Well looks like Don Waddell has finally concluded his weekly news frenzy. Today the announcement of his hiring was made official by the Columbus Blue Jackets organization. The Don Waddell news reel goes back four days now, from his original resignation with the Carolina Hurricanes. The following day the report surfaced that he would be working with Columbus, however, it wasn’t made official until today. Furthermore, he was named the President of Hockey Operations, the General Manager, and also will become an alternate governor. This really gives Waddell the chance to keep his reputation up as a great mind on the business of hockey.
DONE DEAL‼️
We have signed Don Waddell to a multi-year contract to serve as our club’s president of hockey operations, general manager and alternate governor.
Please join us in welcoming Don to the #CBJ Family!
📝https://t.co/PfDuyo3KX5 pic.twitter.com/PveTYyQ2kw
— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) May 28, 2024
Don Waddell Will Become the 14th Blue Jacket GM
Along with his other titles as a member of the Columbus Blue Jackets organization, Don Waddell will be the club’s GM. He comes in after Jarmo Kekalainen was relieved of his duties in mid-February of this past season. John Davidson, a competent NHL executive himself, did take over, but it was known to be just in an interim capacity. Davidson is currently a senior advisor himself with the Blue Jackets, and is also, like Waddell, an alternate governor.
Waddell will look to turn the Blue Jackets franchise around. The Blue Jackets are loaded with potential and have the fourth overall pick in this year’s draft as well. Their previous three top first round picks, were all between third and sixth. They were Adam Fantilli, David Jiricek, and Kent Johnson. The Waddell staff’s job will be to see if they can development these type of players, similar to what he did in Carolina. And also, encourage the right mix of veterans to join the club, they could have a perennial playoff contender brewing on their hands.
How Did Waddell Get to This Point of His Career
As we mentioned, Don Waddell is a savvy business man and great hockey mind. He was most recently serving as the Carolina Hurricanes President and General Manager. That is a title he had held since 2018. Moreover, in his time with Carolina, he had been extremely successful. Waddell turned the organization into a winner, and more recently a Stanley Cup contender. Before Waddell came in to Carolina, they had missed the playoffs nine years in a row. Within his first year with the club, he brought in names like Dougie Hamilton or Nino Niederreiter to stock up the lineup. Also, he brought in a new goaltender tandem featuring Petr Mrazek and Curtis McElhinney. The team had a combined .910 SV% and a 2.55 GAA that year.
Not necessary eye-popping moves, but great hockey ones. Since that time, the Canes made the playoffs every year, reaching the Eastern Conference Finals twice in the six years. Waddell also served as the longtime GM of the Atlanta Thrashers team. He was there for 11 seasons, but only managed one post-season appearance.
A Day After His Resignation, Don Waddell is Reportedly Announced with a New Club
Main photo credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
