Morning Notes: Davidge, Vatrano, Bennett

Yesterday, the Columbus Blue Jackets somberly announced that former scout, radio, and TV analyst Bill Davidge passed away at the age of 72. Davidge last worked for the Blue Jackets in the 2018-19 season.

Although born in Dunnville, Ontario, Davidge had significant connections to Ohio. In the mid-1970s, Davidge spent his collegiate days at The Ohio State University, scoring 45 goals and 101 points in 114 games, while serving as the team’s captain during the 1976-77 campaign. Additionally, after his playing days ended, Davidge spent many years as an assistant coach for Miami University of Ohio before becoming the team’s head coach from 1985 to 1989.

In their announcement of his passing, the Blue Jackets said, “Our organization has never known a greater advocate or ambassador for our team and sport than Bill. If the Blue Jackets were somewhere in the community, there was a good chance Bill was there. And he was making an impact. There were no strangers in his world, only friends.”

Additional morning notes:

• Despite having nearly $41MM in cap space heading into the summer, the Anaheim Ducks may come relatively close to the upper limit of the salary cap after inking new contracts with Cutter Gauthier, Leo Carlsson, Pavel Mintyukov, and Olen Zellweger, among others. Should they need additional breathing room, Patrick Present of The Hockey News opined that the team could look to move Frank Vatrano, who is making just north of $4.5MM through the 2027-28 campaign. Vatrano, 32, is an obvious trade candidate after a year in which he only totalled nine points, but that could equally make him more difficult to move.
• According to a team announcement, the New York Islanders have parted ways with assistant coach Ray Bennett. Bennett, 64, has a lengthy history as an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Kings, St. Louis Blues, Colorado Avalanche, and Islanders. As assistant coach, Bennett was tasked with leading New York’s power play, one that finished 30th in the league with a 16.53% success rate.