Pressed into a job right before training camp, Pascal Vincent had no time to put a schedule together as he was thrown to the wolves. New team president of hockey operations / GM Don Waddell fired Vincent after one season as head coach. That should come as no surprise as most new front office changes include coaching changes. At 27-43-12 last season bringing Vincent back would have been viewed as a status quo move.
The Columbus Blue Jackets said the search for a new head coach begins immediately. With a low bar and high talent the Blue Jackets job becomes very attractive. This is the fourth coach in four summers for Columbus: Brad Larsen (2021-23), Mike Babcock (2023-23), and Pascal Vincent (2023-24). The Blue Jackets are hoping Waddell will bring some much-needed stability with a new coach.
The move comes with the 2024 NHL Entry Level Draft right around the corner and right after Patrik Laine asked for a trade. No word on whether Vincent was a factor in Laine asking for a trade as he had become frustrated during the season in which he played just 18 games.
Stability is needed as noted; the Blue Jackets were the youngest team in the NHL, and veteran players and a coach who can both develop young players as well as allow veterans to play without handcuffing them would go a long way in setting a better course for the organization.
This is a new dawn for the Columbus Blue Jackets. A new president of hockey operations / GM and now a new head coach with a very good pool of prospects. This is a developing story so no list of possible candidates to be interviewed yet.