The Blue Jackets continue to have the lone head coaching vacancy in the NHL following last month’s dismissal of Pascal Vincent. Aaron Portzline of The Athletic reports (subscription link) that a decision on a new bench boss is expected this week with Todd McLellan, Jay Woodcroft, and Dean Evason believed to be among the remaining finalists. Last month, McLellan was suggested to be the front-runner for the position. There has been a lot of turnover behind the bench in Columbus in recent years. Since John Tortorella was let go in 2021, they’ve gone through three head coaches since, Brad Larsen (two years), Mike Babcock (who resigned before coaching a single game), and Vincent, who only had one season before being let go.
More from Columbus:
- Also from Portzline’s piece, winger Patrik Laine has not yet been cleared from the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance program. While Columbus can trade him while he’s in the program, GM Don Waddell previously indicated that teams want to speak to Laine before considering putting an offer in for his services. Those conversations can’t happen until he’s cleared. The 26-year-old was limited to just nine points in 18 games last season and has two years left on his contract with an $8.7MM cap hit along with a 10-team no-trade list.
- Prospect Jordan Dumais might not be cleared to fully participate in training camp in September, relays Brian Hedger of The Columbus Dispatch. The 20-year-old was a dominant scorer in the QMJHL, putting up 140 points in 64 games in 2022-23 and had 47 in 21 games last season before being shut down midseason to undergo hip surgery. Dumais will be AHL-eligible for the first time in 2024-25 and stands to play a big role with AHL Cleveland next season when he’s fully cleared to play.
- Speaking of Cleveland, they announced the re-signing of winger Stefan Matteau to a one-year deal. The 30-year-old previously spent two years with them back in 2019-20 and 2020-21 before going to Colorado but returned on a minor league deal last season where he had six points in 15 regular season games before adding seven more in 14 playoff contests. Matteau, a 2012 first-round pick, has 92 career NHL appearances under his belt with a total of 11 points.
Laine for Rakell straight up, who says no?
Less term but more money for Laine, less money but more term for Rakell. High ceiling for a high floor.
As a pens fan I would take this deal every day of the week.
Blue Jackets should hire Babcock.
Isn’t Laine the Josh Gordon of the NHL? At what point do you just throw up your hands and say It’s just not worth the trouble anymore?
Comparing him to a guy who was suspended five times by the NFL for substance abuse? Where do you come up with this stuff?
I just meant in terms of him being a big distraction, Huge disappointment and general pain in everyone’s a**, But OK.