While the search for the next general manager of the Wild is expected to advance into the next stage this week, one top candidate pulled himself out of the running Monday.



Don Waddell, the current president and GM of the Carolina Hurricanes, called Wild owner Craig Leipold late Monday morning to officially back out of the process. After a weekend of contemplation, Waddell met with his own owner, Tom Dundon, and negotiated a new three-year contract to remain in Raleigh.



Dundon is not a fan of signing his employees to contracts, saying Monday, “I understand that I’m alone on this one, but that’s how I feel. … Contracts don’t help me that much, candidly, but given the situation we’re in, it made everybody more comfortable that we just did it. … I’m glad this makes everybody feel better.”



Even though Waddell’s contract expired June 30, Dundon wasn’t worried about Waddell’s future until it...