Welcome to this edition of NHL rumours from our staff at Last Word. This time we continue to delve into the head coach search currently underway by Don Waddell for the Columbus Blue Jackets. It was a bit of an arduous process in even hiring Waddell himself, but now the need a bench boss. Don Waddell currently holds down the roles of president of hockey operations and general manager for Columbus. He was brought on-board in late May after announcing his resignation from the Carolina Hurricanes management staff less than a week prior to his Columbus hiring. What’s important right now, is that he is currently assigned the task of finding the Columbus Blue Jackets a new bench boss.
The Athletic: Blue Jackets Sunday Gathering
1. #CBJ coaching update: two candidates will travel to Columbus
2. Rick Nash’s growing role
3. Jet’s set for NHL future
4. Snacks: RFA Kirill Marchenko seeking long-term deal, Patrik Laine update, CBJ triviahttps://t.co/Uj1uEAvw3l— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) July 14, 2024
NHL Rumours
Columbus Blue Jackets Head Coach Search
You know the hiring will be completed soon when you read a reply about, extending the head coach search into August, simply as “Not a chance.” GM Don Waddell’s words were few, but exactly that, on whether he wants the head coach search to linger. The Blue Jackets thought they were close on Todd McLellan, however, that potential deal fell through in the end. But how did the Blue Jackets organization even arrive at this point? That is, after the Waddell hiring initially.
Waddell has been very active in his short time in Columbus, and it will be interesting to have a crystal ball to see what will materialize from them. They haven’t been flashy moves, but they’ve been savvy business ones. The very type that Waddell is renowned for throughout his professional career. Small moves like re-signing Yegor Chinakhov or trading away Alexandre Texier have been completed. Conversely, big moves have also been made, like the firing of previous Head Coach Pascal Vincent. Waddell takes his job extremely serious. Additionally, he won’t be caught idle through the offseason, as other teams beef up their stock.
Narrowing in on the Two, Potentially Final, Candidates
For now, this rendition of the NHL rumours, the two candidates that have flown to Columbus, as per Aaron Portzline, are none other than Dean Evason and Jay Woodcroft. Both could be strong or ideal candidates in their own rights. Evason built a team of similarly skilled forwards, and combined that with playing tight defensively, to a tough team to play against for the Minnesota Wild during his tenure. In that time with the Wild, through 251 games, Evason compiled a .639 winning percentage. Furthermore, the talent is there in Columbus. He would just need to bring it out, and then work on the defensive side of the puck.
As for Jay Woodcroft rumours, his coaching abilities at the NHL level are yet to be determined. Imagine having a .643 winning percentage through only 133 regular season games coached, and not being good enough. Expectations were (and still are) sky-high for the Edmonton Oilers. Moreover, this opportunity could spell just the relieve Woodcroft needs. The pressure was immense in Edmonton, and to be given a few years to grow a talented group into winners, could be just what Woodcroft needs for his coaching career.
The Columbus Blue Jackets Have Their GM Replacement for Kekalainen
Whichever direction the search takes Waddell, based on the historical evidence one thing is for sure, that it will be a smart decision. Just who will the Blue Jackets hire to be their head coach? NHL experience or not. You’d think with someone of Waddell’s level of accountability, the former (NHL experience), would be preferred. Hence, the two candidates mentioned above.
Main photo credit: Walter Tychnowicz-USA TODAY Sports
