A Season of Struggles
The 2022-23 NHL season was a challenging one for the Columbus Blue Jackets. Under the leadership of head coach Pascal Vincent, the team struggled significantly, finishing with a dismal 27-43-12 record. This left them at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings and with the fourth-fewest points in the entire NHL.
The Blue Jackets missed the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season. November was particularly brutal for the team, during which they endured nine straight losses and only managed to win three out of their 15 games. The team also experienced a series of eight separate three-game losing streaks, culminating in a four-game spiral from April 7 through April 13.
Defensive troubles plagued the Blue Jackets, as they allowed the second-most goals per game in the league. Offensively, their power play was the second worst, and their penalty kill ranked in the bottom 10. The team also struggled to score, managing just the 24th fewest goals per game in the league.
Leadership Changes
The Blue Jackets knew a change was necessary, which led to significant shifts in their leadership. In February, the organization parted ways with General Manager Jarmo Kekalainen, who had been with the team since the 2012-13 season. By May, the Blue Jackets had brought in Don Waddell to fill the roles of General Manager and President of Hockey Operations. Waddell, the former GM of the Carolina Hurricanes, was tasked with steering the team in a new direction.
One of Waddell's immediate challenges was addressing the head coaching position. Vincent's journey with the Blue Jackets began in the 2021-22 season, initially as an assistant coach. He was promoted to head coach under unusual and unfortunate circumstances following the resignation of Mike Babcock less than a month before the regular season began. Babcock stepped down amid allegations of violating players' privacy.
Vincent's Short Tenure
Despite the team's struggles, Vincent was commended for his dedication and hard work under the trying circumstances he faced. His promotion to head coach was unexpected, and he gave his best efforts to lead the team. "As I spent time with Pascal over the past few weeks," Waddell mentioned, "I found him to be an outstanding person and smart hockey coach who worked very hard under trying circumstances."
However, it became clear that a change was necessary for the Blue Jackets. Waddell stated, "But I believe a change behind the bench is in our team's best interest. On behalf of our organization, I want to thank Pascal for his work ethic, professionalism, and contributions during his three seasons with the Blue Jackets."
Looking Forward
The Blue Jackets currently remain the only NHL team with a head coaching vacancy. In contrast, eight other teams have either hired a new coach or promoted an interim coach to a permanent role, with the most recent addition being Ryan Warsofsky with the San Jose Sharks. The incoming head coach of the Blue Jackets will face the immense challenge of revamping the squad and addressing multiple areas in need of improvement.
For the loyal fans of the Blue Jackets, there is a mix of cautious optimism and hopeful anticipation. The franchise is set to embark on a new chapter, with aspirations of restoring past glories and achieving renewed success. The Blue Jackets and their supporters are fervently looking forward to what the future holds, trusting that the new leadership will bring positive changes and revitalization to the team.