Tag: John Davidson

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The Columbus Blue Jackets must hire the right coach

Todd Richards, John Tortorella, Brad Larsen, the past three Columbus Blue Jackets head coaches. Of the trio only Tortorella found some success leading the Blue Jackets to the franchises only playoff series win. Saturday, the team fired Brad Larsen and now GM, Jarmo Kekalainen and President of Hockey Operations, John Davidson must hire the right head coach, for the remainder of reset the team is currently under and when they are finished and ready to compete for a playoff spot.

Fans should be prepared while the coaching search is developing to hear names like; Bruce Boudreau, Peter Laviolette, Alain Vigneault, and others. Only Kekalainen and Davidson know who they are targeting and who they want behind the bench.

TORONTO, CANADA – APRIL 4: Kirill Marchenko #86 of the Columbus Blue Jackets skates against the Toronto Maple Leafs during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on April 4, 2023 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Blue Jackets 4-2. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)

Yet, no matter if it is a coaching retread or a new face, it must be the right fit. The Blue Jackets have one of the better prospect pools and they team is young. Players like Kirill Marchenko and Kent Johnson are still developing next season top prospect David Jiricek will be in the mix for a roster spot. So needless to say, the next head coach must be able to develop young players.

The Blue Jackets badly need a stabilizing head coach. One that can develop young players and get veterans to produce more. That in and of itself is the trick. The timing of firing a coach is never good. The team is preparing for the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, mapping out an offseason game plan and now looking for a new head coach.

September 16 2015: John Davidson President of Hockey Operations of the Columbus Blue Jackets talking to media during Media Day held by the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena in Columbus Ohio (Photo by Jason Mowry/Icon Sportswire/Corbis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

With a new head coach the question is will he retain any of the leftover coaches? That does not generally happen. A coach wants coaches they have worked with so while it is possible, do not hold your breath.

Jarmo Kekalainen also stated that some changes will be coming as he wants to get the team back into the playoffs. Just what those changes are one can only guess.

It is going to be an interesting spring and summer in Columbus not too mention busy.

 

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The Columbus Blue Jackets bring back John Davidson as President of team operations

It is happening. John Davidson is returning to the Columbus Blue Jackets, completing the homecoming Blue Jackets fans wanted to see. The news was broken by Brian Hedger and Michael Arace of the Columbus Dispatch. Davidson who left the Blue Jackets after the 2019 season to take the same position with the New York Rangers was surprisingly fired after just two seasons in New York.

John Davidson (JD, as known in NHL circles) helped to build the Columbus Blue Jackets into a playoff team. His “brick by brick” mantra was well received by the Blue Jackets fan base and the team embraced it as well.

COLUMBUS, OH – SEPTEMBER 11: President of Hockey Operations John Davidson of the Columbus Blue Jackets poses for his headshot on September 11, 2014 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/NHLI via Getty Images)

Davidson is a giant in the NHL and is highly regarded throughout the league which is why his firing sent shock waves through the NHL. Building a bottom feeder in Columbus into a playoff team endeared him to the city of Columbus Ohio.

The fact is a man with the stature of Davidson has help the Blue Jackets attract free agents as well as gets players to sign extensions. That will surly happen again. This time the Blue Jackets have more salary cap space. They also have players that need contracts such as Seth Jones.

In more good news the Blue Jackets have extended John Davidson’s right hand man and the person he hand picked as General Manager, Jarmo Kekalainen. The two worked so well in the past the Blue Jackets are banking on the two continuing their solid work.

NEWARK, NJ – JUNE 30: President of Hockey Operations John Davidson of the Columbus Blue Jackets sits with general Manager Jarmo Kekalainen during the 2013 NHL Draft at Prudential Center on June 30, 2013 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Dave Sandford/NHLI via Getty Images)

Blue Jackets team President Mike Priest said of both Davidson and Kekalainen, “John Davidson and Jarmo Kekalainen worked tirelessly and effectively together to transform our hockey club from a team with one Stanley Cup Playoffs appearance in 12 seasons to one that reached the postseason five times in seven years from 2013-20.”

In Columbus Ohio for the rabid Blue Jackets fan base it has been a very good fulfilling 24 hours. The offseason has started with a bang.