Brind'Amour's group flies north for two games at the Bell Centre, where every empty beat between O Canada lines will be a story.

Was this really the moment to make an anthem decision public? On the morning of the trip to Quebec?

Eric Tulsky's front office has navigated tough rooms before. This one has nothing to do with the blue line, the penalty kill, or the top six. It's pure optics, and it's bad.

The post that broke the story has already passed 38,000 views in hours. The original Anthony Martineau tweet:

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Mason Greer's note framed it kindly. The Hurricanes haven't said a word publicly. That silence is going to follow the team plane.

Game 3 puck drop is Monday in Montreal. The anthem will be the first thing every camera in the building is locked on.

Previously

New details reveal Oilers and Canucks are preparing a monster trade

Jared Bednar sparks panic with alarming Cale Makar update before Game 3

New detail reveal Stan Bowman is preparing a blockbuster trade

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1 HOUR AGO   |   108 ANSWERS Fans are losing it over the Carolina Hurricanes' latest move Did the Hurricanes make a mistake dropping the bilingual anthem singer before heading to Montreal?

▢    Yes

▢    No

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